The Tale of Seven: Kidnapped Hope

[Reno]

The blonde smiled as Fuujin and Sai started to talk, sneaking out one of the doors as they did. After all he had tea to make. However, as he headed for the kitchen area the door was left ajar, allowing the sounds of the other room to waft in the sitting area.

It was just some faint noises, somewhat curious but otherwise undistinguished. However, it intrigued the other blonde who personally would like nothing more then to be five-hundred miles from the Pokemon abuser. No matter what Demyx said, (and his family knew this well) he did not forgive or forget easily and he wouldn't make an exception this time.

He walked over to the door, peeking through the crack, seeing a flash of blue before it was gone and he was staring at white stone. What the? He reached up, pushing open the door and - "Wow..." It was no doubt the main part of the temple, for it was grand with a high ceiling, and decorated beautifully to the legends. There was a cleaning pool set in the middle of the floor, most liking so after those who came here could clean away their sin. It was meant - as Sai had said - for prayer. But it wasn't full of people today, asking for forgiveness or good health. It was full of Pokemon.

He recognized a few of them, including the little moon floating around, white tree-like Pokemon standing in the corner and the large sea dragon resting in the pond. But he recognized the blue flash he had noticed which turned out to be Mudkip. The little Pokemon of Hoenn was hurrying his way towards the pond and with a little 'Kip!' he jumped and with a playful flip splashed in the water. Demyx must of been slightly aware of this because he had left another door slightly open - most likely the kitchen, and he could hear the blonde humming even from here as he made the tea.

The scene made Roxas smile, noticing how carefree Demyx's closest Pokemon friend seemed to still be. Even though he had never evolved, Mudkip seemed unbothered by this, in fact perfectly happy with himself. He was about to close the door, leave the Pokemon in peace, snd then he noticed the ominous pointed fin moved towards the blue pokemon and his eyes widened. Before he could think, his rescuer instincts kicked in and he was hurrying towards the pond. "Hey, get out of the water!!"

No one could have stopped him even if he tried, though all the Pokemon in the room gave a cry of surprise as the blonde vaulted into the miniature pool, a splash of water wetting the edges.
"Kip?!" Cried the little Mudkip in surprise as arms wrapped around him and pulled him close.
"Gotcha!" Roxas spluttered, wet hair in his face and his body shaking at the cold temperatures brought only to be colder at Snowpoint's natural atmosphere. But he didn't seem to care as something brushed his leg and his heart started to pound hard, slowly whirling around and coming face to face with a steely blue face and blood red eyes. He didn't even have the air to scream. All he had mind to do was tug Mudkip behind him, protecting the Pokemon with the only thing he had. His own body.

[Rikugurl]

Fuu nodded as she listened to what Saix had to say. It was interesting. Roxas had brought up this guy every once in awhile, even Axel didn't have anything really good to say about him but... he seemed to of done a 360. She had to wonder how Demyx could do that...
But there seemed to be an underlying collection between the two that she could see in their eyes as Demyx had yelled at him.

However, both were startled when he heard a loud splash in the other room and looked at the table, seeing that both of the blondes were gone. Saix was up on his feet before Fujin, seeming to know exactly where to go as she followed. The door to the pool was opened wide as Saix rushed in, his golden eyes looking at the pool as the pokemon around it seemed to get away quickly.

The red eyes continued to narrow at the blonde before the beast swam up, all the way to his head as it was the only thing not underwater before... sniffing it. "Pedo..." A rough yet oddly feminine sound came from the shark before she shifted and swam away.

"What are you doing!?" Saix barked as he walked closer, grabbing Roxas's collar and effortlessly pulling him out of the water. The floating moon pokemon slowly floated to Saix's side as he dropped Roxas on the ground.
"Rox!" Fuu called as she rushed to his side, still seeing him hold onto the mudkip for dear life. "What happened!?"

"Pffft, he thought my sharpedo was going to attack Demyx's mudkip... which she would never do... and as a nosy Rescuer, he had to go off and be a hero." Sai stung, crossing his arms as the mullet blonde popped his head in.

[Reno]

Blue eyes grew wider as the shark came closer, seeing the Pokemon's nostrils flare as she sniffed him like she was judging his meat quality or something! Oh god, I'm gonna die, gonna die, gonna die! The words kept spinning through his head, but nothing else. No thoughts to start swimming or to call one of his Pokemon. He was frozen stiff.

But even he was shocked when the shark that had come so very close seemed to reject him and... swim away?! W-What? Before he could really process it, he was being yanked from the water, barely having time to grab Mudkip as well. He held the Pokemon close, ignoring the bluette as he was yelled at just staring at the water utterly confused. Wasn't he supposed to be dead...? Was he so tired he hallucinated? Was-
"as a nosy Rescuer, he had to go off and be a hero."
Saix making fucking fun of him?!
"EXCUSE ME?!" The blonde burst out as he faced the man, his voice shaking partially from latent fear, partially from cold, his body shaking badly now that his body was exposed to the winter air. Did anyone here know the word 'heater'?!
"K-Kip!" Mudkip squirmed as he was held closer. He was not a teddy bear!! Roxas luckily noticed and let him go, and the little Pokemon hurried across the floor to where Demyx was standing at the door to the kitchen, watching them.

"You have NO right. No right at fucking ALL to insult what I do!" Roxas burst out pointing at Saix's face, "How dare you... when all I do is protect Pokemon from trainers like you!" The gold-eyed man seemed to start, beginning to snarl back about how he CHANGED, but Roxas chortled like it was hilarious, "So what?! It doesn't change the fact that at some point you finally realized you were pushing your Pokemon too hard, almost abusively and that it was enough to riddle you with guilt and send you looking for help from him." He waved his hand towards Demyx. "But you know what you're lucky you had a fucking conscience! I have seen people who have none at all! And some Pokemon never recover from them! I've seen things you... you can't even imagine!"

His eyes narrowed more, his blood literally boiling. He started to step forward, and despite being smaller, his threat seemed enough to make Saix back down. "My Absol... he came from a trainer who whipped and beat him for any bad thing that happened. His trust in people was completely lost, and it took him years to even be comfortable with me." He shook his head, grinding his teeth. "A few years ago, I had an Umbreon brought to me from another center for rehabilitation. His tail was gone - cut off. With scissors. Why? Who the fuck knows!" He waved his hands out, his anger still there.

