Last dance

It was a sunny day, and the crisp golden leaves of fall crunched under their feet.
The girl and her Gardevoir, walking side-by-side...




"Come on Gardevoir, we're almost to the next town!"

I turned to my beloved Pokémon and smiled, and she smiled back, hurrying to catch up from catching a few of the still falling leaves.
We walked slowly through the arch of golden-red trees, watching flurries of leaves fall and drift away on the noon winds.
We stepped into the town and looked about.

"Come on, let's stop at the Pokémon centre and get everyone checked."

We walked into the building and I approached nurse Joy who smiled and took my Pokémon.
I watched as she put them on the healing machine.
The normal tune played and she handed back five of my poke balls.

I looked at her curiously.

"I'll be just a minute, your Gardevoir needs to be checked, the machine picked something up, I'm sure it's just something minor"

I felt something in my stomach tighten. I didn't like the feeling I was getting.
I waited and waited and finally Nurse Joy took me into a back room where Gardevoir was sitting on a table, cheerily swinging her legs back and forth before greeting me.

Nurse joy looked at me sadly.

"...I-I'm so sorry.... your Gardevoir has a Pokémon form of Cancer... unfortunately... there's nothing we can do"

I felt my heart shatter and tears began to run down my face.
Gardevoirs legs slowly stopped swinging, and she looked horrified.
I quickly gave her a hug, bringing her close.

"oh Gardevoir... Gardevoir..."

Gardevoir began to sob gently. I took a seat next to her, still holding her close before looking at Nurse Joy.

"p-please... how long does she have...?"

Nurse Joy looked down before looking at me again.

"...not long at all... she could go at any minute..."

I felt my heart again, aching terribly.

Gardevoir... not Gardevoir...  my precious friend... who I've had as long as I can remember...

I watched the clock for a few minutes before standing straight.

"C-come on Gardevoir... if you... if you really could drop at any moment... w-we'll do everything you ever wanted... e-even the musical!"

Gardevoirs face suddenly brightened- she had always loved the musical, always wanted to be in it- she loved dancing.
I couldn't stand the building so we never went... but this one time... I'll do it...

She stood and smiled, wiping the tears off of her face.
We quickly ran out and I sent out my Latias to use fly.
We soon arrived at the town but the Musical building was dark. I walked slowly up to it and my heart sunk at the sign.

Closed.

I turned to Gardevoir sadly, over the past hour her breathing was becoming slightly labored.
We walked into the middle of the forest and sat for a few minutes before I had an idea.

I let out my Meloetta and smiled at Gardevoir.

"Meloetta... sing please? So Gardevoir can dance"

Gardevoir smiled and stood.
Meloettas voice rang clearly through the forest, attracting many people.
Gardevoir danced and swayed gracefully, never missing a single step or faltering.
Eventually she curtsied and the crowd let out applause.
Gardevoir looked up and blushed before looking back to me.
She smiled and elegantly lowered herself to the ground.
A few moments later her breathing ceased and she fell gently onto the grass.

"Gardevoir..."

I felt the tears rolling down my face and the few people who hadn't left looked surprised.
I stood and walked over to Gardevoir, picking her up in my arms.

Her first dance...

Her only dance...


Her last dance...