The Tale of Seven: The Summon of Sorrow

[Reno]

"Really?!" All three kids cried as Riku revealed a very important piece of information to them. They wondered if Terra even knew! Of course he probably did, Riku certainly wasn't the only one who kept up with the news. The book-loving brunette certainly did as well.

"At least you haven't even gone up against him once!" Roxanne whined, her own head hanging, thinking about how shamefully she lost. It hadn't lasted more than ten minutes! How could she beat him if he was really going to be on Elite four!
"Maaan..." Sora sighed on the other side but it was wistful, "Fight him twice? I wish I was that lucky!"
"L-Lucky?! Uncle Sora, you're crazy!"
The brunette on the other side of the screen grinned, "Ah, but don't you think it's exciting, battling someone who hardly ever loses? It really tests you as a trainer. I bet he's only gotten better in the years! Man I bet I wouldn't stand a chance anymore!" The brunette chuckled, a smile on his face.
"Dad with how much YOU like fighting if Terra DOES become a new elite four maybe you'd better try to become a gym leader." Tensai said jokingly. While his silver-haired dad was never particularity fond of fighting, his daddy Sora was quite the opposite. He had battled against him countless times over the years, helping him to become a good trainer. He owed a lot of what he knew to him.
"Haha, yeah like that would ever happen!" The brunette rubbed some of his spikes, making them bounce.


Roxas' eyes widened just a tad, hearing her vicious words, and then they saddened greatly. She had been through a lot he could tell... He wished he could just tell her they weren't like that. That she wouldn't have to live like that... but it wasn't so easy. It would take a lot more than just a day to win her trust... if they ever did at all.

He placed his hand on the glass as she walked away and back to her child, her words chilling him. He spoke, knowing she could understand him even through the glass and in her Pokemon form. She was a very intelligent creature he could see. "You are not. I... I know a lot about horrible mothers, and you will never be one of them." Again, he was thinking of Aqua; remembering her heart-breaking tale she shared with them on the ocean during their first mission. It had been... quite an eye-opening story. "The only kind of mother who is horrible is one who never cares."

"Flaaar..." Flareon nuzzled his master's leg, his saddened tone worrying her.
Roxas shut his eyes and sighed, "I can't make you trust me... but I will to make sure you both get better. I swear to that." He moved away from the glass and walked away, heading back to his room.

The squeaking paused as the man went away and the baby fox looked up at his mother, seeing her sad face. He licked her nose and nuzzled up against her chest, trying to cheer her up.


Eskel breathed nervously as they stepped into the cavern, never really having liked dark places like this. He was so used to having everything so light, being from a country where lightning Pokemon roamed... that his first time away from Junita had been hard on his sleeping patterns where the world was silent and the light was gone.

He held the electric torch high the light illuminated the fragile walls. Some of them were cracked from the cave in now and it wouldn't be much to make it fall as well. As they came to another part in the trial that was closed off, they stood back and waited as Drapion got to work, the large poison type doing his best to move the rocks silently, every loud sound of a even a pebble falling down making the rescuers flinch.

And then as a sizable hole was made, suddenly Pokemon flew out, Eskel having to duck as some Zubat and Golbat almost tangled themselves into his hair. As the air cleared he moved to where Kuku was and they shined their light inside, seeing the holes. If the Diglett had been there, they weren't any longer.

But in the silence left, Kuku and he both inclined their heads when they heard a tiny voice down the cave, barely a whisper.
"Murr...." It came again. He shared a glance with his lover, before he carefully climbed up and rocks and into the hole, stepping onto the cave floor and hearing the other following. Neither noticed how the dirt shifted underneath, Terra's lesson become a deadly omen, their pressure and before it could amount to anything they were walking down the cave... and saw a sad sight of a tiny Whismur with it's ear crushed under a rock. The poor thing was in tears.
"Ku..." Eskel whispered before he set down the light and sat down with the poor thing, doing his best to calm her as Drapion was called again to move the rock off her.

[Rikugurl]

"If your dad ever because a gym leader AND a teacher, I would never see him again..." Riku sighed, shaking his head as Sora leaned into him and giggled. It was true though, Riku was never into battling after he was so close to losing his first real friend. He had promised Darkrai that he would be a great trainer... and he was. He made his pokemon strong and happy, allowing them to be with the pokemon they wanted to to create a family of their own. He helped them when they were sick and kept their bodies healthy on the inside and out. Riku was just a lifeguard on the weekends but during the week, he worked at a Pokemon salon. Thanks to Sora and Axel, he learned how to give Pokemon relaxing massages and knew just how to calm them as he brushed them out and kept their fur shiny and soft.

Just as Roxel was about to ask his uncle what Pokemon he would use against Terra, the intercom came on overhead.
"Kids! Time for lunch!"
That had taken a lot longer than expected.
"Alright, nice seeing and talking to you again, Uncle Sora and Riku! We'll make sure to call you when we hit another rest stop!" Roxel waved as the others said their goodbyes and the TV was turned off. They quickly found Sanyi, who was petting Flygon Sr. and Moana under their chin, and let him know it was time to eat. The group all crowded themselves into the kitchen, finding that there was enough room for them all and they call grabbed a plate that had a yummy looking sandwich and chips on them, along with a bottle of lemonade.

