- So? How is he, doctor?

- It's hard to tell ma'am...It looks like he's in a deep coma, however I can't figure out "why". His injuries were not serious enough to cause one...

A middle-aged man in medical gear settled back into the chair provided for him, looking grim. He had just examined the body of the 11th Top Ranger, who was still lying in his bed. Except that he never woke up.

The doctor then turned his gaze toward the figure seating in a far corner of the room. This was the 12th Top Ranger, biting his lips while curled up on himself. Beside him were his partner and Fischl who were listening in a religious silence.

- Tell me kid. Did your friend behave strangely before...This happened?

The redhead jumped, visibly taken aback, then raised his crimson gaze toward the adult, tears accumulating in the corners of his eyes, threatening to spill at any moment.

- I-I....I-I don't know...! He was feverish when he woke up s-sure, but nothing seemed abnormal...!

The teen gasped, barely holding back a loud sob in his throat, causing Sapphire to wince and rub his cheek against his.

- { Shh~ Calm down Keith, calm down. It's nothing, it's not your fault. You couldn't foresee what was going to happen. So calm down okay? Breathe, and resume.}

The otter whispered softly in the boy's ear, making sure he was listening. The latter nodded slightly while sniffling. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves somewhat.

-...He...He was affectionate, as usual. Hum...He was hurt, but that was to be expected....Oh, and he...Hum, was afraid of being alone? I don't know why, but he didn't want me to go. Well, it wasn't the first time he wanted to keep someone close to him, so I didn't really pay it any mind.

He paused, searching for his words and avoiding the insistent gaze of the adults.

-...But his eyes, they looked so...Desperate. He wanted to make sure that I wouldn't disappear once he fell asleep. Sounded like a typical reaction to a nightmare or something...Except with what happened recently...I didn't dig more. Maybe I should have...

Keith lowered his head, ashamed of not having been able to notice the catastrophic state of the brunet. What a pathetic excuse of a boyfriend!

He felt a hand land on his head and tensed abruptly, momentarily catching his breath.

- I see...Thank you for your bravery and honesty, kid.

- Y-You're welcome.....I guess...?

The doctor, who had approached, gently ruffled the red hair, while taking note of the peculiar reaction of the teenager. The latter also involuntarily took a breath of air when the man withdrew his hand.

- It would seem that this coma is the result of a mixture of intense fatigue and trauma... Which raises other questions: what trauma, and why now?

The adult slowly tapped his chin with his index, while staring at the floor, lost in thought. Meanwhile, the woman with strawberry blonde hair approached the 12th Top Ranger and sat down next to him, startling him violently.

- Oh, I'm sorry, little one. Did I scare you?

- I-I-It's nothing, ma'am!

The redhead hastened to put a smile on his face, hoping to reassure the mother who sighed for a long time. A moment of silence passed before the adult decided to break it.

- Tell me, this bracelet....Did you give it to him?

Keith suddenly turned scarlet, and jerked his head to the side, refusing to look at the oldest woman in the eyes. Eh? Since when was he so shy...?

An amused chuckle from the woman caught his attention, snapping him out of his chaotic thoughts.

- I knew it, it was you! Aw...That's really sweet of you.

The teen hid his face, clearly embarrassed which caused another chuckle from the older woman. The latter gently passed her hand through the red hair, as if to reassure it's owner. He dared to glance in her direction.

- You know....Kellyn loves this bracelet.

-...H-Huh?

- When he came home after your graduation ceremony...He was beaming with happiness. I asked him why and that's when he simply showed me the jewelry hanging from his wrist.

The woman smiled at the memory of her son staring at his bracelet like it was the most precious thing in the world.

- I...I've never seen him so happy after receiving a present. Usually he's embarrassed, and doesn't know what to do, but this time...His reaction was euphoric. So much joy emanated from him...It was surreal.

She gave a big smile to the boy who couldn't believe his ears. Suddenly, she took him in her arms and gave him a big hug, freezing him on the spot.

- I have to thank you...For making my son smile like that. For giving him so much joy. Finally....Finally there was no longer that eternal sad expression on his face...!

Sobs escaped the mother's throat, making the Top Ranger realize that this statement was painfully real. He then decided to remain silent, allowing the strawberry blonde to evacuate her pain.

She calmed down after a moment, then pulled away from the redhead and watched his expression.

-...Kellyn and you have a lot in common, you know?

The teen tilted his head to the side, one eyebrow raised.

- Really...?

- Humhum~ Whether it's him or you....You carry a weight far too heavy on your shoulders. You hardly ever ask for any help....Always unwilling to disturb those around you...You suffer in silence and don't hesitate to help those in need.

The woman whispered her words slowly before ending her speech in a light breath. She stared sadly at the floor and the boy felt guilt settle deep inside his innards.

Except that the mother did not let him blame himself for long.

- But, it's not your fault. It's the world around you that has made you this way. Sometimes we forget that you are still children. Children who have been given adult responsibilities.

The older woman's face softened considerably as she tenderly caressed the top of the red-haired boy's head.

-...Would you like to stay with us? While Kellyn recovers? I'm sure he would feel better with you here.

Crimson pupils widened suddenly, as the proposal had caught their owner off guard.

- I can...?

