For the rest of his time, Indigo sat along the rolling meadows of Quiet Path, debating what to do. There were many people he could talk to-- his parents, Professor Lukoo, Sydney... But he couldn't bring himself to dial any of them. 

[i][color=8882be]Do I tell my pokemon...?[/color][/i] It would only be a matter of time before they found out. He sighed, burrowing his head between his knees. They would leave him too, wouldn't they? Then who was he going to be left with? His thoughts, however, were interrupted by a buzz in his pocket. It was his pokedex, and straight away Indy could see the text from Dan.

[color=8882be][i]Oh no... That message earlier got sent?! Shoot! Damnit![/i][/color] Dan knew everything now. Indigo had already begun sweating. The whole text had been a jumbled mess of emotions and the very things about him that he hated. Surely, if he hated himself, then other people would too? 

[color=8882be][i]Might as well get it over with...[/i][/color] He began reading the text.

[color=9e005d]its never too late to apologize... hero might not forgive you but its never too late to say sorry. you can be an egghead but you know just as well as any we all make mistakes, its not the mistakes that define us its how we deal with it and move on, just do what you think is right now is all.[/color]

[color=8882be][i]Dan still believes in me... Even after he knows what I did. He still thinks I can be good.[/i][/color] Once again, Indigo's eyes began smarting with tears. [color=8882be][i] If he thinks I can still apologize... Then maybe it's not all lost.[/i][/color]

Dan's text gave Indigo courage.

[color=8882be][i]I have to define myself by how I deal with my mistakes... I have to be honest. Margo talked about owning up, but I didn't finish that part yet.[/i][/color] He had to let his pokemon know the truth, no matter how terrifying it was. [color=8882be][i]Dan told me to do what I think is right. I think telling my pokemon what I did is the right thing to do. I have to start here or I can't apologize to Hero.[/i][/color]

So, Indigo let out his pokemon at once. They were confused without Hero's presence immediately. Hawka and Mimzy, moreso, though Kovi seeing his teammates also grew concerned.

[color=8882be]"Hawka, Mimzy, Kovi, I have something to tell you..."[/color] So Indigo knelt down and retold the tale of the night before and the morning that had just happened. Carefully, slowly, deliberately, he explained everything he had done. 

[color=8882be]"I know you guys must hate me, or be horrified,"[/color] he said slowly, rubbing his temples. [color=8882be]"But I know I made a mistake and I'm trying to make it better. I shouldn't have gotten so mad at Hero last night and lost my temper. But I... I'm just trying to apologize to him and Jack won't let me so... So I may need some help. I know I don't deserve to ask for any help but... I mean, if you guys want to leave, you can."[/color]

Hawka was distraught. Hero had been the first pokemon she had traveled and trained with, and as such, she was rightfully devastated by Indigo's actions. Still, more than anything, she wanted Hero to receive his apology. If this stupid human needed help... Then she would help him. By all accounts, Hawka was furious, evident by her pecking at Indigo's clothes furiously. But just like Dan, she believed that this human, who was still learning and growing, had promise. After all, he had been the one to pick Hero up in the first place. There was still some good in him, she believed. So after taking her anger and tears out, she let out an exhausted chirp and rested her head against his hands. It was a sign that she knew they were both hurting. And she acknowledged it.

Mimzy was saddened too, but as she saw Hawka rejoin Indigo, she thought back the past few days. Indigo had shown her great kindness, and if he was sorry, and he intended on apologizing, then Hero needed to hear it. She would help Indigo reach Hero again. It was, what humans would called it, a two-way street.

Kovi was older than the other pokemon, and much wiser. Bugs, in the pokemon world, what with their weak forms and how quickly they evolved, matured quickly. Before him he saw a human who had done a terrible mistake, but the way he worked with his pokemon had been Kovi's main reason for joining. And especially, when he had talked to Mimzy, Hawka, and Hero before their battle, Hero had shown nothing but love and adoration for Indigo. Perhaps the human had lost his temper and made a mistake. But Kovi had seen this happen in the wild too, with other pokemon and humans. Some did not even try to correct their mistakes. But Indigo was doing his best. So Kovi gently fluttered by Indigo's face, showing his support.

[color=8882be]"You guys... aren't leaving me?"[/color] Indigo sniffed, his eyes wide. His pokemon shook their heads. [color=8882be]"Thanks you guys. Thanks for helping me make it right with Hero. I'm going to need a lot of help getting to see him."[/color] After some more reassurance, and moments of stillness while they sat and contemplated, they were returned to their pokeballs.

Indigo stood up. He had to go back to Dan and thank him for everything. And possibly, finally, they could talk about Dan's mother now. 




When he finally arrived to the pokemon center, he saw Dan. Despite feeling like a hot pile of garbage still, Indigo couldn't help but smile. [color=8882be]"Dan, I got your text."[/color] He high-fived Dan, pulling him into a hug after. [color=8882be]"I just needed to say thank you. I know what I did was wrong, and I know I'm an egghead, but you believe in me. And it really helped me get brave enough to tell my pokemon what I did. They didn't ditch me, surprisingly."[/color] He let out a low chuckle. [color=8882be]"I think they want to help me apologize to Hero too. But I couldn't have done it without you." [i]Margo, too. In a way.[/i][/color]

When they sat down, Indigo's expression grew more concerned. [color=8882be]"But enough about me. Dan, what's the status with your mom? Did you call her yet?"[/color]