"So daddy... is it true?" Bonnie asked as she popped the top of her drink, looking across the table at her grumbling dad. Apparently someone stole his sandwich and Ven swore up and down that it wasn't him. "Have you been offered to join the new Elite Four?"


Glowing aqua eyes opened as she felt the slight wetness of her son's tongue on her nose, making her smile slightly. With what strength she still had, she leaned on her elbow and started to bath the sick little fox. As she reached his leg with the IV shunt, she growled at the smell, unsure what it was. She had seen them hook it up to some bag in the air...
She gripped the shunt with her teeth, about to rip it off so the humans would leave it alone.... but then slowly let it go. Maybe... it was really helping. Her son could walk a bit better now.


"Pion....pion...." The Drapion was indeed very careful with pulling the rocks from the area, making the little ear become exposed. It wasn't a pleasant sight at all since it had been obviously crushed. She would probably lose it. Kuku was quick to come over, slowly leaning down and pulling out the aid kit so Eskel could wrap the ear up.

Back at the Rescue Center, a lounging dog suddenly pulled her head up, her red eyes narrowing before she jumped onto her feet, looking at the door. "ABSOL!"
A girl at the desk jumped as well from the call, looking over at the Disaster pokemon that was quickly running out the door. "Tempest!? Where are you going!" She cried as she ran around the counter and looked out the door, seeing the white and blue dog heading towards Route 11.
Quickly, she ran back in and hit a button, making red lights flash around the center. A disaster was about to happen!

It was a good thing that Headmaster Sera made it mandatory for every Rescue center to have an Absol.

Unfortunately, the rescuers in the cave could not see the flashing red lights of danger... and even if they did, they would of never know they were the ones in danger. As tears were being whipped away, a loud sound came from deeper within the cave, making the whole thing rattle. "Shit!" Kuku cried as he tried to keep his balance, suddenly feeling a horrible vibration under his feet. Digletts... tons of them!
"Eskel, we gotta get out of here!" The blonde warned, grabbing his things and recalling his Drapion. His worried and panicked eyes laid on his lover who was trying to hurry with the wound. "Eskel!"

Rocks suddenly started dropping all around them as the cave started to rattle and shake more, another horrible cry coming from the belly of the cave. If Kuku could guess... it was one of the Whismur's parents.

[Reno]

"Talk to you soon!" Sora said cheerfully, watching the screen go black. He sighed a bit wistfully sort of... jealous of the kids. He really missed journeying; seeing all new sights and meeting all new Pokemon. And he really missed battling. Even sort of missed the missions they had even with all the ricks.
But he knew... it would never be the same with Star or Raichu.

Besides, he knew they had a good life here. He loved teaching; it was a journey all on it's own. Raising a child a battle of a different kind. And teaching Riku had to massage.... heh, well that was a mission!

"Alright, Electric types are really easy. You just need to not hurt them or they'll shock you and well... you know how that feels." Sora joked softly before demonstrating with Raichu who was comfortably laying on the table. He laid his palms on his yellow cheeks and rubbed with his palms.
"Chuuuuuu~" The mouse said satisfied, his tail curling. He blinked though when his master stopped.
"Alright now you try." Sora said with a smile and watched Riku place his bare hands on the mouse's face with care and started to rub. The mouse sighed in contentment again. "See that's perfect!"
"Huh, this is pretty easy." Riku gloated, feeling so smart, giving one of the cheeks a little scratch.
"W-Wait Ri-!"
The hairs on the mouse stood on end. "CHU!"

The kitchen brightened with electricity.

"Bre?" The passing Umbreon looked in curiously, ears twitching and seeing both his master and his master's mate on the kitchen floor, Raichu sitting up and looking quite confused.
"....ooooooow...." Riku groaned twitching.
Sora's eyes had swirls in them. "S-Shoulda told ya... scratching causes over-stimulation..."

"Come on, let's go finish the movie~" Sora said with a smile, getting off the bench.... but when the got back they found a whole different couple cuddling in their spot. "Heeey!"
"Reeet~" Came a teasing squeak, the little pink ferret curled around Umbreon, snuggled happily against the fox.


Meanwhile another brunette was also rather unhappy, pouting as the kids ate their food and he was left with his grumbling stomach. He huffed and stole some chips from Ven's plate.
No one was going to ask why both their hair was damp, even thought logically even Roxel could figure BOTH couldn't have taken a shower in that space of time so quickly...

Instead, Bonnie had a different question. "Hmm... yeah, they sent me a letter not long ago."
"So that means you're gonna be an elite!" Tensai said between a mouthful of his sandwich.
"We'll see." Terra chuckled with a shrug.
"See?" Sanyi rose an eyebrow. "What do you mean see?"
"To be an elite is just like anything else; you need to battle everyone else that is qualified."
"So you just need to win and that's all huh? That should be easy!" Roxanne cheered on.
"Hmm... no it's not that simple. You can lose and still move on." "What?! Why that's not fair!" Tensai pouted at the injustice of it all.
Terra chuckled but shook his head. "Tensai, anyone can train their Pokemon to be strong or fast. But an elite is measured by how he handles his Pokemon, not if he wins or loses."