He looked at Sai, his voice dark. "Awhile ago, when my and my friends were off on a rescue mission to save some of our own I was captured up on the top levels of Sky Tower by a fucking Team Rocket 'Elite' named Reno. I was just trying to rescue a little red Seedot they had taken but he had slipped out the door and I had to chase him down the halls. He trapped me in a room and sent his Manectric after me. It was ruthless and tried to kill me. I still have fucking scars. My Flareon battled it and lost. Before I could do anything else Reno pulled out a gun and pinned me against the wall. The Seedot tried to fight him off but he just threw him across the room like he was nothing. Then he held the gun right up to me head."
Roxas placed his finger against his temple for emphasis. "Reassured me it was loaded. And then you know what he said? 'But yo, seeing is believing right?' Then he turned the gun on Seedot... and shot him right in front of my eyes."

The silence in the room was thick, Pokemon and people alike staring at Roxas as he stood there revealing a history almost unbelievable. "It didn't matter to him at all... that Pokemon's hopes and dreams. Didn't care that he was brave and curious, had friends and a trainer. Cared so little, he shot for my brother and got Skitty instead who protected him. And then he shot me."

The blonde took a breath and said, his voice low but strong, "With villains like that in the world, I'd much rather be a hero. At one point in our lives, we all need one, right? It all just depends on whose brave enough to be there." He shoved past the bluette then and walked out of the main temple, but didn't stop there as he walked right out the front door, into the freezing cold not even caring that he was wet. He just needed to get away.

One of his Pokeballs shook and then burst. A little red fox appeared, and started to walk beside him, knowing he needed her. "Flaaar?" Arms opened and she didn't need to be asked twice as she jumped up and was cuddled close against her master's wet body.

[Rikugurl]

There was a gasping intake as Fuu heard the story for the first time. Sure, Aqua had told her how Roxas had been shot and the poor skitty, that Moltres healed them all but... she didn't know about this Reno guy or the poor seedot. Her red eyes widened as she listened more, realizing that this was why he had become a rescuer in the first place. Roxas really did good for Pokemon... and she knew that if it wasn't for Axel, he wouldn't of gotten so involved.

"Roxas! Wait!" Fujin called as the blonde stormed pass the blonde and out the door. She blinked before glaring at Sai. "Look what you did!? We don't have time for this!" She snapped before rushing after Roxas.

Sai huffed and crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at the two as they disappeared before... he felt eyes staring at him and he swallowed a little...
He was in bigger trouble now...


"Roxas!" Fuu called as she burst into the winter early morning, seeing him walking towards the town. "Where are you going!?" She rushed after him as he didn't answer, catching up a few minutes later, huffing some. It was so cold... and she was so tired...
"HEY!" She snapped before stopping the blonde. She pressed him up against a close tree, her red eyes piercing through him.

"Look, it was fucking tough back then, I get it. We all get it. It was an experience that no one will grasp or ever want to. It made you a stronger person and a great rescuer but cool it! You can't just blow up in everyone's face! You and Aqua need to learn that things won't get better unless you start accepting what happened... and that one day... those bad things are going to come to an end. That man may of been cruel... and he may have a horrible attitude but he's TRYING. Like Ven did. Your own brother... and even if you think that the man in that temple was worse," She backed away a bit, "you really don't know what Ven did for sure when he was a rocket either..."

She turned and sighed, shaking her head. "Aqua use to beat her pokemon too... but you're giving her a chance. You can't keep picking fights, Roxas.... It doesn't help anyone and blowing up like that... makes you look like bad... and you're suppose to be representing the Rescuers. If you keep acting like that... how are people suppose to admire that?"

[Reno]

"Saix!!" Oh was he in trouble. The blonde came stomping over and grabbed the bluette by his ear, dragging him all the way back into the sitting room to the corner. "Sit!" The blue-haired man did so, getting comfortable on the meditation map. He shut the door so the Pokemon wouldn't here then glanced out the still open front door, no longer seeing Roxas or Fuujin. He shut the door to keep the cold out, hoping they'd still know they were welcome here.

He turned on the other, and dragged a pillow over sitting down right in front of him. He glanced at the dozing Charizard before sighing and looking back at Saix. "Sai, do you really want me to make you start all over again? I get he punched you and all." He reached up, rubbing the reddening mark on the other's face. "But I remember when Drew was new and punched you in the gut and you didn't respond at all, so I know that's not it." He set his hands in his lap, seemingly thoughtful before he looked at the other again. "It's because he reminds you of the past huh? Of who you used to be?"

Whether he was right or wrong didn't show automatically in the blue-haired man's face. He was good at closing himself off. "You can't have a future without a past Sai." The blonde said wisely. "You've come a real long way since there and I'm proud of you and you should be proud at yourself. But right now you're just being silly. What have I always told you all about people who make you mad? If you don't give them fuel, eventually the anger dies. Insulting who he is is doing the exact opposite, obviously. I know he;s not making it easy on you, I understand, but it's not his job to meet you half way. You aren't friends, just acquaintances who you just happened to make a bad impression on. One day he might see you've honestly changed, but whether if he does or he doesn't depends on how much you care if he does or doesn't." Demyx glanced towards the window then back to the other. "I also always tell you guys to understand why that anger is there. Not fix, just understand."

There was a pause, then Demyx sighed. "I'm not actually asking you to be his friend Sai. But please at least cor...codal... c- just be friendly! Or at the very least, don't get into fights with him. Sure, he's being pretty mean but he can't be all bad right? Anyone silly enough to jump into a water with a Sharpedo they don't even know to save a Pokemon they also don't really know is either brave or loopy. And I know that whatever his friends and he are doing that's making them travel half across the world well... I think it has something to do with what's been happening to the world lately. I'm just guessing but... I think they're trying to fix it. At least I hope so..."


Roxas shut his eyes, hearing a faint voice behind him but ignored it. Flareon wagged her tail, barking as she laid her head on his shoulder, looking back at the woman who was catching up. "Go fly a kite Fuujin." Her master grumbled under his breath, the taunt plainly stupid and inaudible but he was tired of just everything.

