Jessica looked at the portal that began to engulf her, looking over her shoulder as the last bits of Father Winter's face disappeared from her view. Within a matter of moments, what she thought would be a path to power turned into a fiery hell.
"No. Let me out-!"The Unown-D vanished, leaving Jessica there in a suffocating heat. She grasped at her throat, feeling as if it was on fire as she breathed. She was in Hell. There was no way this wasn't it. Sweat was already glistening on her pale skin, soaking through her clothes as she took in her surroundings.
Even though the environment was hot and hellish, there were Pokemon around, seemingly thriving as though the heat was no bother to them. There were ones she had never seen before. Perhaps, if she approached, they would be willing to help her...
But as she stepped closer, a quadrupedal Pokemon locked eyes on her, making a growling noise. It sprang forward, taking her off guard. Its teeth clanged together like steel bars banging against each other as it attacked. Jessie only managed to move on time just barely. Behind, where it had been standing, rested a drum that was beating, as if by magic.
It was a scene from a
NIGHTMARE. Jessie was scrambling to get away, to run from the Heatran as it tried to attack her. However, the drums were calling to her. How would she be able to get them without being killed by the savage Pokemon?
WISH, and it was granted. A mega stone appeared in her view, and an idea sparked in her mind. As she grabbed it, she grabbed one of her Pokemon, her Lapras, and threw it forward. Of course, she knew it was probably suffering from the heat like she was.
"Just give me some time. Mega evolve!"The Lapras evolved, and it attacked the Heatran as it tried to attack Jessie. A fierce
HYDRO PUMP was sent to the Heatran, fending it back as Jessie swiped the drums. The Heatran was damaged from the water, growling from the steam emitting from its body. It couldn't attack anymore, not without its heat.
So Jessie brought back her Lapras and took her leave.
However, Jessie was still trapped, carrying a bulking fiery drum with her as the sweltering heat engulfed her. She was dehydrated, her head hurt, and she felt like she was going to pass out. She sat on the ground of the
DISTORTIONWORLD, close to giving up on everything.
"Jessie? What are you doing here?"His voice brought her out of her mind. Jessie's head snapped up, the soot and sweat sticking to her face pooling down as she saw him.
NIKO MANNER.
"Niko. How are you... what are you doing here?" she asked, standing up without another thought and practically jumping into his arms.
"That's what I asked you. You know it isn't safe here, right? You should get back. The gang has been wondering where you've been."Niko's eyes fell on the fiery drum, staying there for a moment before looking back to Jessie. She took no mind in that, rather relieved to see the man she loved... yes, loved, with her in this fiery hell. If this is where she was meant to be, she'd be fine if he too was there.
"I can go back, as long as you come with me. Come on, I want to go home," Jessie said, taking his hand to lead him away.
But then, there's a sharp pain in her leg. Jessie cried out, hands coming to her thigh before she fell down on the ground. Peering up from her spot, she saw him, brandishing a knife in his hand.
"Niko... what are you doing? Why did you-""You have it. The drum. It's something I've been searching for a long time, and you brought it straight to me. Stupid girl."His voice oozed delight as he reached for the drum. Jessie, however, reached out and grabbed it, clinging to it like a child. It burned her hands, but she held tightly as she stared at him with a frightened look in her eyes.
"You are stupid. Pathetic. Weak. You know I will never love you. Why do you keep trying so hard to prove yourself? I only wanted to use you for my own pleasure. You think I actually ever gave a shit about you?"This Niko's words tore deeply into Jessie's chest, harder than the knife ever could. He looked at her with disinterest, disgust, before scoffing, kicking dirt her way.
"You aren't worth my time. That drum, it isn't worth anything. Just like you. You will never surmount to anything, Jessica Black."With those words ringing in her ears, Jessie watched him walk away, tears streaming down her face.
So this was what death felt like.
prompts completed
"THEN THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. TO DO SOMETHING." Father Winter takes note of the coin toss' result with discerning eyes. He continues to smile, betraying little. "ONCE YOU'VE RECOVERED YOUR PRIZE, HEAD BACK. THE PORTAL WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU."
YOU RETURN TO THE QUIET OF GRANITE CAVE. "Father Winter" and his Unown-D is nowhere to be seen. At first, you wonder if you're truly home. 
PATISSERIE HM RP
