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Post by Reno on Feb 14, 2011 19:07:08 GMT -5
Roxas chuckled, looking around, seeing what Axel could see and nodded in agreement. “I suppose so.” He leaned against the other’s shoulder, his eyes falling shut, just enjoying the music. “But hopefully it’ll be mostly calm.”
Haha, if only…
But, an interesting year was a perfect description – and not only for the second generation, but for the first as well.
“Wolf, you got him! Use Dark Pulse!”
“Miii!”
“Not so fast Terra!” Came a proud call, “Reg’ use thunderbolt and spin!”
“Pika!” The Pikachu who had been high up in the air from an attack that sent him sailing. He twisted his body around, electricity sparking all around as he started to twist his body rapidly like a protective cloak, so he seemed to cut right through the dark pulse as he dived down for the Mightyena.
“Yena?!”
“The hell?!”
“And transfer it to your tail! Use iron tail!”
“Pi!” Before Terra could react, the Pikachu was right in front of the Mightyena, twisting around and hitting the dog right in the face. The creature howled as he was hit not only by that but electricity that the steel-type attack easily conducted. The canine hit the ground, swirls in his eyes.
“Good job Reggie!” Sora grinned as the Pikachu hurried back to his side of the field, getting ready for the next opponent.
“Pika-pi!” A small Pikachu with a flower settled behind her ear was waving around a little flag as if to cheer for her son. She was sitting in the lap of a tall silverette who was watching the battle, several other Pokemon crowded around him. Including one old, spiky fox who sighed wistfully.
“Just what I’d expect from you Sora.” The brunette who came to challenge him sighed as he recalled the Mightyena – the same Mightyena who, a year ago, was a young pooch that stole his sandwich right off his plate. “Heh, it’s alright Wolf, you did great.” He spoke encouragingly to the Pokeball, chuckling as it shook some as if his friend was saying ‘No, not until I’m as strong as Houndoom!’
He set the ball back on his belt and reached for another, looking sure of himself, “But it ends here Sora!” The new choice, in a burst of light, made Sora grin. The young Flygon was full of energy as he flapped his wings and circled the field, before landing in a crouch.
“A ground type against electric types. Of course, but you DO remember Raichu, right?”
“Heh, no one can forget that.” The two shared a nostalgic smile, remembering a battle years ago when the tables were turned and Sora had come to challenge Terra in a six-on-six match. Terra, down to his last two Pokemon; Raichu just having taken down Leafeon was bravely ready to face his Flygon. The battle had been fierce and though the mouse only had one true attack to do any damage, he held his own and wore the dragon down, facing some fierce attacks. The electric type hadn’t won, but he paved the way for Jolteon to take down the dragon before facing off with Houndoom. It had been a great match.
Now, it was almost ironic; the son of Flygon and the son of Raichu facing off.
“Silver wind!”
“Agility!” Zips of yellow rushed over the field, dodging the white, crescent-moon shaped strikes of power that seemed to appear each time the dragonfly flapped his wings.
The battle continued. Just as before, the two trainers were fighting between speed and power – but it was Reggie, like his father, who fell first. There was a small, mournful cry from the stands as the young mouse was recalled – only for a second, more surprising, choice to burst on the scene. “Alright Chief, let’s go!”
Another wolf appeared from a pokeball, but this time he was a blue and yellow dog. Red eyes scoured the scene before narrowing on his opponent and grinning. The sight of the Manectric made even Riku smile; after years of battling with his own fears regarding these creatures, Sora had finally found the courage to own one.
And not just any one. Sora never did things half-way it seemed. This Manectric they all knew well for it was once in the possession of a man named Reno. Axel had had a tough time letting his brother’s Pokemon go from the Haven. It was Roxas who explained to him that some Pokemon lived to battle (like a certain Glameow of his he had once freed from the pound) and to keep the electric-type from doing so was almost like taking away his life.
And the formally abused wolf was finally ready to show his true colors. “Alright, let’s show Terra what you can do Chief! Ice beam!”
“What the fu- Dodge that!“
“Fly!”
The battle raged on, and the Manectric was proud as he managed to strike down the bite-loving dragon, but it was Terra’s third and final choice, Torterra, that finally won the elder brunette that match. There were called of disappointment from the bleachers – the only one on the losing who seemed truly happy at the outcome was Sora himself as he met Terra in the middle of the field, shaking his hand. “It was a great match. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, Mr. Elite Four~”
Terra blushed some at the teasing tone, but grinned. Yes, it was true. He took the job. He had more freedom then he realized. He still lived in Sandgem, despite everything, because really the only times he was needed was when a trainer challenged them; or, for league events of course. And now, with all that extra space, Ven and Terra renovated the old field into… a nursery.
Yes, it was true. Ven had worked for his mother for years and years, but the brunette knew the blonde was never as excited or lively… until someone was expecting. And since the pups had to be kept separate from the pack until they were of age anyways and caring for the young was the most tiresome job, it allowed for Ven to keep the mothers close to home and keep an eye on them and lessen the load his poor, aging mother has to deal with.
But, things had not only drastically changed for them. After all, leaving his gym to become part of the Elite Four had left a leader spot open. And who more willing to take that spot then,
“And here it is! The very first badge I get to hand out!” Sora said with a big grin, handing over the rectangular, yellow badge to the brunette; a commemoration for his win.