Of course whether he wanted to or not, Fuujin pinned him against a tree and gave him a talk. He was too tired to interrupt her. So instead he waited until she was done then he sighed, saying in return. "So it makes me look BAD to hit a trainer who hurts Pokemon. Yeah, fuck maybe he doesn't anymore and that makes it my mistake, I guess. But I'm not going to stand around and let him insult who I am or what we do either. I WAS standing up for the rescuer name back there, or weren't you listening? And it's not my fucking job to give him a chance. It's my job to protect Pokemon. If he wants me to give him a chance, he has to fucking earn it - Ven and Aqua fucking did, that's the only reason I gave them that chance!"

He scoffed pulling away from her and walking away a few steps. "Stop acting like you know what you're saying. I have accepted that day. It took a long fucking time but I did. But I'm not going to fucking forget it. You have no idea what it was like so stop acting like you do. I have to live with this shit everyday, have to see just how evil people really are all the damn time and I'm left with is the guilt I wasn't there sooner. Bad things never stop happening and never will." He glanced back, seeing the look on the woman's face. "Now go back to the damn temple and go to bed. I'm going to go call Axel and let him know we got here." He turned and walked off again.

[Rikugurl]

Sai looked away as Demyx seemed to drift off before sighing. "I'm sorry then..." He spoke. "And I know I shouldn't say it to you but to that kid... and even to myself. I know it was rather silly of me to act up like that... and I am old enough to know that I need to behave myself with some kid." He looked down, taking in a deep breath. "It's just... that was the day... that was the battle... I knew I had to stop. My Pokemon deserved better and I... I didn't think of them anymore. I only thought of myself and that kid..."

He shook his head but looked up as the front door opened, seeing a woman walk inside, her body shivering a bit more than it had been awhile ago. She was silent as she sat next to the large dragon... and leaned on her. Red eyes closed as the two men watched in silence.

Her throat was sore from the last thing she had screamed at the blonde as he walked away.

"YEA, JUST KEEP WALKING MR. KNOW IT ALL! I HOPE YOU DIDN'T FORGET THAT EVERY TIME YOU START SHIT, YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE HAS A BETTER CHANCE OF DROWNING!"


And it did continue. Ice was made and melted by a dog running over it. Storms were created and rain fell all over the land. The water was raising every moment as people slumbered.


There was one place that was still what alive... and even more so as the morning lights hit the world from another. A call, like a bat using his echolocation... but this large beast could see easily as he corkscrewed his way up and up until he reached one piece of land that was at the very top. Red eyes could see a little green pokemon sleeping close to some flowers and it circled a few times before he knew he had to disturb the slumber.

"Friend! It is time to awake!"


"Haha... are you sure?" A head tilted slightly, some silver hair shifting as he watched his lover try on his new glasses. "I think they look great." The man had some circles around his own eyes... but they were from not getting enough sleep let alone glasses. Even still, he seemed fairly awake and happy as he sat next to the bed Sora was still in.

There was a bag of clothes by the bed and his things were packed away in a new one that had a cute little Pichu on it.


"Mmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnn...." A groan escaped a man's lips as he turned, feeling the warmth close by as long, lanky limbs wrapped around it, burying his head into it... and started to snore.
"I don't envy her..." Another voice came from across the room as blue eyes watched the two sleeping on the floor of the waiting room, sipping on his cup of coffee as he sat on one of the chairs.
"Gon..." The dragon next to him agreed as seemed to be uncomfortable, looking at the door to where they can come out of in the morning.

"Don't worry." The blonde with bedhead looked up at her, smiling. "He'll be ok~ Fulgencia knows what she's doing."


"There!" A woman smiled as he rubbed the last bit of ointment on the oddly colored wing, seeing how the rip was easily staying together.
The can was put away before she shifted through a few things and handed a bright red ball to a tanner man who was standing next to the dragon. "Take this. It's a transfer ball that I designed myself. It's a pokeball that will keep whatever Pokemon you want rather warm as you travel. Keep him in here for six hour to let the ointment dry."

She then handed him a few more with a smile. "And you have some friends with other fire pokemon right? These can help them recover quicker and it also helpful for pokemon who love to bask in the summer sun."


In a whole other part of the world, another transfer ball was given to a silverette woman. She looked down at it before looking up at the man with golden eyes. "Are you sure?" She asked but the man only nodded. "There's no point for me to keep her here and not be useful. She was trained by Demyx so she should be up to par with what you need."

Fuu looked down at the transfer ball before nodding. "T-thanks."

[Reno]

The blonde ran a hand through his hair and smiled then. "But isn't that a good thing to remember then...? Times that make you change for the better should be treasured." Before much more could be said he heard the door open and glanced back, seeing an unhappy woman walk in and stomp her way over to the dragon, settling down to sleep. He would of asked where Roxas was, but he could tell from the look on her face that she didn't want to talk.

Guess he could take the tea kettle off the stove...


Meanwhile, Roxas continued his way into town towards the local Pokemon center, Fuujin's last words ringing in his ears, shaking his head. Yeah, like they were going to anyways by sleeping?
"If there are things that make you happy, things you truly don't want to lose, don't screw it up."
He groaned running a hand through his hair as he remember Diliza's words. "Damnit..." It had taken him years for his temper to loosen, but in a week alone all that hard work, undone.

Maybe Sai wasn't the only one who had to go back to 'puppy' rank.


Luckily time would pass and hopefully heal some wounds. though the biggest one of all that would need to be healed was still a wide open gash, splitting further and further, bleeding more and more. The only thing to accompany this pain was the cry of her voice, wailing to the air for her son.


In a world so strange and foreign, though it was merely a reverse reflection of the one it was built around, was peaceful and quiet perfect anytime for a nap. Even more perfect and peaceful for things that are precious, like two little pink flowers saying in a non-existent wind.
But quiet did not stay, as they were awakened by the call of friend. Green eyes opened before there was a long yawn. "Miiiiin." He blinked a few tie before getting up, shaking his body some then looked to the large Pokemon that had awakened him. "Oh, hello Giratina. Has marrow broke already?"