Roxanne tilted her head. where had she heard that before...? She was sure Bonnie had said something similar before. "Kind of like... a contest?"
"Yes somewhat."
"But Uncle Terra you're great with that sorta stuff too." Tensai said with a nod; "All that crazy stuff with Gunnar... Using the tunnels to your advantage and getting Rampardos in the air like that!"
The man just chuckled, shaking his head. He wondered what Tensai would think if he told him both those tricks he learned from Sora. He remembered clearly that the brunette certainly used His spring-like tail Raichu's tail to his advantage; so Terra figured he could do the same with Rampardos' heavy set one. "Perhaps... but it's going to be a bit more difficult... now that I'm retiring Houndoom. And I haven't yet found his replacement."

Everyone in the room started with slight surprise - even Ven. Terra had only so far retired Flygon; a few years ago actually. The dragon's wing had started to give him more problems in recent years from natural age and rough battles, so much so he could no longer carry his master or even the slighter weighted Ven on his back. Not wanting to risk his good friend, Terra made the decision to take him out of his line-up and to train his son instead. So far 'Sir bites-a-lot' was a splendid Flygon... if a bit over-exuberant.

His blonde husband was the first to inquire, a bit confused at the new news. The brunette glanced at him, then smiled a bit sadly. "I think he's... lonely. He's lost his fighting spirit."
The kids listened in silence, a wind of sadness breezing into the air and twisting around all of them at once. Everyone knew about Delcatty's passing; especially Sanyi... who found his mother crying at the kitchen table. He had been so freaked out he had Draco go and get his other mother from work to help him calm her down.

There was a very special connection between the two former rocket's and the cat who once saved Ven's life... at the sacrifice of her own. It was why she stayed Ven's Pokemon. But even still anytime Aqua visited, Delcatty came to greet her and was at her side almost constantly, laying in her lap and purring all day long.
Even after all this time, Ven nor Aqua never could figure why the Skitty had come to them and why she still continued to love them so much. The loss of her was like a loss of a special, irreplaceable treasure. And it seemed Houndoom felt that same pain, having never found if not more so.

Tensai bit his lip, no longer feeling hungry, looking down at the table. He was no strange to death; none of them were of course. But even afterwards... watching his sensitive father lose two of his closest Pokemon friends had been horrible; not even Riku could cheer him up at first. And poor Jolteon had faired little better; completely in-tuned with emotions of other's and especially his own... Raichu was his best friend. The poor fox had been such a mess afterwards he started to lose entire patches of fur from the stress. Tensai remembered being upset when it happened... but more so helpless as he tried to ease the pain they felt. "I'm... sorry about your friend Uncle Ventus..."

He wished an I'm sorry could really stop pain. People at the orphanage had told him those same words a dozen times after he lost his parents. He knew how little it helped.


"W-Whiiis!" The Whismur cried further as the world all around started to shake. Eskel fingers were shaking with adrenalin and nervousness, trying to wrap up the ear even in the chaos.
'Eskel!'
"One more second!" He called curling around the last bandage and taped it down... just as rocks started to fall around them. He scooped up the little Pokemon quickly. His love was quick to hurry to the hole, himself following but as he reached it he hand to pause. Knowing he would need his hands free to climb out, he snatched a Pokeball at his belt, a heal ball, and tapped it against the Whismur's forehead. There was a flash of green before she was sucked up in the light and he placed it back on his belt.

He scrambled out of the hole and into the next hall of the cave, heart pumping in his ears as he saw his lover several feet ahead of him and the light of the opening. They were gonna make it; they were gonna be alright!

At least that's what he thought... until his foot knocked against a fallen rock he hadn't seen in the darkness and he stumbled and hit the dirt with a soft 'Oof!'. He slowly shook his head and scrambled to his feet knowing he had to keep moving, when something punched him in the back, the blow crippling and sending him reeling back in the dirt, his vision swimming as his air whooshed out of him. The crack didn't register, the pain somewhat dimmed from surprise.

He had no idea that his spine had just been broken.

He tried to get up against, but nothing would cooperate, his whole body feeling heavy, as if an invisible ten ton blanket had fallen over him. Up ahead, the light shimmered and blocked out for a moment as something crossed into the open air outside, his mind faintly catching the silver-white light. "K...Ku..." He had made it out; he was going to be okay...
The rest of the cave around him collapsed.

The only small blessing was, he felt no pain as he was crushed.

[Rikugurl]

Ven only gave a weak smile and since the poor cat had only passed a few days ago, his heart was still heavy over it. It was hard enough losing her the first time but really losing her was harder than he thought. Even last night, he sat in bed, looking out the window and only wishing he had know the cat longer... or at least gave her a chance. He and Aqua had always ignored the stalking kitten through their travels.

"Daddy, I'm sure you can find a wonderful replacement. Look at all the wonderful and amazing pokemon you have in the greenhouse." Bonnie complimented, taking a sip of her lemonade before continuing. "You not just strong... you are... well, you're the best trainer I've ever seen. Uncle Sora is pretty close but you should really try it out since you've been nominated. I'm sure a pokemon would love to fight by your orders!"
"Those aren't all the factors to it." Ventus suddenly but in, making the whole table look at him. His eyes darted back and forth, feeling a little bit in the spotlight but sighed, closed his eyes and chewed on a chip. "Well... if Terra does become a part of the Elite Four, that means we would have to move."
"What...? Really?" Roxel pouted, knowing how beautiful their greenhouse, house, and gym were.
"Yea. We'd have to move probably to Sunyshore."
Tensai suddenly exclaimed, saying that wasn't too bad!