The adult nodded slowly, a loving smile on her face.

- Yes of course. I know that you have a kind heart, and that my son appreciates you very much. Honestly, I think he loves you way more than all of us in this family, haha!

The teenager felt his cheeks take again a pretty pink color, while his expression softened. So he was that dear to Kellyn's heart?....So cute~

- I....I would love to, madam. W-Well...If you don't mind, of course.

- I wouldn't propose it if it bothered me, right? Haha, you're a very anxious child!

The 2 laughed more or less intensely at their stupidity, making the Top Ranger relax and smile sincerely. However, this state of joy didn't last long since the door of the room was suddenly violently pushed, surprising all the people in the room.

Everyone, except the doctor, who contented himself with a jaded expression as well as a bored tone.

-...It seems that manners are always an option with you, Rosalia.

The woman, going by the name of Rosalia, ran a distracted hand through her long burgundy hair, seeming to ignore the doctor's criticism.

- And you're way too stuck, Al. You know, if you keep frowning like that, you're going to end up wrinkled before having gray hair!

One of the man's eyebrows twitched, though his face remained neutral.

-...Why did I call you, already...?

- Because I'm the only one who agrees to do you a favor without asking to be paid in return. Anyway, I guess the kid lying there is today's patient?

Barely awaiting the response from the other adult, she approached the brunet and immediately sat down beside him. The lady placed one of her hands on the patient's forehead while the other remained against her chest and formed a sort of sign. She then began to close her eyes while mumbling in an incomprehensible language.

It was then that the father came out of his trance and walked towards the stranger, his fists clenched. However, he was immediately stopped by the doctor who challenged him with a glare.

- I suggest you don't interrupt her, sir. She is rude, that's a fact, but she knows what she is doing, trust me.

The 2 men stared at each other for a long moment, completely oblivious to the presence of the other people in the room. Good, because Kellyn's mother seemed to be on the verge of implosion.

-...Haha!

- You found something?!

The strawberry blonde rushed to the witch's side, followed closely by the redhead who barely refrained himself from asking more.

- It seems that our Sleeping Beauty has received a magnificent Black Hole from Darkrai.

-...W-What...?

- The symptoms don't deceive, he is trapped inside his nightmarish world. And he can't get out of there on his own.

The mother remained stunned for a few seconds, only "awakened" by the teenager who shook her slightly, worried.

-...You...Y-You mean that my son is...Trapped forever in a nightmare? Please tell me it's a joke!

- I wish that was the case, madam. Unfortunately, I have already seen this case too many times to know how to identify a victim.

The youngest of the women bursted into tears, understanding the involvement of the oldest one. There was nothing to do. The one with crimson eyes, after a moment of hesitation, dared to ask a question:

- Is...I-Is there really nothing we can do...?

- Unless you know where to find Cresselia, it's useless. Only her Lunar Wings are able to break Darkrai's curse.

....Wait. What?

-...Cresselia?

- Yup, Cresselia. The Lunar Pokemon and counterpart of Darkrai. No one really knows where to find her...Some say she resides on an island near Sinnoh, others say she is a nomad. So much for a useful info...

As the witch grumbled at the uselessness of the information she had received, she was abruptly interrupted by Keith.

- I can! I-I can find her! I...I know where she is...!

The Top Ranger's eyes blazed with determination and hope, surprising both the lady and Kellyn's mother.

- You...Know?

- Yeah! I...I had to face her not long ago. I just hope she's still there...

The redhead mumbled in his nonexistent beard, more to himself than anything, before finding himself trapped in a desperate embrace. Raising his eyes quickly, because he was on his guard, he met the tearful pupils of the strawberry blonde.

She said nothing, but her silence was golden, and the teenager knew it very well.

- I'll save him. I promise you.

-...Don't overdo it. You haven't fully recovered yet, and your body must remind you quite frequently.

The boy let out a "Tss" from the back of his throat and turned his head away, knowing full well that the adult was right. He jumped when the woman put her hand on his hair reassuringly.

- Just do your best, okay? And don't worry if you fail, the fact that you try is already huge. I know from a reliable source that Kellyn is thrilled to know that you are able to do this for him.

The lady gently rubbed the thick mop of hair, giving it's owner time to register the information. Said owner who shed a lonely tear, surprising the older of the two.

- K-Keith? What's going on little one-

- I-I...I can...Fail?

The remark took the mother by surprise.

- What- Of course you can! Humans aren't robots after all, especially not kids of your age.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. Why would a teenager of his age ask such a question? Unfortunately, she didn't have the time to question him further as he had already dried his tears and was preparing to leave.

- I understand. Thank you for this...Precious advice. I'll make good use of it. Sapph, Fischl. Let's go.

And he left, closely followed by the 2 Pokemons who didn't hesitate to follow him. Not once had he turned back to the group of adults.

- He's a very strange boy. This constant fear of failing...Where does it come from?

The doctor, who was no longer arguing with the father of the family, approached the witch, who hummed pensively.

- I have a few ideas, but I'm not sure. Only a specialist can decide on the question.

The man nodded slowly before returning his gaze to the comatose teenager.

- Anyway, it is clear that the 2 of them will need a lot of rest and care, once this mess is over.

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Noooooootttt real-l-l-l-l-

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