Blue eyes looked past the glass towards the male, his cheeks a little red as he lowered the mirror he had been admiring himself in. "R-Really... you really think it looks good?" The glasses themseleves were simple, made of very thin silver-blue wire though the sideways oval-shaped glass of the glasses made no wire around them at all, only touching metal where they connected with the ear and nose pieces. Because of the lack of metal, his eyes weren't hidden at all and they matched well with the color of the frames.

The silverette reassured him once more he looked nice but Sora still self-consciously glanced at the mirror, looking himself over. He lowered the mirror, thinking about it before glancing around, making sure no one was in the room. He stood, his legs now strong enough to hold his weight once more. He placed his hands on the arm rests of Riku's chair leaning close and smirking sultrily. "So, Mr. Mizushima, ready for your first lesson?"


"Mmmmnghp...." Groaned the bluette who was being cuddle by thin but surprisingly strong arms. When Axel started to snore a sour expression appeared on her sleeping face. She tried to turn away but the arms around her hindering the movement. The other started to snore louder.

To got a face-full of hand as the woman shoved her palm in the others ugly mug, shoving him away. "Shuddup!" She slurred before rolling over cuddling against her blankets again.

Surely even hurting Glaceon was not worth this punishment was it?


Blue eyes watched unnervingly as the woman worked, never taking his eyes off her. Most other people would get nervous, maybe even make a mistake, but the silverette seemed to take it in stride, smiling as she did her job taking care of the young male dragon who seemed rested but still in pain. Still he 'took it like a man' and didn't even utter one cry of pain (though he did sigh with relief as Fulgencia announced she was finished).

The brunette blinked as he was handed the many pokeballs and nodded at her words, smiling tentatively. "I'll be sure to do that. Thank you for all your help. I don't know how I could ever repay you."


Meanwhile across the room from where the two where speaking, a more... tragic scene was happening. A man strummed on hos instrument that would have been a guitar if not for its long neck and circle-shaped body, or the dozens of adjusting notches on one side. Those who knew more would call it as it really was: A sitar.
The man sniffled sorrowfully as he sang.
"♪The tiiiiime has come
It's for the best I know it
Who could've guess-ed that you and I...
somehow, someday
We'd have to say gooooooodbyyyyye.♪"
"Uh Demyx..." A blonde tried to console beside him. "He'll only be gone a few days, promise."
The blonde's, known as Demyx's, lip quivered and then he burst into tears. "I KNOW!!" He wrapped his arms around the giant beast still residing in the pool. "But I'm gonna miss you Gary!!"
The dragon blinked before purring softly, trying to console his overreacting master. Honestly, sometimes he could just be so strange.

[Rikugurl]

The dragon ghost continued to circle around the piece of land as the shaymin stretched before coming to a halt in front of him as he started to speak. Wing like things from his back expanded as he floated in one place, nodding. "Indeed. I awoke and realized I was covered in much water." He seemed to look down, making the curious hedgehog do the same as he looked over the side to see that the water had risen more.

"It is worse than I expected. We only have two days left before these waters reach your flowers.... and I reach the end of my sky." He said rather sadly before looking back at his friend. "Come, you must hurry."


Riku laughed as he watched Sora look at the mirror again. Why didn't he believe him!? He watched his lover stand and looked up as he came close and...leaned over, those big blue eyes looking into him and the glasses just seemed to...
His pale cheeks grew rosy as his eyes widened a bit, feeling a little flushed as a heat ran over his body. "L-lesson?" He stuttered as he smiled innocently. "What kind of lesson would that be?"


Ven shook his head before he heard Aqua, looking over to see what had happened. Axel seemed to be frozen, unsure what to do... but after a moment, he seemed to shift and....laid on top of Aqua.... and started to snore again.
"AHAHAHAAHAHAHA!!" Ven laughed, seeing how pissed Aqua got as Axel kept sleeping. Now he knew what poor Roxas had to go through every morning! No wonder he was always cranky~

He giggled as he took another sip of his coffee, thinking about what would happen to him of Terra decided to lay on top of him. He'd probably be crushed.
However, his thoughts were interrupted as Moana gave a happy cry before fluttering over to the door, necking with a darker dragon.
"Ah... how did it go?" The short blonde asked as he walked over to Terra that squeezed by the two dragons, handing him a cup of coffee.


Fuu blinked as he shifted her weight to look behind Sai at the blonde hugging the large dragon. "Uuhh... is he always like that?" She asked, making Sai turn around to look as well. "Yes." Sai answered with a sigh before leaving her side and walking over to the blonde. "Demyx...?" No answer as he kept crying. There was a sigh before the bluette tried again. "Dem?" Still nothing. The man cleared his throat before wrapping an arm around Demyx's waist, pulling him away gently. "Demdem...?"

A hand reached up, drying away all the tears before another ran through the messy mop of hair. "Don't worry... he'll come back..." A soft smile ran over Sai's face as he leaned down, placing a soft...

WHAT!?

Fuu blinked a few times as she watched the gentle kiss, almost dropping the two transfer balls from her hand. So that's why.... it all made sense now.
"Miiiiiiiiiiisss...." The ghost next to her seemed to smile.

[Reno]

"Oh dear! However could it of risen so fast?" The little grass-type Pokemon said, seeing how much higher the water was. At the worrying statistics, he seemed only to grow more frantic. "Yes of course!" He turned, scampering over to his flowers. He leaned up, nuzzling the pistils tenderly and the pollen reacting, making him glow a bright white.

When the light disappeared he was much taller, with long legs and more white fur than green. He turned to Giratina, his eyes now determined and a confidant smile on his face. "Let's go!" He ran forward before he jumped and flew right over the ghost Pokemon, but unlike most creature he did not fall due to gravity. He continued to fly through the air. Giratina naturally had no trouble catching up though.


Blue eyes tinkled mysteriously at the instant reaction - yes he definitely loved these glasses - and he smiled leaning forward more so they were in a more intimate space. His hands slid further up the chair until they rested in the corner of the arms where they met the backrest. "With kissing of course. That is always the first lesson." He smiled, his voice breathing over the air exotically. "It is the sign of affection and love."

He reached up, two fingers gently lifting Riku's chin up some before he lent forward, bringing his lips against the other's. The lip lock was gentle and sweet, merely there lips moving against one another. After a few moments Sora pulled back a little, lidded eyes looking into Riku's. "You're a fast learner Mr. Mizushima... already ready for the advanced course~" He ran his hand through his hair before resting it against the back of his head, bringing him in for another, more passionate kiss, a hint of tongues dancing between there lips. "Mmmm..."