Ven slowly glanced at his nephew, smiling some. "I don't know... Terra would have to travel across some water to get to 'work' everyday and well... it's not always safe. I'd be worrying my fucking head off for that idiot."
Terra then grumbled something about riding Flygon across.
"Still! We live close to your grandparents, Bonnie... and they're not getting any younger. You know how much I have to help out at the ranch anymore... and Ida refuses to give it up."


"AAAAH!!" The frail body of the blonde rescuer fell hard on the ground, his face being tickled by the long grass. Dusts blew out from the cave, making him close his eyes tight until the sounds of rock finally stopped. Slowly, his body shifted and he got onto his elbows, coughing some as the sound of birds around the area started to sing again. "Eskel? You alright?"
Silence.
"Eskel?" Worried eyes slowly looked around, not seeing any sign of the other rescuer.
"ESKEL!?" He quickly glanced back, realizing that he was all alone.
"ESKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEL!!?" It was horrifying when it hit him. That... that his purple haired lover was still in the cave.

He quickly got to his feet, ignoring the fact that his ankle was probably sprained as he limped to the once opened entrance to the Diglett Cave. Energy formed all around, making all sorts of Pokemon appear. The Drapion, Nidoqueen and Alakazam didn't even need orders to know that they needed to get rid of this pile of rocks as their master was already trying to do it himself. They quickly got to work, the two stronger pokemon doing it by strength as the psychic pokemon worked on it with telekinesis. They were able to making a clearing that was large enough for Kuku to get through, quickly running inside to see large boulders all over the cave. This had to of been the worse cave in for years.

"ESKEL!?" He cried, knowing that he would be safe now that the loose rocks had all fallen and all the damage had been done... or so he thought. He didn't know that more damage was soon to come... to his heart.
"KROWKROW!" His feathered friend was the first to pick up the other's being, flying over to a pile of rocks and landing by an arm that was extended out from it.
"UT!" The rescuer was quick to run over, falling onto the ground beside it and... "Oh Arceus.... n-NO!" Rocks were pushed away and when the smaller Drapion got through the hole, he got some more aid, only to reveal....

The bandanna was gripped as Kuku held his mouth, his eyes closing tightly as he looked away. Tears instantly pushed down his cheeks as his weak shoulders shivered and trembled in pain. Outside, a belt that laid on the grass moved as a Pokeball shifted. It popped on its own and a blue dog suddenly shot pass the two pokemon who were waiting outside the cave and entered. Itzel shot over to the blonde and his bird, whimpering as he saw the image of his crushed master. He couldn't get any further because arms suddenly wrapped around the dog's neck and pulled him close, the blonde sobbing into his fur.

[Reno]

"Pff I'll just fucking ride Flygon. Farther away from the water the better." Moving... right. Terra hadn't been too surprised when the terms came with that as well. Leaving behind all that he had built a second time... and worse yet saying goodbye to his gift library room seemed like such a shame. He hated to do that to Bonnie as well. She had found a stable life here. Now that she was going on a journey, how cruel would it be to her to just suddenly up and move without her even here to get used to it? She'll be coming home to a strange town to a strange house to a room she did not know.

Ven was right; he was a big softie with girls. Hell, people even accused him of being nicer to them in battles; which actually was true but he'd never fucking admit it. He was sure his mother had a lot to do about it. Speaking of his mother...

"Of course not. She's damn stubborn; it's why my dad fucking adores her." Terra said, though a hint of concern was in his voice. Even he came over to help nowadays and, mostly, to urge her to rest. While he and his dad never could see eye to eye, especially about his earth-shattering realizations in his young adult life, he loved his mother like nothing else; except Ven of course. He was trying to do all he could to protect her. "Fucking never listens, son of a ugh..." He stuffed his face with chips from Ven's plate.

It was a good thing none of anyone else's parents - particularly Roxas - wasn't around to here how foul Ven and Terra's language was around the 'kiddies'. Roxas at the very least would give them a good smack over the head for it; it's why Roxel and Roxanne always had to be v-e-r-y careful when cussing 'cause if dad was around the corner they were in t-r-o-u-b-l-e!


The little blue wolfen Pokemon knew something was wrong... the instant the seal on his pokeball shattered. Each pokeball was specially designed with an identification seal so that another pokeball couldn't recapture them - as long as if wasn't a Team's rocket ball that overrode the codes. When the master died, the code died with them.

Itzel was fairly old and wise and even as he burst from his pokeball with the ease of a youth he knew what he would find. The sight of his master, bent and broken and bloodied, was a terrible one. He was almost hard to look at and as Kuku snatched him up, the blue dog suddenly started to howl in sorrow, tears falling from his black eyes as well.

Eskel was dead.