At first, Riku had been less than thrilled at the prospect. He didn’t want Sora teaching and battling; he would never see his lover again! So, Sora compromised. He quit teaching; at least, sort of. He would only teach one class, for one hour every weekday right after normal schooling hours for any child who was willing to take the course in his very own gym. It was much better this way. He didn’t have the district always breathing down his neck about his teaching ethics or other such nonsense – and at the same time, his other profession only took up as much time as his challengers would. And Terra assured them both that there were weeks were Sora would be bored out of his skull because hardly a trainer at all would end up at his doorstep.
So, with these things in mind and knowing how much his husband desperately wanted it, Riku gave in and helped the brunette in fixing up Volkner’s old gym. Unlike most leaders, they also wouldn’t be living there, and Sora was fine with that too – there was nothing in the world that would make them give up their little seaside home. It would be a big change – but, it was one they were willing to adapt to.
The huge doors shut automatically as the team of Pokemon and people stepped out. “So, what do you think?”
Standing beside Flygon, wings already fluttering and ready to go, Terra looked at Sora, recognizing his nervous excitement as he looked at the gym that was now his own. Tomorrow, the gym would be open to the public and the swarm of willing trainers, both old and new, ready to prove their worth would be a little overwhelming. But, for someone who handled getting shocked and slightly impaired by Zapdos with nothing more than some giddy laughter, he knew this probably would be as easy as walking through daisies for Sora. “I think… you’re going to make a great gym leader.”
Sora blinked at him in surprise, only to be further surprised when a hand caught his own. “Me too,” Said a soft voice beside him, and he smiled up at Riku before looking back at the large doors that were to be officially unlocked tomorrow and nodded. “Right!”
Some bowls were set down on the table, full of chips and salsa. Roxas glanced down at the hand reaching out for a handful already, seeing it was Seifer. If someone told him a year ago that he and Seifer would be in the same room and being cordial with one another, he would of bet all his secret ice cream fund on the bet of ‘That’ll NEVER happen.’ Not that he had a secret ice cream fund or anything… yeaah…
He hesitated before saying, “I still can’t believe a year ago, our kids saved the world.”
“Yeah…” The man agreed, the two seeming awkward. Roxas started to turn around when-
“Hmph, well of course MY kids probably did all the work.”
-he heard THAT. “What?!”
Blue eyes glared into blue eyes, before the smug blonde smirked, “Well naturally. My kids have stronger Pokemon so they must have been doing everything while your kids sat back and watched.”
The slighter of the two crossed his arms and smirked. “Yeah?! Well MY kids know strategy. And everyone knows that’s WAY more important than strength!”
“What was that?! You wanna go chickenwuss?!”
“YEAH I DO!”
Before things could get too out of hand, a voice from the kitchen interrupted, “Rox~ Can you help me with the ice cream babe?”
“….AFTER ice cream.” Roxas said before jumping up from the table and hurrying into the kitchen.
“Yeah that’s what I- OW! Woman!”
“Seifer stop trying to start fights!” Olette chastised.
“So where’s the ice crea- OW! Axel?!?!”
“Roxas, they’re our guests be polite!” Axel sighed.
It was a good thing the two had their lovers to keep them in line.
“So where’s Yazoo?” Olette was asking as the two couples shared lunch, noting the fifth spot was empty.
“I told him lunch would be ready soon, he said he just had something to take care of.” The blonde said – and just as he was, the silverette appeared, a strange smile on his face.
Seifer was the first to spot him, “Well there he is. Come on Yazoo, relax and have lunch and – is that a… tail!?”
Green eyes blinked before looking behind himself, laughing some at the little brown tail poking out from behind him – only to yelp some as Axel reached out and grabbed it. There was a burst of bright light… and then Yazoo was suddenly a small brown and blue fox, laughing away. “It’s just Isa.” The red-head shook his head.
“Hehehe, I’ll eat it all!” He said, jumping up into Olette’s lap and stealing some onagri right off his plate. Just as he was, he heard his name being called from down the hall. “Ut oh, gotta go!” And just like that, the fox was jumping off and out the open door.
“Isa!?” This time, the real Yazoo appeared, a miffed look on his face. As he caught sight of the two families at the table, he asked exasperatedly, “Has anyone seen a me run by?” There were some amused chuckles, all of them pointed out the door. He sighed and trotted outside, a tired looking Drowzee trudging after. “Come on Materia, we’ve almost got him!”
“Zeeee…”
Roxas sighed, shaking his head, “Troublesome fox. I suppose it’s better than Zorua, whose parading around like Flareon half the day.” His eyes slowly turned away from the doorway though to focus on the group across from him, “Speaking of Yazoo though...”
Seifer and Olette shared a look, needing no further explanation, before the bubbly brunette smiled and said, “Well, I still think it’s a great idea. We certainly have some extra funds, and if we all pitch in I’m sure we’ll have enough… I suppose all that’s left is to ask Yazoo.”
Roxas thought anxiously of the little pamphlet burning a hole in his pocket this very moment in which its top page showed a large, Victorian-style multi-sectioned building with grand steps leading up to its entrance. A sign, made of stone, was in full view and the engraving easily readable: Academy of Poke-Arts.
Gunnar thought Kadaj had only managed to win over his heart; but the truth was, he and his elder brother had ended up getting a lot of love whether they realized it or not from the Almasy and Xipil family as well. It really couldn’t be helped. After taking care of him for weeks, Olette’s heart just fell for the quiet, well-mannered and sickly silverette and his cute, concerned and slightly over-protective sibling. And, with Yazoo spending so much of his spare time between the Haven and the rescue center, it was hard for Axel or Roxas not to grow to like him and want to help him too. And for the two boys… it was probably just a comfort for them to realize they had a place they could come to and call home now.