"Gaaaah! Gitoff!!" She grumbled as she flailed under the other, hardly able to breathe. For someone so thin he sure was heavy! She squirmed desperately before reaching blindly for a pillow, whacking Axel up over the head with it. He seemed to stop snoring for a second but then went right back to sleep. "Ugh, AXEL!! GET OFF ME."

Across the room, the brunette smiled, taking the coffee cup from the other while the two Flygon's nuzzled one another. "It was fine. He won't be able to fly us anywhere though for awhile." He took a sip of the hot drink, relishing at the heat that scorched down his throat. In a few hours he was going to miss that... being warm that is. He looked over when he heard all the yelling, raising an eyebrow. "What the hell happened there?"

"RAAAWR!" Aqua reached blindly for her pokebelt, grabbing off the first Pokeball that she could get her hands around and threw it. there was a burst on light and then a blue colored duck appeared, a little red gem on his forward. "Use water gun on him!" She pointed to the red-head.
"Gool?"
"Yes now!"
The duck blinked but opened his mouth, a squirt of water smacking Axel right in the face.


"Errr..." Roxas said, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably as the inconsolable blonde continued to cry. He wasn't sure what to say or do, not remembering the blonde doing this the first time they took the serpent. He rose an eyebrow curiously when Sai came over though, pulling the man away and started to talk to him softly before kissing him.

Wait... what?! The blonde had to do a double take, his jaw falling. KISSING HIM?! He stared in aghast as he watched what had to be the strangest pairing ever (and he thought Terra and Ven were weird!!), unable to wrap his mind around how they came together.

But now at least Demyx's reaction made a little more sense...
"Noooo! Roxas, we're out of coffee!!" The red-head blurted out one morning, shaking around a coffee can little grains shaking at the bottom. He started to sniffle looking at the can. "Now we have to go shopping! And-And we have to put off our awesome breakfast!"
"Err Axel?" The blonde pulled another can from the nearby pantry, it's weight obvious to show it's full capacity. "We bought one last week, remember?"
"Yay!" Wiry arms wrapped around him, bringing him close. "You're the best Roxas!"
"Yeaaah I am." He said and gave the other a kiss. After they broke away Axel was grinning like a fool, taking the can and walking over to the coffee pot but left Roxas blinking before he realized... "Axel you knew the whole time, didn't you?! You just wanted a kiss!"
"Me? No, never!"

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed a bit wistfully. They'd only been apart about 12 hours and still he missed the red-head...

Demyx ended the kiss by pulling away, suddenly all smiles. "I know~" He gave the other a cute little Eskimo kiss. "Thank you." He stayed close to the other for a few moments more, just enjoying the proximity before he pulled away and looked at Roxas then Fuujin. "Now remember, these Pokemon aren't for fighting. So, no matter what happens, I absolutely forbid any of you from putting them into a battle. Otherwise, they'll be there for any help you need!"
Roxas nodded. "We understand, and we promise to take good care of them."

[Rikugurl]

Giratina watched his friend as he morphed and seemed to smile happily as his mouth opened as the little pokemon flew over him and off through the sky. He had no worried catching up, gliding through like he knew the place. Well... he did. He was the only one who lived here! It was nice to have visitors sometimes though, even Newton came around every once and awhile..

However, he saw his friend circle around a bubble, seeming to talk to himself... but he seemed rather happy. "What is it?" The larger asked as he looked at the bubble as well, seeing what seemed to be the inside of some white room. Shamin started to explain that these were two of the people he had meet the night before who helped him get back to the flowers... but he was worried because the rest didn't seem to be with them.
"Let's see if we can help them... and in return, they may be able to help us."


Riku's cheeks darkened even more as Sora leaned in closer, feeling that hot breath on his lips. Blood started to run another way, his hips shifting a bit as their lips met. There was an electric shock, making Riku wonder if it was still some electricity that Zapdos had given Sora... but he knew this shock from before... like the first time him and Sora kissed.

Their lips smacked easily before Sora pulled away, Riku's eyes lidding as he grinned before their second, passionate kiss started. Tongues danced softly as his hands slowly and subconsciously wrapped around the younger's waist, each hand grabbing an ass cheek.
However, just before Riku was to close his eyes, he spotted something weird... with the mirror that Sora had been looking at. It was....

SWIRLING!?

His eyes widened as he pulled away, mouth still open as he watched the swirl become bigger and bigger, seeing some kind of shadow in it and----
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" He cried as he felt a funnel wrap around him and Sora, a crazy wind pulling them up from the chair and through the mirror itself.

"SOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAA!!!" Riku cried as he held onto his lover, his eyes closing before.... everything became weightless.... and they landed on something. Slowly, an aquamarine eye opened before both did, widening as he saw... a landscape that he never... saw before. He looked around frantically before realizing that... they were ON SOMETHING!?
He pulled Sora closer, oddly seeing their packed backs along their side as three limbs on both sides worked as one to act like wings as they flew around slowly.

"W-w-w-w-w-w-where....?"


"HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUBUOUIRUWFBUWNUFWF!!!" Axel spat as he inhaled...a gallon of water!? He started to cough as he sat up, grabbing his throat as his green eyes widened, water pouring from his mouth over the blankets. His hair was drenched along with anything else he was wearing. "W-HA---COUGH UGH!"

Ven had to laugh as he watched. Roxas had told him that Vaporeon would wake him up like that sometimes... and he should be use to it by now.
"They're just loving each other~" Ven teased before looking up at Flygon, seeing his wing all gooped up. It was a lucky thing that they happened go to a rescue center where a woman who specialized in dragons could help them! "That's ok... Moana will do her best." He smiled as he started to pet her but she was too interested in her mate.

Wet, shaky hands reached for the glasses that were placed on the side, being pulled up so the green eyes could see before he growled at Aqua, his red hair all in his face. "What was that for!?"


Sai smiled as he received the Eskimo kissed before bringing him closer, their warmth shared before Demyx pulled away. He straightened and cleared his throat some, the moon next to him seeming to chuckle.