[Rikugurl]

It seemed like the brunette and his desired husband were still on the fence about accepting the new position. However, the kids were not. They needed to get going on their journey and to get the topic back on a more positive side, Tensai asked the question that his father had asked. Where would they be headed?
"Well, we could follow the same course that other trainers followed before my daddy became a gym leader." Bonnie pointed out, passing the rest of her meal to her hungry father... which could of been either of them since Terra stole half of Ven's meal.
"We can start by leaving Sandgem and head through Jubilife to Canalave City."

It was obvious that Sanyi complained that he could of just stayed home in bed!

As their lunch was finished, the new adventurers all said goodbye to Terra and Ven, waving the off as their traveling pokemon were called.
"Flooon?" A ghost squeaked as it pulled a very heavy bag over to the tanned girl. Bonnie could only giggle before taking it, finding it much easier to carry than the Drifloon did. "Thanks Akbar. I'm going to miss you. Make sure you keep the house clean from those two mess makers." She smiled, giving the ghost balloon a pat on the head, making it smile.

Akbar was another very special Pokemon to Terra and Ven. On their first anniversary, Ven had wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride across Sinnoh and Terra was more than happy to make it come true thanks to his new library. When they were up in the sky, Ventus had pushed Terra to look at the view and when the ground loving trainer looked out, they saw a festival down below. Unfortunately, someone at the festival must of accidentally let go of their balloon because a bright red one was coming up to see them. Bonus! Ventus loved red!

Story short, the balloon got stuck under the basket and a stray wicker made the balloon pop. "Ahhh...." Ven sighed, pouting as he saw the remains fall back down to earth. The two were about to sit back down when all of a sudden, a Drifloon went passing by.

"HEY!" Ven cried, racing to the other side of the basket... but missed it. "Damn!" The blonde sighed, slowly looking back at Terra who had stayed in his place and was holding... a yellow upside down heart... that was attached to a string... that was attached to the Drifloon.
"Happy Anniversary..."

A Ponyta, Dragonite and Dodrio were waiting for them, and quickly were packed up with everything they needed for their journey. Roxel was quick to jump onto Hotaru, helping Tensai up as Bonnie got on the slightly unsteady bird who was currently having an argument with itself. Roxy was pulled up after her and Sanyi was already in the sky waiting for them. "BYE DAD!" Bonnie called as she waved to her parents that were in the front door, waving them off as well. Reins were hit and away they went, disappearing down the street and off to their new adventure.

Little did they know... how big it was actually going to get.


As night fell upon the group, they found themselves entering Canalave City. Sanyi suggested that they could came in the backyard of his house but Bonnie declined. "No way!" She called as he felt lower, feeling the breeze from the Pokemon's wings. "This is our adventure, we can't find any help with our parents! We're on our own!" That was shocking, coming from a Beauty contest championship. One would think that she would want everything easy!

Instead, they headed to a large hotel and recalled their pokemon for some rest. When they entered, some of them were a bit excited... having never stayed at a hotel before. Bonnie, however, easily walked over to the counter and handed them her bank card. "Two rooms please." She smiled, handing the man her ID when she asked. "Ah! Miss Tellus! It's good for you to stay again. I didn't know there were any local contests."
Bonnie just smiled before replying, "There aren't! I'm on a trainer's journey!"
"Well, good luck! What kind of rooms would you like."
"TWO KING SIZE!" Roxel jumped in excitedly but Bonnie shook her head. "No way! One King... and two Queens."
"ALRIGHT! KING SIZE!" Roxel started to dance in the lobby, Melody quickly hopping around his feet in fun.

"NO! One king size for Roxy and I and you boys fight for the queens." Bonnie put plainly, taking her room pass and wrapping her arm around Roxy's shoulder. "Night~"

[Reno]

For the kids, the travel was a bit rougher then they expected. Only Bonnie had an easy time, having ridden on Dodrio to far distances before. But after awhile, Roxanne felt an ache in her arms from holding on Sanyi so long. Sanyi's arms were chafing from holding onto thick leathers skin and his regins for an extended period of time. And Tensai and Roxel had one hell of a case of saddle's rash.

It was a relief when they reached Canaclave all of them limping after Bonnie into the hotel with few grumbles of protest, honestly too tired too. One had to wonder how Roxas - who never had a traveling Pokemon or a bike - had done the whole thing on foot! It was no wonder he always got lost!

And of course, none of them had the money for the room except for Bonnie who was rich from either her father's or her contests. Probably a bit of both; and because of this they found themselves wandering into a trap of her design.
There was a chuckle from Roxy, waving behind her with a taunting, "Byyye booooys~"
"Wha? HEY!" Tensai cried. "Come on Bonnie that is not fair!"
"....I'm going home." Sanyi sighed, turning around to head out the door.
"Oh no you don't!" Tensai cried, grabbing his wrist and picking up their key cards, dragging him towards the elevator, Roxel following after. "Bonnie's right we're doing this on our own."
"But... but... ugh! Fine." Sanyi snatched one of the cards, and hurried off, calling behind him "But I'm getting the bed to myself."
"Wha? Hey!" Tensai whined, thinking of just how often he'd been kicked by Roxel during sleepovers when he unwisely shared a bed. "But Roxel sucks in bed!"