It wasn’t until Kadaj mentioned in passing an old dream of his sibling’s – that he once wished to be an archeologist; but now it seemed impossible because the teachings he would need to be one would cost money. And it sparked off an idea. They could make that dream come true. The only hesitance was that they would be dipping into their OWN childrens’ funds to do so… but with that money currently being unused and sharing it between the two of them, it seemed like it could work out. And besides, Roxas knew if he needed too he could ask his twins to give him a hand.
Of course, none of this might matter at all… if Yazoo didn’t want to be an archeologist or anything of that nature anymore. If he was truly happy with his life now, then they wouldn’t pressure him. They just wanted to give the boy the chance he never had before; a chance to live out his dreams, just like his sibling was.
“See, wasn’t that easy?” Yazoo was saying as he walked inside, holding a squirming fox in his arms.
“Drooow…” His Pokemon sighed, looking like she needed a good nap and some time away from all these meddling children. There was a chuckle, and Isa hopped out of his arms, turning around and grinning before jumping up and there was a pink glow… and the fox landed again. Except this time he was a gray and red fox. He turned and scurried off into the halls the care center.
“Did… he just transform into his brother…?” Axel asked in confusion.
“…His name should have been Kadaj. They both love trickery too much.” Yazoo sighed but he sounded almost fond.
Olette chuckled and waved her hand, motioning the boy over, “Oh well, don’t worry too much Yaz. Come here and have some lunch. We need to speak with you…”
There was no time to talk. No time to share words or worries.
No, now was the time for action.
”Luci!”
”Got it!” The blonde yelled in return, her hair held back by a blue ribbon, covering her ears as the explosive went off. Before the smoke even cleared, she was on her feet and inside the building. A couple rangers were ahead of her, but by her side, like she knew he would be, was Sammy. The leader, another top ranger named Richie, made a few hand motions. The teams split up across the building, knowing where to go because they knew the blueprints of the place ahead of time.
It was only a small Team Magma base; but their movements in Hoenn were going from a nuisance to concerning. More and more bases were appearing; they were gaining a lot of power. Their mission was to infiltrate and free what Pokemon they could.
Lucina paused as they came to the corner of their hall. She pressed herself flat against the wall, careful as she peered around the edge of the wall and down the new hall. Bingo. There was a Houndoom sitting in front of a door. Unlike Terra’s lovable and somewhat dorky friend, this one looked fierce and ready to fight. But it gave her all the information she needed. People didn’t guard things they didn’t want to protect.
“Pokemon guard. Just one.” She murmured softly, glancing back into purple eyes. They shared a smile before they held their fists out towards one another, shaking them once, twice, thrice. And then Lucina had to hold back a giggle as she ‘crushed’ Sammy’s ‘scissors’, giving him a kiss on the cheek that made him blush to ward away his pout of disappointment.
She reached for her belt and pulled off her styler, before aiming it down the hall. Zing The little disc called as it flew. Red eyes blinked and looked around herself as blue rings wrapped around her body, one, two, three. Then they glowed a bright blue and the connection was made. As the two rangers walked down the hall, she greeted them with a friendly bark and a wagging tail, stepping back and happily allowed them to enter.
The mission eventually ended. No one was hurt; well, at least, no ranger was hurt. The same couldn’t be said for the Team Magma members who were currently being hauled away by the authorities. But for the rest of them, they relaxed a little. Lucina and Sam sat in the back of the SUV-type vehicle, surrounded by Pokemon at every end it seemed. The girl sighed, leaning up against the black-haired boy, not minding too much as the suddenly friendly Houndoom laid her head on her thigh. She reached out, scratching her behind her ear and smiling. “Heh, I told my dad ‘No, nothing dangerous. I’ll do all the easy missions; Cooking and cleaning after the Pokemon is the job for me’. Heh, if he knew what I was doing now, he’d probably yell so loud the volcano in Lavaridge would erupt again. Bet you don’t know how that feels, huh, girl?”
”She will soon.”
”Huh?” Lucina glanced over at her partners, knowing it was Shaymin this time who was speaking for himself.
”She’s pregnant.”
”Really?!” The blonde said, her eyes widening in surprise. They put a pregnant Pokemon… on duty?! Teams were really disgusting. If they hadn’t of gotten there when they had or if this Pokemon had been injured her puppies would have been…
She supposed there was no use thinking of it negatively when everything turned out for the better. She smiled, running her fingers along the dog’s muzzle, but her eyes got a faraway look to them. “Babies huh… I wonder…”
There was a chuckle beside her. This time it was ‘Sammy’ who spoke. ”Missing Roxanne?”
”What!?” Lucina cried, a blush streaking her cheeks. “N-No way! I was… was just thinking it’s about time I give barrettes a call and make sure she knows I’m still the best!”
His smile turned sincere as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and this time signed to her, ‘It’s okay to have friends.’
She blinked some, before looking away, smiling some, “Yeah… I know.” She glanced at him in the corner of her eye, before grinning, “It’s okay to have girlfriends too you know.”
Violet eyes blinked cluelessly at her for a moment, but only shut his eyes as their lips met in a sweet kiss.
“Wow Uncle just look at Bryna! It’s hard to believe she was ever premature!” A boy, best known as Roxel, was saying as the happy pooch came running up to him. She seemed to have as much energy as any other Pokemon, but there were hidden defects in her. It was because of these defects that she could never be anything more than… a pet.
