Gates to a Broken Future Chapter 4: Broken hope

{ :exclamation: Warning: this chapter may be a little darker compared to the rest :exclamation: }

Rose shook her head and sighed. "Now.. What were you both here for?.."

"We wanted to find out the mystery of..well why Ember is here.." Osha tilts his head.

"Wha?.. Huh?" Rose looked confused. "Wait.. I think I know what he's talking about" Aqua sighed. "I'm thinking he's trying to say that Ember is kinda like Leaf in well.. Not being from here normally.." Osha and Ember nodded.

"Ah.. Hm.. I now.. Didn't that get semi solved?.." Rose tilts her head.

"Yeah.. It doesn't really matter too much anymore since he came back" Aqua shrugged. "But maybe you could be the Sprout for these two.. Well.. Without the depressed part" Aqua chuckles, scratching the back of his head a bit.

"Hm.. Yeah.. He'd probably be happy to see me do something he would.. But.. We'd probably need supplies.. Oran berries.. Reviver seeds.. Stun seeds.... And so on and on.." Rose walked off and walked back with two semi large bags. "You two are hereby temporarily guild until.. Well Ember's mystery is solved.."

Osha squealed with joy while Ember just watched.

"Now it's best you both go off and get some supplies in a mystery dungeon.. Those bags should hold about.. 40 items each.. So you both should be fine." Osha and Ember walked off as Rose smiled. "I get this feeling that they'll be fine" Rose froze as she heard flapping from outside. "Huh?.." (It might just be someone flying by..) Those thoughts were immediately discarded as she heard the flapping get louder.. And started to sound frantic..

"Rose!" Pelipper flew in "I told ya if I found anything about Sprout.. I'd get the news to you before anyone else in town and.. You.. Might wanna sit down.." Pelipper sounded somber as he took out a rather large letter.. "Huh?.." Rose took the letter and opened it with great care.. Not sure on why Pelipper was being so somber...

"News on the current whereabouts of Sprout come to a close.." Rose kept reading sounding a little excited.. Until..

"As a..." Rose dropped the letter in horror.."he..." Rose was speechless.. "Huh?.. He what?.." Aqua picked up the letter.. "..oh... Oh Arceus no.... It's been there for months.. Footprints of Palkia were identified on the scene..." Aqua looked just as horrified if not more than Rose..

"I know.. I couldn't believe it myself.. Who'd do such a thing to him.." Pelipper sighed.

"Palkia would.. He's wanted Sprout dead for years.." Aqua was trying to stay strong about this.

Rose was tearing up "H-he..... He's.. Gone..." She started to shake a little.. "I wanted him to be found but.. Not like.. This.." She sat down and curled up.

"I understand Rose.. I wanted him to be alive or at least reviveable... But.. How they found him.. That.. Isn't possible.." Pelipper tears up a bit. "I only knew him for a month.. But In that short time... I understood him.. I'm glad he at least has someone to keep his spirit going.." Pelipper looked at Rose and tried to smile before flying off..

"... Sprout.." Rose's face was drenched in tears.. "Hey.. Rose.. It'll be alright.." Aqua tried to comfort her..

"It... Won't be..." Rose was shaking. "He's not like Leaf... He can't return... He's.. Gone...." Rose started to sob.

Aqua sighed as he heard a couple voices.

"Oh Arceus- Rose!" Hydro ran up and sat down by her.

"This can't be true.. Can it?.." Pollo walked in behind Hydro

"It's sadly true.." Aqua handed Pollo the letter. "... Oh..." Pollo tried to hold his tears back. "Hm?.. Pollo?.." Hydro looked at the letter and froze.. "I.. I should've known it would.. End that way..." Hydro sighed before getting up. "I'll inform everyone.."

Rose sighed. "I.. Think I need some time to myself.." Rose got up and walked off.. Right as it started to rain..

She kept walking, trying to clear her head. (Urf... Why today of all days..)

She sighed.. Sitting down by the edge of a cliff... (Why did he have to go... He... This cruel world...) She froze when she felt something.. "Huh?.." She looked to her side.. To see.. Sprout... "S-sprout!?.." She started to shake. "Hey.. Don't be sad... I know you'll do great in the world without me... I raised you just for when this day came..." Sprout smiled.. Softly.. "B-but..." Rose's face was drenched with tears.. "No.. Rose.. You must be strong... Carry on my legacy..." Sprout soon blew away.. Like he was nothing but dust... "Sprout?.. Sprout.. Please.. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITHOUT YOU AROUND!?" She curled up and started crying. "How Am I supposed to keep going.. Father.."

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