Sanyi froze. Roxy and Bonnie glanced back. Roxel looked mortified. Even some people at the counter looked round. Then the girls and Sanyi started laughing uproariously, leaving the two boys to stew in a bit of humiliation. Tensai stood there, open-mouthed and then blushed a bright red. He mumbled some things under his breath and hiding his eyes. "S-S-Sorry Roxel..."

[Rikugurl]

Some people coughed, trying not to think of what the young trainer had just said as they went on with their business. Roxel, however, could only blink, his green and blue eye wide as a deep blush ran over his face. When he heard the apology, he sort of snapped out of it, looking back at the lobby and waving his hands embarrassingly. "T-that's not what he meant people! D-don't spread any rumors! I-I'm a great guy!" He laughed uneasily, feeling a sweatdrop fall from the back of his head as he slowly stepped backwards, grabbing Tensai arm tightly and shoving him into the elevator with the rest of the group.

"Jeez... I didn't know you guys were that close~ How come you never told us?" Bonnie grinned as she looked down at the blushing boys. "HEY! We're not like you!" Roxel quickly snapped, glaring at the taller female. "I'M too young to.... to....."
"To make a commitment?"
"NO! PFFFT... You guys think you're in love... WE'RE TOO YOUNG FOR THAT!" He flailed, hitting Sanyi in the head accidentally.
"Yea right... that's not it at all! Us women just mature faster than you idiots." Bonnie explained, glancing up to see that they were almost at their floor.
"Yea... I can tell." Roxel's face became dull before poking Bonnie fully developed chest.
"HEY!"

DING!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" Roxel bust out of the elevator as quick as he could, rushing for their room before he was pulverized. "YOU TWIT!" Bonnie called down the hallway, huffing as the other boys headed down the hall.

The car key was slide through the lock and the door opened, letting the boys into a nice room that was ready for them. Sanyi was quick to claim his own, making Roxel and Tensai glance at each other before quickly looking away, blushing. Great... now it was just going to be awkward!

[Reno]

Roxel's next comment about how he was a 'great guy' only made the girls and Sanyi laugh harder, poor Roxy having to hold her sides as they hurried into the elevator. It was a short ride up - and a mad DASH to their rooms so that Bonnie wouldn't castrate the very unwise Roxel.

Roxanne sighed and shook her head mumbling something about how stupid her brother was as the girls also headed to their room. "One day he MIGHT grow up." Roxanne said as they slipped inside their room, the two depositing their packs on the ground. She sighed rubbing her back. "Man this is gonna take some getting used too." Her dad had said it was probably going to be hard at first. She was sure she'd be aching all over tomorrow morning.


As for the boys...
"Whoo my bed!" Sanyi called, jumping onto his and spreading out on it to claim it as his own, looking like a very happy bird in his nest. Meanwhile the two boys shared a glance, their cheeks reddening now and Tensai was the first to cough. "Come on Sanyi can't we uh... make a trade?!"
"Haha, no way! Not if Roxel sucks in bed!" Sanyi said starting to laugh again.
Tensai frowned before dropping his things and crossing over, grabbing a pillow right off the other bed and smacking Sanyi with it. "Give it up!"
"HEY!" Sanyi sat up and glared at his friend... before grinning and grabbing his own pillow. "Hell no!"
Smack!
"You will!"
Smack!
"I won't!!"
SMACK!
"YOU WILL!"
Smack!
"YOU WISH!"
SMACK.... SMACK!
"HEY NO TWO PILLOWS!" Smack!
"THAT'S NOT A RULE!" Smack, smack, smack, smack....
"CHEATER! ROXEL HELP ME!"

[Rikugurl]

Bonnie could only chuckle, seeing her girlfriend try to work out the kinks in her back. "And it was only a half day~" He teased, tickling Roxy's side before yawning, walking to the other side of the bed. She sat down, letting the fluffy bed dip from her weight as she started to pull off her fashionable boots. "I don't know why I'm so use to the rough trail. Maybe because my dads traveled on all sorts of pokemon while you might be custom to just Hotaru and the truck." Slowly, she looked out the large window where she could see the city lights and the vast waters beyond it. "Or maybe... it was an experience before my real parents died..." Her gaze looked down at the floor, biting her lip some. "I wonder how...Zorua is doing."

In another room down the hall, Roxel was watching the two boys fight, smacking their pillows back and forth. No one wanted to bunk with him!? There was a pout and a sigh, his heavy bags hitting the floor. It kind of made him wonder... all their adopted parents... met each other on their journey. He wondered if he was going to meet the love of his life on his too. Well... of course he will! His eyes brightened some, realizing he was going to travel around the world almost! There was going to be plenty of girls around that might want to sleep with him! Err.... bunk with him.

He sighed again, thinking about his sister. How come SHE found someone already!? And what were they doing in their room? Adult... stuff?
OH ARCEUS!
He snapped out of it when he heard Ten-chan cry for help but huffed, walking over to the bed that Sanyi didn't claim and jumped on it, setting down and facing the window. "Why don't you just both bunk together... so neither of you have to bunk with me..." His voice was sad, his face a bit hurt as his pushed off his shoes.

[Reno]

"Bon-bon..." Roxanne sighed but sighed, walking over and sitting down next to her, kicking off her own shoes without a care. "You know my dads are going to take great care of him." She smiled then, "And who knows. We'll be all over the world maybe... maybe we'll see more."