“Hey, how about a treat?” The red-head said with a grin, reaching into a bowl on the counter that was full of doggy treats – only to get his hand smacked from the girl behind the counter. She was a tall blonde, her hair done up in barrettes and her brown eyes half-hidden behind her glasses. But Roxel knew her better as- “OW! Roxy!!” His dear sister.
She looked at him testily, “You spoil her too much.” Before sharing a smile with Ven, “Hey Uncle Ven. Glad you could visit.”
“Anything for my favorite niece~”
“I’m you’re ONLY niece Uncle.”
“Exactly, that’s why you’re my favorite.”
“Haha, you’re very charming, I can see why Uncle Terra can’t get enough of you.” She stuck her tongue out playfully before standing from the counter where she had been focused on her computer. She had discovered the hard way that contacts and computer didn’t mix. It dried out her eyes and made them hurt quicker. So, now she hardly wore the green-colored lenses at all.
Come, on the babies are this way~” She said, leading the way with Ven following after neither noticing as Roxel snuck a look around before, with a grin, snuck a treat out of the bowl and threw it to Bryna. The pooch caught it effortlessly, happily munching away.
Roxanne pushed open another door, waving her uncle over to where a crib-like structure was. Inside, surrounded by heated blankets, were six tiny, hairless creatures but one could see from where their skin was darker and lighter in spots where dark and light fur would grow- it was in a striped pattern on their body. Even small and helpless, Ven was able to recognize the features of the tiny Zigzagoons. “Wow they’re pretty big for premees.”
“Well, they are a week old.” Roxanne said with a smile. The birth of these little bundles was quite tragic really. A pregnant Linoone was in her owner’s backyard when a predator spotted her and attacked. The trainer discovered too late what was happening and rushed out to help; but even with a trip to the Pokemon center there was nothing to be done for her. But the babies were able to be saved, even though they were still a little off from full maturity.
And that’s how they ended up here in the R and R orphanage. The R’s were for Rescue and Recovery.
She always knew she would end up back in rescuing; but she never imagined it would lead her here. She wasn’t sure who she ultimately owed the idea too. She did, however, know the culmination of events that led up to it. After the rescue mission, there group got much smaller. Lucina and Sam, of course, went back to the rangers. Namine stayed around for a month or so as she culminated her work effort, before setting off to finally go and take her exam into becoming a real Pokemon nurse… and Sanyi of course followed. As for the rest of them, Tensai, Gunnar, Kadaj and herself continued battling for badges, while Bonnie continued training for contests and Roxel working on his music. As they passed Sandgem on their way back into Sinnoh, Gunnar decided to try battling Terra again.
He lost.
….Badly.
But, it gave them an opportunity to see Bryna, the premature Poochyena pup Ven had separated from its family and help keep alive. By then, she already had her eyes opened and was learning to crawl. She was… so cute and precious and it was unbelievable to think if Ven hadn’t intervened she probably would have been abandoned or killed. That, along with Terra who told them the good news about accepting the Elite Four invitation and his decision to change the gym into the nursery, was like an epiphany.
And suddenly she knew what she wanted to do. When she mentioned her plans, Roxel, like always, seemed to be on the same wavelength as her. And, one thing became another: some money from their parents turned an old building into something new, a little paint made the place shine, some toys and beds were quickly filled by needy Pokemon – and before they knew it their orphanage, which welcomed all motherless and fatherless baby Pokemon, had taken wing. They were a little young to own a business, but there were co-funded by both Ranger and Rescuer stations alike – so money, and occupants, never seemed to be a problem.
They stepped out from the incubation center and entered a new room which was full of more exuberant life. It was the playroom. Some of her and Roxel’s Pokemon were out, acting like guardians as they watched the young Pokemon played. When it was naptime, it was Roxel who was in charge of putting the Pokemon to sleep, able to sing lullabies with his Pokemon ‘band’. But, between the two of them and their ten Pokemon, the job was getting a little tough. Little ones needed a lot of attention – and those in the incubation center needed more than anyone. They were getting to the point that they knew they might need to make some changes – or hire some people at the very least!
“I think you guys are doing great with them.” Ven was saying, chuckling as he saw a baby Gible and a baby slowpoke competing over who could open their mouth the widest. “They’re going to be just fine. Just remember what I told you.”
The girl nodded and smiled, “I will Uncle. Thanks for coming all this way to check up on them.”
“It wasn’t that far out. After all, Bonnie’s contest is just a town away.”
“I know.” Roxanne grinned, knowing her girlfriend had made it to the Grand Festival – it was the biggest contest of the decade and thanks to all the ribbons she had won, Bonnie easily qualified. Ven was visiting, of course, to see her compete and Terra was apparently going to fly in soon as well.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, won’t I?”
“Of course! Wouldn’t miss it.” Unfortunately, they couldn’t leave the pups, especially the zigzagoon who needed hourly care, alone for that long. So Roxel, being the best brother in the world, said he could handle it until the contest was over – as long as she promised not to stay away TOO long.
The blonde smiled, looking like he was about to say something when a call behind them made them look back. “Roxy! Luci’s on the phone!”
“Ah, alright!” She called, before hurrying out of the room. “Bet you my chores she’s just calling to gloat!”
“Wait a sec- Ugh, she always picks the good bet!” Roxel complained, but Ven couldn’t help but laugh.