Fuu nodded and smiled, trying to get some blush off her face. They were... a pretty couple... AHEM!
"Y-yea... we're make sure they come home safe." She looked at Roxas, sighing some. Their incident from last night hadn't been fixed... there was no time.
"We should get going, the others are waiting." She smiled before thanking Demyx for his room and board... and for letting him entrust them with his friends. She held out her hand for a shake but he pulled her into a hug instead. She waved and started to get the charizard ready... but as she did so, her own friend was starting to laugh, making her look up at the ghost, seeing she was looking at something behind her.

The silverette looked behind her only to see something that she wished he had a camera for:
Demyx forcing Roxas and Saix to hug.

[Reno]

HE looked about as he flew, trying to spot a bubble that maybe had Lugia or another one of those trouble-making legendaries in it! He would show them not to mess with his home, or anyone else's!

"You're a fast learner Mr. Mizushima... already ready for the advanced course~"
"Min?" "I know that voice!" Shaymin said excitedly, looking towards one of the many bubbles that looked out on the outside world. He flew around it, looking inside what appeared to be a human-built structure where he could see a small brunette and silverette touching their lips together. He recognized them well, knowing they were the ones on the tiger dog. He looked up when Giratina asked and smiled. "They are friends! They helped me get back to my flowers when the sun went down and I got separated from them. They told me that they were trying to find Lugia's son. But I wonder where the others are. He frowned in concern. There were two and two and two more of them..."
He looked up and smiled at the idea though. "Oh yes! Let us do that!" He flew around behind the large beast, his ears lowering at the other suddenly made a loud screech.


"MmmmmmMmm!" Groaned the brunette, his cheeks flushing some as he felt those hands in a naughty place. Luckily, he rather liked where they were, about to settle himself down into the silverette's comfortable lap but then suddenly Riku's was yanking himself away, his mouth wide open. "W-What is it?!" He said in confusion, wondering if somehow he had become a bad kisser. Maybe he forgot how to kiss?!

Luckily it was neither of them. Instead it was just some where gust that suddenly sucked them up. Not having seen what Riku had, Sora was utterly lost except that suddenly his body was being lifted off the tile, his fiance's body slamming into him. They were both pulled back and suddenly he was looking at the artificial lights of the ceiling, watching as they got farther and farther awayalmost like he was in a tunnel and moving backwards.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

Then they were gone, sucked up by a purple sky and Riku was screaming and he was screaming and he felt like his body had gone from 150 pounds to 0 in a millisecond...

And then the hit something. "O-Oof!" He grunted as Riku sprawled on top of him, winding him a little, everything a blur. He blinked dizzily, feeling the other get off and slowly sat up, glasses askew, there bags spread around them and his mind still reeling. He reached, readjusting them and a world unreal was before his eyes. What... just happened? "U-Uuuhh...."

And then something green came into view.
"Hello dear friends, it is so nice to see you again!"
"Sha...Shaymin?!" Sora gasped, the reindeer Pokemon floating in front of him and Riku.
"That's me! Though I hate to tell you, you are unable to procreate together. I would have thought you would have known."
"H-H-H-How?!"
"Oh, how rude of me!" He settled down on the black, colored land, smiling. "I saw you in the bubble and now you are in the Reverse World. Now friends, meet my friend Giratina!" Suddenly their land moved, it's head twisting to look at them, sharp red eyes seeming to pierce them.
"G-GI-Gira...." Sora blinked putting his head into his hand. Four. He'd seen FOUR legendaries?! "I think I'm still disoriented."
"You do seem rather different than before. You even smell strange! Whatever has happened?"


"For snoring! and sleeping on me. And SNORING MORE!" Aqua yelled right back, wet herself but not caring. She practically had gills. A leg slammed into the red-head and shoved him out of bed. "Now go have some coffee and cheer the fuck up!" After all Axel's morning-before-coffee crankiness was legendary.

Terra chuckled as he drank some more of his own coffee, guarding it protectively as Axel stomped about the room. He looked at Ven though, seeing how put off he was since his dragon was more interested in her mate. "Did you call your dad yet?" He asked, remembering Roxas' request from last night.


Demyx nodded to Fuujin's answer, quickly recalling his largest Pokemon, before setting it in the woman's hands, watching her place them away in her pocket. He grinned as she started to show her gratitude, waving it off. "It was no trouble, though you should really thank Sai." When she held out her hand though he tugged her forward suddenly, smiling as he hugged her. After he let her go, she said her thanks to Sai too before walking over to their large dragon Pokemon.

He turned on Roxas, grinning as the other backed away some. "Oh no you don't!" He practically bounced on him giving him a great big hug.
"A-Ack! Dear Arceus Demyx are you sure you're not violet? I think you're crushing my spine!"
"Hahahaha sorry!" The blonde was let go, allowed to catch his breath before- "And now give one to Sai!"
It all blew out in a rush, "What?! No way!"
The blonde crossed, frowning now. "Do it, or no Gary."
"W-What?! But..." The blonde practically glowered, making Roxas feel as small as he used to be when he was six and trying to wear his mom's high heels to be taller so the kids would stop making fun of him. He had a feeling he'd really so it too. "....Fine." He sighed and held open his arms.

Next it was Sai who didn't move though, grumbling about how he had no obligation to hug him or even want to touch him and if Demyx though he was he-
Roxas rose an eyebrow, watching the sitarist lean up and murmured something in his ear. He wasn't sure what was said but it must of been horrifying because suddenly he had his arms full of Saix. The two growled at each other just like a Garchomp and a Flareon would before breaking apart as quickly as they could.
"Uh-hum!" Roxas cleared his throat, brushing down his clothes. "Now if thats all well and done..."

[Rikugurl]

"SHAYMIN!?" Riku cried as well as he saw the flying pokemon that they once saw... well on the ground. Where were they!? He couldn't even as the reindeer pokemon continued to talk to them... and.... they were introduced to what they were sitting on. Giratina took it as a cue to look back onto his back, his red eyes fixing on them, making both humans uneasy.

Riku swallowed, looking up into the red. He looked so serious and...
He shook his head, focusing on the more cuter pokemon as they continued to float around the strange world. "Zapdos attacked us... and Sora got in the way."
Shaymin started to speak... and him and Sora seemed to have a conversation.