Tensai was a little shocked while he was getting beat up that Roxel DIDN'T come to his rescue! What a friend! The two paused in their antics though when they heard the melancholy tone in his voice. The two boys shared a glance and nodded.

Roxel never even knew what hit him. Suddenly the bed bounced and a pillow nailed him in the face and two more in his chest, knocking him onto his back on the bed, the two boys looking triumphant. "Stop being a Came-grump!!" Sanyi ordered. "We're on an adventure!"
"Yeah, you're seriously taking it that hard? I was just kidding!" Tensai hit him again for good measure. "Idiot."

[Rikugurl]

Bonnie glanced at the other, giving her a sweet smile. "You really think?" Her usually rougher British accent became sweet again, like when she was in a contest. "Maybe... maybe we can travel to Isshu some day." She smiled more before wrapping her arms around Roxy, hugging her tightly. "Thanks love."


Roxel gasped as the air was smacked out of him, glancing up at his two best friends.... before grinning. "HA! You fell for it!" Roxel laughed, grabbing the pillows on him before whacking them both over the head. He wasn't sure if that was his plan the whole time but... he was kind of glad they were just playing.

Some time passed by and Tensai decided that he would sleep with the 'not so good in bed' guy after all. They had called for room service, getting Bonnie back for planning such a bad trick on them. It was only $15 worth of food, some nice noodles and chicken fingers (which made Melody hide under the blanket). They supposed it wasn't so bad that Bonnie put the boys and girls together. They were sure a lot more chaos would of broken out if they all had one room together.
Roxel was slurping up some noodles with his Chikorita chopsticks, watching the news as it played. He wished they were watching cartoon because his patents ALWAYS watched the news at night! Tensai did have a point. Uncle Riku warned them to keep up with the news because it might effect their travels along the way.

They all sort of paused as the newscaster announced a tragedy in the world of Rescuers.

"A long time Rescuer was pronounced dead this after a rescue went wrong. Eskel Quetzal of Porta Vista Rescue center was on a mission in the Diglett Cave where a cave in occurred. the Rescuer was crushed after the cave completely gave away."


"W-WHOA! Turn that up!" A cry from the kitchen erupted before a tall, weary looking redhead burst out, a Ninetales quick to follow as he looked over the couch. His lover turned up the volume and the two ex-Rescuers watched in doubt as the news continued. "Eskel... died?"

[Reno]

"Of course..." Roxanne smiled, giving the other a kiss on the cheek. "Now that you're cheered up, how about some dinner? I'm starving!"


Meanwhile, the boys were doing the exact same thing, leaning back on their beds as they chowed down on the food they ordered also making sure to take out their smaller Pokemon so they could have a bite to eat as well.
"Luxluxlux." Said a little Luxio, his face buried in his bowl, beside him a red Stunky, a silver Eevee and a orange-tailed Smeargle doing the same while the news was a dull sound in the background.
They had no idea what was being told was captivating their masters' attentions very quickly.
"Oh... jeez..." Sanyi mumbled, frowning. That name was familiar... "Did... your dads know them Roxel?" He glanced over and was surprised to see Roxel and Tensai both had a horrible look on them. "W...what?"
"That's... the guy who gave my dad Lily." Tensai mumbled softly.


"I.... I guess so...." Roxas responded hesitantly, unable to believe it himself. He remembered Eskel well, never able to forget the assistance he and his lover gave him on their big mission. They had stayed in touch over the years with him and his lover, Kuku. Especially after adopting Reno's Manectric; handling him had been a chore - but Eskel, who once raised these Pokemon on a farm in Junita was all too happy to help. Sora apparently had remained pretty close to the fellow electric trainer too; keeping him updated on how Lily was fairing and whatnot.

In his lap, Flareon whined and at his feet Absol raised his head, frowning as well. Roxas frowned for he felt the shot of pain in his heart and wrapped his fingers around his charm. Of course, Riku was watching the news too... so he had little difficulty in guesisng about who was watching it with him.

"I wonder... how Sora and Lily are taking it..."


"PIKAAAAAAAAAAA!!" Came a sorrow filled cry, a little water canteen hitting the ground and wetting the floor before a yellow blur burst from the Pokemon door to the house, rushing across the grass.
"LILY!" Sora cried, wrenching the door open and and hurrying out on the grass, looking around in the dark.
"Chu, chu!!" A second voice called, a younger but bigger Pikachu running up next to Sora. It was her son. On his left ear the black fur of his ear was naturally spiked across the yellow... almost like a miniature crown. Sora had named him Reginald - or Reggie for short - because it meant 'royal advisor'. It seemed appropriate.
"LILY!!" He frowned when he got no answer, running a hand through his hair worriedly, "Shit... Lily!" He looked nearby, seeing Metagross and Froslass suddenly alert from all the commotion. "Did you see where she went?"

Back inside, there was a wave of sadness. Claws tapped on the floor before teeth gently gripped the water canteen and set it up right. "Joool..." His ears drooped some, hearing his master calling for the distraught mouse. Of course she would be... she looked at Eskel as one of her master's. The fox sometimes wondered if humans even knew how close Pokemon often got to their people who rescued them.