“Don’t worry it’ll bite her in the ass one day.” He said with a nod. He glanced at the boy from the corner of his eye, before saying, “You know… what you’re doing for your sister… it’s really nice. Not only that but you’re really helping to make the day special for Bonnie too so… thanks.” The red-head blinked, looking at Ven as if he wasn’t sure he was still his uncle or not. “W-What!?”
“Are you being mind-controlled Uncle?”
“Ugh, way to ruin the moment kid!”
It was times like these that made Sanyi glad he was alive.
“Haha, hold on Miss Namaine!”
“What San-YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!” He chuckled breathlessly as her arms nearly broke his ribs as they dived down towards the trees in a spiral. He gripped the reigns harder, before pulling the reigns hard and suddenly, they flipped and soared over the treetops.
“Alright, great job Icarus!” Sanyi praised while Namine gagged behind him. “He’s doing great now, see?”
“Uuuuugh….”
“And here’s the best part! Ickus, you know what to do!”
“Fly, Fly!” Green wings, trimmed with orange, flapped hard, gliding them up high and higher. They flew up and up, soaring right through fluffy but over-casting white clouds and dampening their skin some, before they appeared above them. The Flygon flapped his wings again, steadying them on the air current, making a pleasant purring noise as his long blue antennae were pet.
“So what do you think?”
“What do I think!? I think I just about lost my lunch and if YOU - …………. Wooooooooow!”
Sanyi grinned. Under them was nothing but a land of clouds, prisms of rainbow able to be seen at certain angles if the sunlight rays hit them just right. It was like they were on wonderland. He knew she had never been at such a high elevation before; Togekiss – and most flying Pokemon in general – just couldn’t get this high because of how powerful the currents were going up. “Welcome to the kingdom of dragons.” He said with a grin. “I’m going to be a prince. Would you like to be a princess?”
“What does that make Icarus?” She asked, playing along.
“Well, King I suppose.”
“Gon!” Naturally!
“And our castle?”
“It’s there.” Sanyi pointed to a mountain top poking through the clouds, “And our people live on the clouds.”
She chuckled, leaning her head on his shoulder, as Sanyi led the Pokemon in slow-moving circles across their imaginary kingdom. The made up the land as they went, pointing out where farmers would be and where the aristocrats would live and where the dragons roamed – of course since everything looked the same, if they circled over their ‘land’ again neither could tell. But finally, Namine had to ask, “Sanyi?”
“Hmmm?”
“Was there a reason you brought me up here?”
“Well yeah! I wanted to show you how well Icarus was doing since you treated him all those months ago.” The Flygon had been discovered in an old warehouse. They assumed he was flying somewhere when he grew tired and landed on the warehouse’ ceiling, ignorant to the fact that it was weakened from age and disuse. It collapsed and the poor dragon with it. When authorities found him, he was badly injured, and they brought him into the center. It was his tail that was most concerning. Like most creatures with tails, it was their balance – but in flight this was twice as important because without their tails there was no way to keep balance in the air and Pokemon would simply plummet. And for Icarus, it was sad to say that unlike other Flygons, who had three-pronged tails that led them in flight, he now only had two. The middle one had been ripped off in the disaster – and Namine announced it was possible he might never fly again.
When Sanyi found Namine nursing him back to full health, it was safe to say he fell in love. He had always admired Flygons, especially due to the fact his uncles owned a couple. But when he learned about the creature’s possible flightless life… well, Sanyi just couldn’t take that. He threw himself into the project, earning the Flygon’s trust and, with Draco’s help, helping him find a way to balance himself with his incomplete tail. He spent hours every day with the other, never giving up even when it seemed hopeless, and when they managed to finally glide those first tremendous ten meters… hope was finally lit between them. It two four grueling, long months. And after the fact, Sanyi was sure that would be it and the Flygon would continue on his way. But instead… he stayed. So, Sanyi named him Icarus, after the story of the boy who grew wings and grew too close to the sun so that they burned off and he fell from the sky.
“Yes. He is doing excellently.” Namine agreed with a faint smile, patting the dragon’s smooth-skinned side.
“I also thought… you could use a break.” He continued, before glancing back at her. “It’s only lunchtime and you’ve already taken care of a poisoned Bellsprout, an injured Vigoroth, a birthing, AND five trainers teams. And you don’t just do this every once and awhile, but every day since you opened the center. You’re taking a lot on your plate.”
“Yes but they needed my help!”
“I know. You’re an amazing nurse Namine… but even you need a little bit of rest and relaxation every now and again.” He smiled in return. “You live more at the center than you do at home!”
“But… I do live in the center?”
Sanyi almost laughed; for a moment, she almost sounded like Roxel! “You know what I mean!”
“I do.” She said with a smile before her grip turned into less of a death-defying clutching and more into an embrace. “Thanks for being so thoughtful.”
Glowing eyes narrowed, his mind focused on the three plates above him as his hand moved slowly, his wrist slowly twisting as the plates did, circling over and over. On top of the plates, a happy green spider was walking across the clean surfaces in the opposite direction, as if it was a continuous treadmill. Suddenly, in his line of vision, he noticed orange eyes peering down at him.
“You’re getting really good!” Tensai chirped at the lounging silverette.
“Thank you Tensai.” He responded, seeming pleased. It had been about a year since he went to Saffron with Gunnar and his brother to meet Sabrina. The woman was, in one word, terrifying. Oh, nothing outwardly of course. She wasn’t much of a people-person, but was nice enough. It was more of an inner presence she had, something Kadaj attributed to his over-sensitized sixth sense. Her psychic ability was just overbearing. Gunnar thought he was just being weird again.