"Giiiir..." The large pokemon sighed, realizing that he was being left out and ignored.
WHAT!? Sometimes it gets lonely living in a world all by yourself.

Riku nodded before looking around, seeing all the strange bubbles that seemed to reflect a world they knew rather well.


"UGH! GOD DAMMIT WOMEN ARE SO RUDE UGH!" Axel stomped around, his body half wet as he marched pass Ven and started to pour himself a cup of coffee before adding sugar and milk, stirring it and chugging it down before repeating.

Ven rose an eyebrow as he listened to the beast before looking up at his lover. "Huh? Oh.... right." He totally forgot. "Will you come with me?"
When Terra agreed, they said their goodbyes to their pokemon before recalling them, walking around the corner to the phone. They found a phone that Fuu must of missed because it was a TV one... though it wasn't turned on. When Ven got it to start working, he scooted over on the chair so Terra could join. Numbers were pressed for his aunt's house and the little Rotom started to dance.

It was his aunt who picked up of course.
"Oh, good morning....." She squinted her eyes before smiling, "Ventus."
Ven sighed, knowing that she could only tell them apart from their necklaces... but he gave her some slack, knowing that he didn't see her very much. "Hey aunt Nova... I was wondering if dad was around."
The woman nodded as she looked around. "Yep, he's in the dining room reading the paper. I'll go grab him."

Ven smiled up at Terra when he heard that his dad was doing something normal... and seemed to be---
He paused when his dad came into the screen. He looked... pale... and tired.
"Hey dad... are you alright?" Ven swallowed, never seeing his dad like this.
The man nodded, though he seemed a bit disoriented. "I'm fine... just tired and... dizzy. Yourself?"


Sai crossed his arms and growled some to himself, looking away as the moon continued to rotate around them a bit. "Should be it..." He huffed and Demyx agreed. All they could do now as put in some prayer that Roxas, Fuu and the rest of the gang could find the baby soon... and Sai knew how their time limit was, shutting Demyx up when he started to babble before nodding to Fuu and the Charizard, seeing them already ready and mounted.

"Good luck..." Sai said as he looked at Roxas before nodding. "And thank you... for helping me open my eyes that day."

[Reno]

Green eyes blinked before turning on the brunete. "Attacked by Zapdos?"
The brunette rubbed the back of his head shyily. "Yeah I got shocked pretty badly. Was in the hospital for days and the rest of our friends kept going since we weren't sure when I'd be on my feet again."
"What were you thinking little man?!" Shaymin said looking towards Sora in surprise. "Didn't you at least use light screen?!"
"Err well no I uh... can't do that."
"Oh well I wouldn't have gotten hurt at all!"
"Oh really?!" Sora cracked a smile.
"Naturally!"

They continued to talk some until the great dragon sighed again and Shaymin laughed nervously, before flying over and landing on the Pokemon's head. "I'm sorry Giratina! You know how I get! Go on ahead and say something!" The Pokemon gave him a dull look (despite him being on his head and unable to see it). "Oh, I suppose I'll have to translate. You know it's so silly, humans learn all these languages to speak to themseleves but none of them ever learn ours! There's French and Spanish and one called... well I can't remember but it must be easy since it ends in -ese. Then there's- whoa!"
The little green Pokemon flew off Giratina's head as he shook him off irritably. He fell some before he came flying right back up. "Okay, okay I'll stop talking. Though I'm talking now and that creates a paradox and-" He burst into laughter when his friend sighed again.

Sora shook his head at the two legends strange behavior glancing back at Riku before scooting closer to him. "I'd ask why were here but it might be days before we get an answer." He teased, unable to stop a grin from splitting his lips.
"I heard that!"


Terra settled in the seat beside Ven, an arm automatically wrapping around his waist and bringing him close as he dialed his relative's house. He frowned a little as he saw the woman, able to hear her over the phone Ven was holding close by. He eavesdropped shamelessly before he saw her walk away, leaving them to stare in the living room where he could see a small Goldeen in a large tank swimming around and a few pictures on the wall. They were probably trapped in Kanto by now... in fact all the regions were cut off from one another by now, the lowlands having been drowned, it was a wonder electricity still worked.

Everyone was trapped now.

He looked up seeing a man take the screen next and his blood boiled a little at the sight of him again. He still has an incredible urge to bash his face in but even he knew better then to kick a man when he was down. Besides he couldn't exactly do that with a screen anyways...

So he just held onto Ven as he talked with his dad, knowing the sight of him weak and drained was hard on the young blonde. If Sirocco noticed him he made no indication of it, ignoring him completely.


"Ah you guys that was so good! You know you two would make great friends! And I think that-mphghpa!" The tried to say but Demyx was silence by a hand over his mouth and he pouted.

Roxas shook his head but smiled some. He had told them everything when he came back from town. He hadn't spoken to Axel, the red-head already fast asleep but Diliza promised to pass on the message for him. He supposed, with only a few days left, it didn't matter anyways. The whole world could know and it might not make a difference at all, except now everyone would know what they were dying for.

He was about to step away from the others, join Fuu on Chriselda and be on his way, when Sai's next words froze him in his spot. He hesitated, before slowly looking at the other man, speechless. "I... you...your..." The blonde shifted on his feet. "You... you really shouldn't thank me that. I didn't do anything at all..."
Sai didn't say anything to refute that, but he didn't expect him too. It must of been hard enough... just to say that.
"You know you're not a bad guy Saix. Now if only you'd smile more, people wouldn't mistake you for Garchomps." He grinned suddenly, laughing at the expression on his face, "See you guys!" He turned and hurried over to Fuujin, jumping on behind her.

The wings flapped before the dragon gave a powerful jump and they were in the air, Saix looking up sat them while Demyx waved goodbye and maybe even sang a song though he couldn't hear the words.

[Rikugurl]

Riku nodded as he agreed with his fiance. He never saw Shaymin quite like this... but he was kind of glad that some legendaries were on their side. He was about to verbally agree when---
"AAAAH!" He yelped as he grabbed onto a relief on the beast's back as it moved, seeming to swoop downward. Silver hair whipped behind him as they swirled down and down into the odd land until they slammed back into his body as he stopped.