[Rikugurl]

"Poor Lily..." Roxel's eyes darkened... well, at least his ear one as he continued to watch the new. There was suddenly a picture of the dead rescuer on a small tv near the anchor woman's shoulder. He quickly realized that he remembered this guys face! It was one of the rescuers that his dads kept in touch with. Axel explained that they were pretty advance and some of the best rescuers he had ever seen...

"Along side the death of Mr. Quetzal, another mystery has quickly arose. Sacha 'Kuku' Azazel, the Porta Vista Rescue Center's partner Rescuer, has gone missing. It was said that both had taken the mission to the Diglett cave but when authorizes arrived, there were no signs of Mr. Azazel."

Roxel frowned, shoving another chop stick full of noodles in his face before trying to talk over it. "Iw wunda wud happpen uu im..."

"It also seems that Eskel's pokemon have also disappeared. Authorities are speculating that this could possibly be a murder that was covered up as an accident but the other Porta Vista Rescue Center's staff don't think that's the case."

The firehead, music loving trainer gulped, almost choking on his meal. "MURDER!?"


"MURDER!?" A redhead cried, finding that absolutely horrible. His green eyes narrowed behind his thin framed glasses as he continued to watch the report. There was something just wrong here. Sure, he.... he wouldn't know what to do if he ever lost Roxas in... in a rescue. He had already seen his lover die once... he didn't think he would be able to see it happen again. But why would Kuku go missing... and why was Eskel's---
"Maybe he was kidnapped..."

"Despite the disappearance of Mr. Azazel, the head of the Rescue operations will be conducting a closed casket funeral in Porta Vista."

There was some footage of Axel's aunt suddenly on the tv, her face looking rather sad.


"UT!" Riku cried as he was forced to move out of the way from the living room door frame as Bre suddenly pushed pass his feet.
"Laaaaassss...." The ice ghost shook her head as Sora asked her if she had seen where the distressed mouse had run off to. It was no such luck that they lived in a clearing of the woods either. Sora too was suddenly pushed aside as a black fox with glowing yellow rings sprang from behind, jumping down from the porch and feeling the cold grass on his feet. "Breon!" He called, looking back at Sora as if to say 'I'll find her' before his nose went into the air, sniffing some... and shot out into the black forest.

The umbreon picked up the pikachu's scent easily and followed it as quick as he could. The scent brought him to a dead, hollowed out log in which he slowly peered around and into, seeing the poor little mouse all curled up, crying her eyes out. "Bre, breon! Umbre..."
"Lily, it's going to be alright! Really..."

[Reno]

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Tensai said softly, nudging his friend in the ribs. But he froze however at the next statement and his eyes widened. A what...? But... but his parents knew these people! Hell... he'd been around them even if he was too young to remember.

His face paled a few shades, trying not to think about that. But why... why would he...?

For Sanyi this was just another day watching the news, even though he glanced at his cousins like they were just a little crazy and over-reacting for nothing. This sorta stuff happened all the time what was the big deal? None of them even knew these people well even if their parents did.


The blonde shook his head as he heard the news report, unwilling to believe such an accusation either. Kuku was a little hard wound sometimes but there was no way he would of killed Eskel. Anybody with even a speck of knowledge knew the light blonde haired male adored the electric rescuer.

He bit his bottom lip gently hearing his lover and humming softly. "Maybe..." It was hard to really say what happened. Being rescuers they do garner a lot of hate from Teams. It had happened before at least. One of the stations in Sinnoh, Eterna... a small team got a call out to an emergency rescue in the forest.

It turned out to be false. No one survived. Galactic surprised them... they ambushed them. Roxas had been sickened to hear about the vicious attack and unnecessary violence. What if something like that happened to them?
He would hate to think someone did that to Kuku and Eskel though.


"W-Whoa!" Sora cried in surprise when a fox sped past his feet. He blinked but smiled faintly when the glowing fox took off into the night. The brunette was quick to hop down and hurry after, Reggie right at his feet. It took little time at all to find Umbreon, his natural glow like a beacon in the storm. Even from here though he heard the soft, sad little noises of his friend and he saddened greatly. He should of known she'd be here. This is where she went when Rai...
"Piika..." Came a soft sound at his feet, Reggie's ears lowering before he hurried over to the log.

"Chuu..." The female sniffled, her face buried in her heart-shaped tail. 'How can you say that? He's gone! He's gone just like Rai is gone!' The poor girl was so upset she hardly realized the presence of her son squeezing in beside her, cuddling against her to keep her warm.
A warm hand pet Umbreon, silently thanking him as Sora crouched down, his glasses gleaming some under the moonlight as he peered within the log. "Lily..." She was so torn up, and he felt his heart ache for her more than anything else - the purple-haired man was the first person she ever trusted. Not that he didn't care himself; Eskel had become a very good friend of his. He'd even managed to convince him into coming for a special 'guest day' at his school once.
"I know it hurts Lil..." Sora murmured, his voice soothing as he reached inside, rubbing his thumb gently along her wet cheek. Her little cries lessened some from the touch. "It always hurts to lose those close to you... but you gotta remember Eskel... he loved you very much. Back at the center he had only one dream for you... and that was to see you happy."