However, meeting her was enlightening on many levels. To his shock, Sabrina even told him that during her younger years, she actually had classes held on how to hone one’s psychic ability. It was… unimaginable!
So he begged her to teach him. Yazoo didn’t seem quite as interested, but Kadaj knew he wanted to learn.
”Why should I?”
“Because… Once I managed to save two lives using this… this power. I ‘caught’ them, but I was too weak to do more and I almost couldn’t hold onto them before help could get to them. Next time… there might not be someone else around to help.” He met her eyes, determination seeming to burn there, “And I don’t want that to happen. I finally made friends… and they are very precious to me. I… want to be able to help them if they ever need me.”
Dark, navy eyes stared at him for a few long, silent seconds… before finally she sighed and shut her eyes, nodding. “One week.”
“One week?”
“Yes. In one week I will teach you everything you need to know. But after that, you’re on your own.”
“I do need the plates though for dinner.” Tensai said.
“Oh. Alright Loz, practice is over.”
“Spina!” The spider swung down from a webby string and landed on his chest while Tensai took the plates right out of the air.
“Ugh, are we really going to eat off those? They’ve got spider germs all over it.” Came a complaint from the far side of camp. Kadaj turned his head, green eyes meeting green eyes. But, unlike before, these eyes only held a teasing light in them.
“Careful Gunnar, or you’ll wake up tomorrow in a giant spider web.”
Tensai listened to their banter as they went back and forth with a roll of his eyes and a shake of his head as he scooped the stir fry dish onto each plate, “You two lovebirds are going to make me lose my appetite.”
He stood handing out the two plates before sitting down to his own dinner. Around them, their Pokemon were settled, most of them already asleep. Some of them were already exhausted thanks to the rigorous battle training they had had today. They were a strange trio really; Tensai never imagined things to end up like this. When he started out his journey, he pictured it ending like it had begun – with his cousins at his side. Now none of them were here and he should have expected it. They all had their own dreams and if they wanted to follow them, they had to take hold of the reigns of their lives and steer it the way they willed it to.
Heh, that was kind of poetic.
Besides, being around Gunnar and Kadaj wasn’t so bad. He expected it to be awful with how jerkish Gunnar could be sometimes. After all this was the same man who made him cry after his very first gym battle. But, and maybe it was the missions or Kadaj being there or maybe it was Lucina NOT being there, but the brunette seemed to have tempered his well… temper quite a lot. He was still pretty smug, but he’d lost that in-your-face attitude that had always grated his nerves. It was even possible to say the brunette was just maturing.
And Kadaj well… he hadn’t known the silverette long, so that made the idea of it all even more uncomfortable. But, he learned, the teen was fairly pleasant. Life had too long been stolen from him; he was curious about everything and daring enough to try anything. He was also a very quick learner. It seemed ages ago they had taught Kadaj the basics of Pokemon battling and now he had enough badges to make small fortune of necklaces out of them.
Tensai could tell Gunnar was jealous – at the same time, complete enamored. It was so obvious how poochy-struck the brunette was for the silverette, even when they were trying (and failing) to hide their relationship. It was kind of hard not to figure it out though when he was looking for a tree to take a piss at and instead found the two making out. Tensai teased them endlessly after that; but at the same time he felt happy for them. They were good for each other; in a strange way, they matched. They had similar passions for battling, they both were protective and strong-willed, and they both loved a good competition especially between each other. They even once had a race…
It was too bad they were both put to shame when Tensai won.
”How is that possible? You didn’t run that fast from the Ponyta stampede!” Gunnar accused, catching his breath.
Tensai just smiled. “Well I would have… But you know Roxel. He’d trip over air if there isn’t someone there to keep him steady.”
“….” Kadaj grinned wickedly, “Are you sure it’s Gunnar and I that are dating?”
“Hey! Shut up!!”
Heh, that was the last race they ever had.
After dinner, Gunnar took the plates down to the river to wash them while Kadaj and Tensai set up the sleeping bags. It was a nice night, perfect for one under the stars. As they settled in around the campfire, enjoying its warmth and stared up at the stars twinkling magnificently above them, Gunnar glanced over when he heard a soft ringing noise.
It was Tensai, holding up a piece of metal he recognized quickly. It was a keychain that Roxel had given to Tensai the day the red-head left to go and start the Pokemon orphanage with Roxanne. It was simple; a gray-colored keyboard with music notes hovering over it, and a little Chatot perched at end, its head turned just so that it seemed to fit into the pattern of notes.
Kadaj had noticed the action as well and smiled faintly. “You miss him.”
“Huh?” The orange-eyed boy glanced over and shrugged, but smiled. “I guess so, but we’ll see him soon!”
“Tomorrow, huh?” Gunnar tipped his head back, eyes searching for shooting stars.
“Yeah… tomorrow.”
The day was today.
A nervous sigh filled the dressing room, long, carefully painted nails brushing away an imaginary speck of dust from her costume. It was a big day; the biggest one of the year – maybe her whole career!
She wasn’t nervous. No, she was Bonnie Tellus. She had won countless ribbons, been on every daily talk show from Pokelife to Netmon. She had trophies, she had fan mail, she had hand ache from autographing, she had articles! This was just another day. No big deal. Oh, who was she kidding?