Riku quickly grabbed all the bags but one that had their breakfast that he bought slipped off to quickly. As Riku went to grab it.. he paused, seeing that it fell into... water?
Aquamarine eyes looked out, gasping some as he saw that there was nothing but water down here.

The back end of Giratina, his tail, shifted as smacked into the water, making it splash onto the humans.
"Giiiiiiiiiiiiir, TINA! GIIIIIIR!" The dragon seemed to speak as Sora giggled from being splashed... but Riku knew that he wasn't trying to play with them.
"Ut... your world is... flooding too." Riku frowned, making Sora stop and become serious.
Shaymin confirmed... before Riku shook his head. "We want to help but... we don't even know where our friends are right now."

Before anything else could be said, they were soaring back up and around the world, passing bubbles left and right. This was when the dragon started to try and speak again, Shaymin translating.

He would help them find his friends.

Before Riku could ask how, he spotted someONE in one of the bubbles. "HEY! It's Aqua!" He pointed, seeing her... brush her teeth?


Ven nodded, biting his lip as he looked down. "Yea...I'm fine too. Tired but... you know."
"Have you been able to do what you wanted to yet?" The elder man asked, seeming to be interested.
"N-no... not yet. But---" He paused, frowning a bit as he was going to tell his dad what happened to Sora but... he didn't want to worry his dad. He already looked pretty bad. "We're close. I just wanted to check up on you and let you know everyone's fine."

The older man smiled before a large bird perched next to him. "GEOT!"
"Haha, hey there, Pigeot." Ven chuckled, watching his dad pet her.
"Well, thank you for keeping in touch. I hope this bizarre flooding will stop soon... so we can all get back together again."
His eyes shifted to look at Terra, licking his lips some to wet them. "How are you faring?"

[Reno]

Shaymin blinked as his friend took off suddenly, hurrying after him as the two humans held on for dear life. Around them, the world passed them by, long, thin ice like structures stretching from one half of the world and the other. They acted like support beams, as if this whole reflection world was like the core of the main one, holding up either pole. The rest of the world held buildings and meadows and plants, but they were strange.

When looking at it right-side up, one could see a broken slab of land, perfectly circular standing on an almost impossible structure that seemed as thin as a straw going down into the darkness. On the circular structures would be trees or buildings that matched those in the 'real' world perfectly, but there the top was - like the roof or high branches - another exactly alike was built atop it but upside down, as if a mirror had been placed precisely over the top to reflect it. Then there the trunk or foundation ended, another reflection was stacked atop it. These stacks would continued over and over until they reached high in the sky and became unseen - and most disturbingly, it was all quite real.

Spiraling in random directions would be stairs breaking off in random directions or land twisting in corkscrews and loops like it was a roller coaster, seeming impossible to walk upon. Most spiraled upward or downward into hollows of the rock structures, becoming caves, some lightning by glowing crystals or other holes in the rocks reflecting the light of the world within.

Despite it's almost nauseating appearance, Sora couldn't help but find the place beautiful in it's own artistic way. He wished he had time to tell Giratina to slow down so he could admire more but he seemed in a rush. He really wanted to go exploring, maybe check and see if he could really walk upside down!

Instead he practically flew into Riku when they came to an abrupt stop, sprawling out some of the large creature's back. He was a bit disoriented, not even noticing as their things started to slip, but luckily Riku did. He sat up some, looking about, but laughed as water sprayed over them in a gentle rain, making him feel like they had just come to the end of a log ride. His joy didn't last long though when he heard his fiance, frowning some - then frowning more as Shaymin told them they needed their help. The entire world needed their help but they couldn't do much - not without knowing where Axel and the other's were.

"Whoa!!" Sora called flailing before he grabbed onto Riku securely. He wasn't sure what it was about this place, because Giratina was flying smoothly enough and he was sure he wouldn't fall off but he felt like he was made of tiny toothpicks or something. He was almost worried he would fly would off of the legendary's back and hover around like a kite or something. And how was Shaymin keeping up anyways?!

When Riku called out, Giratina leveled off more, circling one of the bubbles that looked like the kind you could buy in a store that cost a quarter and would smell like dish soap and certainly didn't taste good if you tried to eat one of those bubbles. They were certainly fun to catch...
But even more interesting was seeing Aqua reflected there. Could... could these bubbles see out of reflective surfaces like water and mirrors? Was that why...?
"Stupid Axel and his stupid stupidness." Aqua was grumbling around her toothbrush. She didn't seem to notice that they were watching her. He wondered if Riku would be okay with a house that had no mirrors...

"Oh yes! I remember her. She liked naked things, right?" Shaymin said happily. And knowing the map of this place well from his many visits, he continued. "They were not so far at all, only a town away."
"Only a town...? You mean in Solaceon!?" That couldn't be right! They should be in Celestic town at least - more preferably up on Route 216 or 217. Worry curled in his gut. That meant something bad must have happened... "They should be closer to Snowpoint!"
"Oh dear... I'm afraid there is no time to travel that far." Shaymin worried. "Giratina says there is only two days left."

Sora shared a look with Riku and then looked down at the large dragon's back, trying not to let hopelessness drag his heart down. Only two days? Two days to travel across a sea to a town they weren't even sure had the baby? Two days to save an entire world from being flooded?
He sighed placing a hand against his forehead, some of the bandages still wrapped around his arms crinkling. His eyes became thoughtful but troubled. "We need more time. What are we going to do...?"


Terra listened to the two talk quietly, leaning a little more against Ven. It was almost as if the fight back in the hospital had never happened, the way the two talked now. There seemed to be no more nasty words shared between them like there was across the kitchen table laden with phone books and half-written lists. The more they talked, the more calm he felt however. It seemed somehow, somewhere along the way, all was forgotten or forgiven or accepted. He wasn't sure which but he supposed it didn't matter.

He blinked in surprise when eyes suddenly landed on him and he was asked the last question he was expecting. He was about ninety-nine percent positive he was just asking for Ven's benefit rather than actually caring, but he supposed he could play along. "I'm fine..." He stated simply, unsure what else to really say. At least he was trying.

It was more than his father ever did. Fuck, his father never even asked that. He was glad he had his mother, but still he wondered what it must have been like the the triplets, growing up with both parents who loved you.