She sighed again, glancing around at her team, seeing her various Pokemon poised and ready before she turned back to her appearance. She heard footsteps behind her but, thinking it another contestant, paid it no heed. She was wearing brown tones that nicely complimented her skin tone. She was wearing a white ruffled blouse with a brown best with gold buttons. Hey pants were baggy and dark and she wore black heeled boots that seemed to shine. Atop her head, holding back some of her curled, bead-strung hair, was a fancy brown hat with feathers and, to complete the image, was a toy rapier sword strapped to her side. She looked just like-
“Gonna make your competition walk the plank Captain Bonnie?”
Dark eyes instinctively shot to the corner of the mirror before she spun around, smiling, “Roxanne!”
The blonde grinned, laughing as the other practically charged into her with a hug. “I was afraid you wouldn’t make it.”
“No way! I’d never miss this day!” Roxanne said before leaning down to give her a kiss. A very, very nice, loooong kiss. Until of course, someone cleared their throat from nearby and they broke away. But the sight of who he – or moreso, they – were cheered up the pirate-to-be.
“You guys made it!”
“Well, of course we did!” Lucina said, crossing her arms as if insulted. “An Almasy-“
“Does this and does that and everything else great. We get it, really.” Kadaj intoned boredly, have heard enough of the ‘An Almasy is’ quotes to last a lifetime. He grunted slightly as Gunnar elbowed him.
Sammy walked over to her, smiling as he held out a bouquet of flowers.
“Heh, Thanks Sam. But aren’t you supposed to give these to me after I win?”
”Why? You’re already a winner to us.” He’said’ honestly, making her blush.
“Yeah! And, you look great!” Namine spoke up, eyes shining in clear admiration.
“Mmm… yes, beautiful.” Roxanne said, catching Bonnie’s hand and holding it. For some reason, it made her feel much better, as if the simple touch was enough to reassure her everything would be alright.
“Heh, thanks guys.” She said. There was a slight lull in the conversation as everyone found a place to sit.
“So, how do you feel?” Sanyi asked as he took a seat on the bench.
“Not gonna choke are ya?” Gunnar teased, only for it to be his turn to grunt as Kadaj kicked him.
“Careful, she’s got a sword. And no one is going to want to be your shield.” The silverette teased him.
The tall woman chuckled some, before answering honestly, “I’m a little nervous.”
“Why? Bon-Bon, you’re going to do great.” Roxanne encouraged, “You have nothing to worry about.”
The dark-skinned woman smiled to her, “I suppose not…”
“Where are Uncle Terra and Uncle Ven?”
“They already left to find their seats.” Bonnie said, before looking around and taking notice of one missing person. Well, two technically, but Roxel was absent for a good reason. But what about…? “Where’s Tensai?”
“Hmph, he stole Hotaru from me and ran off.” Roxy said testily.
“What? Why?”
Kadaj and Gunnar shared a look that seemed to speak volumes, before the silverette clarified with a cheeky grin, “He was a bit upset to find out Roxel was back at the orphanage and would be all alone. So, he decided to go join him. But he wanted us to tell you he wishes you the best.”
Oi, that Nancy boy… She seemed a tiny bit put out by this, wondering why the teen couldn’t at least run in and say hello, but just let it be. Sometimes, Tensai could be so much like Roxel in the fact that he acted before thinking. She’d get back at him for it.
Just as they were about to brooch a new topic, a call reverberated in the contestant area from the loudspeaker, The contest starts in ten minutes. All non-participants must now vacate the area please. Bonnie felt her stomach explode in nerves yet again – and just when she was starting to relax!
The team shared some glances, before they sighed and stood. They offered hugs, well-wishes, encouragement of how great she was going to do, and let her know they’d be watching before they started to pile out of the room. Only Roxanne hesitated, until it was only them and the Pokemon. “You sure you’re alright?” She asked, running a hand along her cheek.
“I… yeah, I’m fine. I just wish you could be on that stage with me.”
Roxanne smiled to her, before a thoughtful expression came to her face. Then, she grinned. “Ah, I know take off your hat!”
“Err… Okay?” Bonnie pulled off her hat, a bit confused, but was surprised when Roxanne reached up, and unclipped one of her ribbon barrettes – a joke gift Lucina had given her for her birthday (but also, special, because the ribbons were shaped like contest ribbons and she wore them because it made her think of Bonnie). Some of her bangs came loose but she paid it no mind, asking her girlfriend to lean down. When she did so, Bonnie could feel some light tugs before there was a tiny snap sound as it was secured in her hair.
“There, now you have a little piece of me on stage with you.” Roxanne said proudly, “So now, it will be like I’m there with you – at least, in spirit.”
The elder blinked a few times, before smiling and bringing her girlfriend close, sharing another deep, uninterrupted kiss with the girlfriend this time. When they broke apart, Roxanne’s face was a little flushed. “You better go find your seat.”
“Yeah… alright.” She chuckled, before winking and turning away heading for the door.
Bonnie was just turning back to the mirror, smiling at the little barrette before hiding it under her hat, when she heard her name called.
“Bonnie?”
She tilted her head, looking at Roxanne who had paused, before they blonde gave her a smile. She expected some sort of encouragement about crushing her competition or how great she would do, so she was caught totally off-guard when it was neither. “I love you.”
“Roxy….” Bonnie smiled, feeling her heart flutter, “I love you too.”
The blonde nodded, before she turned around and got lost in the crowd, but the feeling she left behind in her racing heart was still there. She supposed Sammy was right, no matter what happened after this moment she still had won. Except it wasn’t a trophy or a ribbon or fame or fortune. No, what she had won was so much better than all that combined.
She had won love.
Hooves clomped down hard on well-packed dirt, flames dancing at the horse traveled the ten miles back to the other down. Holding onto the reigns was a young man, wincing every once and awhile at the uncomfortable feeling of riding bare-back that he never did quite get used to. He supposed the pain was bearable though.
He looked down at the reigns, turning his right hand that was gripping onto them as well as a piece of metal and loosened his fingers, able to see the first few keys of the piano.
”Here Ten-chan!”
“What’s this for?”
“Umm… it’s an honorary band-member symbol… yeah! The notes are even silver, see? Haha! This way you can remember there’s always a place for you in the band too!”
“But uh… I can’t play Roxel.”
“I know… but you inspire me too. And that’s just as important.”
“I…uh… thanks Roxel…”
Tensai smiled. “I’m almost there Xel…”
A bored, disappointed sigh passed Roxel’s lips as he flipped on the television. Even though he knew what he had done was a nice thing, especially since he was sure Bonnie needed Roxanne’s support way more than his lame attempts at cheering her on, he was still bummed out he couldn’t be there. All of his family was there!
Ten-chan… was there…
“Ugh! I need some ice cream!” He said, jumping out of the couch before stomping into the kitchen, grumbling as he pulled open the well-stocked freezer and stuck his hand in, looking for the tasty morsel and silently cursed his father. You see dad, look at what your addiction had done to me! When I get big, fat Snorlax hips, I know who I’m blaming!
Ding. Ding. Ding.
“Ugh…” And that was the front door. Just his luck, a crisis on Bonnie’s big day. So he got to miss the contest even on TV?!
Ding. Ding. Ding.
“YEAH JUST A SECOND!” He mourned over his ice cream, shutting the freezer with more force than necessary.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
Was this guy deaf or something?
“Yo, I said-“ Roxel said as he headed out the side door and into the lobby, before his words failed him as he saw there was no one there. …What if they had ghosts? Ghosts that were haunting this old building and angry he and Roxy had changed it so much. He shivered at the thought, wondering if they should invest in some spell tags. He turned around slowly, just thinking about getting TWO ice creams now, when-
Ding. Ding. Ding.
His hair frizzled as he spun around, catching a blur running past. No, it wasn’t a ghost. Just some punk kid trying to – well – punk him! Annoyed, he hurried out the door, spotting the quick little blur skirt around the corner. It was too short to be human, so it was a Pokemon? Roxel frowned, but hurried after it all the same. Just as he rounded around, he spotted the tip of a green tail as it ran around towards the back. Was it just running in circles?
“Hey stop!” He yelled (yeah, like that’ll work), as he chased after again, but this time as he rounded the corner, he froze. Just a few paces away, something was obstructing his path. It was an easel, usually used to set up a canvas up on. He knew that, thanks to Ten-chan.
But why was one set up out here?
He approached it carefully, as if he expected the wood to jump out and bite him, when he noticed that something WAS perched on the structure. In fact, it was hard to miss, seeing how a large green arrow, made of construction paper, was taped to the easel and pointing right to it. It was a rolled up piece of paper, tied with a large ribbon. It reminded him of a diploma, and he wondered how in the world he EVER managed to graduate from ANYTHING as he picked it up. He looked around, as if expected someone to steal it from him and say there’s been some horrible mistake, before his curiosity got the better of him and he pulled off the ribbon.
As he unraveled it, his dual-colored eyes widened some. It wasn’t a diploma.
It was a picture.
It was hand-drawn, carefully inked and colored with pencils, the soft unobtrusive shades matching the feeling of the picture well. It was of him and another boy he knew very well; their hands were clasped together and they were leaning towards each other, faces only a few inches apart. Their eyes seemed to convey so much; happiness, adoration, compassion. On the bottom, written in with stencils, was the title: My Inspiration.
And underneath it, in smaller letters: Will you be mine?
He was so busy staring at the picture, he didn’t realize there was anyone else there until he felt the gentle pressure of a paw on his leg. He looked down, seeing a bright green fox sitting there, a little silver piece between his teeth. “Heeey Mox, what do you got there?” He asked, as if it was completely normal his best friend’s partner was just suddenly there. But he had a feeling Tensai wasn’t far as he took the metal piece.
It was a keychain. Much like the stand before him, it was an easel, but this time it had a canvas on it, and a Smeargle, of course, was reaching up towards it, holding his tail out as if to begin painting.
“Like it?”
Roxel spun towards the voice and assaulted his best friend in a hug. “I missed you Ten-chan!”
“Heh, I missed you too Xel.” He said, before pulling away some, appearing a bit shy. “So uh, about the picture… I uh, well, it’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other and I noticed how all the time I just think of you and not just in an ‘I miss my best friend’ way. So uh, I uh was wondering if, well you know if you wanted to get together and all… And we could um-“
“Ten-chan?”
“Yeah?”
“You talk way too much.” And then he kissed him, giving him his answer without need for words.
Yes, an interesting year it was; where rivals became friends and friends became lovers, where trainers trained and contesters contested, where a trainer learned to be a ranger, where two forgotten boys found a second chance at their dreams, where a pair of twins found a new way to help, where a girl became a nurse and a dragon tamer found a friend. A year that once was threatened to be filled with nothing but pain, hurt and suffering, if not for the efforts of that one small group. But all this could almost be called normal, for this was the world of Pokemon.
The End
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