The Tale of Seven

[Reno]

Roxas blinked at Axel's warning his arms clenching like vices as Rapidash suddenly TOOK off.
"Ok-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Was the echoing scream.

Sora chuckled, shaking his head. Poor Roxas. The sudden revving of a bike made Arcanine start a little nervously, shaking her head from the loud noise. He smiled, petting her neck lovingly as Ven and Aqua sped off. "It's alright."

Flygon twittered his wings to counter the sound of the bike, liking the sound of his music more. Terra sighed getting on his back. "Alright lets go!"
"Fly-GON!" Cried the dragon as he took off from the ground, a small dust cloud rising in his wake. He wasn't called the spirit of the desert for no reason! Once he found the air current he took off.

Sora chuckled and looked back at his traveling companion. "Alright hold on!" He looked forward to hide his swooning look as he felt the arms hug him tight. Oh that was nice...
With a small blush on his face, he sighed happily and moved in his heels. "Let's go Arcy!"
The dog barked and jumped into a run taking off after the loud machine.

They had barely started out when Sora heard a voice in his ear, accompanied by a soft whirring. "Alright, can everyone hear me?" It was Aqua.
The brunette confirmed. "Yeah I can... what's that noise in the background?"
"The motorcycle." Aqua said with a smirk, knowing it sounded nothing like what it was. "Ven designed them to concentrate on only live things."
"Whoa how cool!" Sora said with a chuckle, hearing Ven just grumbling to himself.
"Alright everyone else?" Aqua asked.
Riku gave a soft answer, that whispered behind him like seduction and echoed in his ear like a bell. He shivered some at the dual sensation.
"Yeah." Terra grumbled, the whistling of air only a faint noise. It was odd to Sora, hearing all these voices at once as if they were all still sitting around the campfire. But the next one surprised him some.
"...W-We can too." Came Roxas voice, hesitant and Axel's chipper one cut in as well. They had forgotten all about taking them out.
"Interesting... but helpful." Aqua said. "Well we'll see how much distance we can put between them then."
Ven snapped for them all just to shut the fuck up.
"Fuck you too, Venita." Terra hissed. Ven of course had to return that remark with another yell that made some of the listener's wince.
Sora groaned in exasperation. "Guys..."
"Enough!" Aqua snapped just as Terra was trying to shout back. "Jesus, have some fucking modesty and handle your petty battles in private! Now I don't want to hear another word from EITHER of you unless it's something fucking important or I fucking swear I'll have Glaceon freeze both your pale asses!" There was silence for a very long stretch of time.
Then a chuckle. "Nice." Roxas commended.

[Rikugurl]

Ven growled as Aqua started to communicate to everyone. Why did she get to be the leader in all this!? HE was the one that invented all this stuff AND built this hover bike...

He could already see where this was going and hitting a more populated trail, he needed some concentration.
"WILL EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP!?"
He could only growl when he heard THAT name though.
"HEY! The fuck!? I said I was fucking sorry so if you say that fucking name again in that tone, I swear to fucking god I'm going to rip your balls off personally!"

Then he got yelled at by mother hen and growled more, shutting off his device as he concentrated on the road.


"Faster!" The redhead called called as they got onto their route. The horse neighed and suddenly her flames burst outward, giving her a boost of speed as she went even faster than before. The flames were not harming to the humans or pokemon... but that was her choice.

They race across the fields, watching for trainers who were in their journey, which were hardly any due to the competition.
They turned off of Route 111 and headed for Route 112. "Come on!" He called as he got down closer to the horse's body, Roxas doing the same as Rapidash went into full speed.

She thought it would be more fun if she could race something...

The day slowly passed, the sun moving in the sky and beating down on the travelers.

The horse slowed down a bit when they got to the Jagged Pass. Rapidash stopped as she looked up at the mountain. This was where Roxas had saved Absol...
"Alright, we're almost there."
Axel patted her neck before looking back at Roxas. "Hold on, we have some jumping to do."

Axel looked back at his unicorn and nodded. "Let's go."
He had trained Ponyta to learn how to skillfully climb the pass, knowing that one day he might have to get to his hometown quickly.
However, after he was old enough to ride Moltres, he flew her to Mt. Chimney instead to avoid the climb all together.

"RAAAAAA!" She called as he dash to the pass and started to scale it quickly, not worrying when half her hoof almost fell off some of the narrow edges. Even trusting her, Axel had butterflies in his stomach. One false move and they would all plummet. They couldn't scale it by foot though, these pups needed to get there and it would take too long.

The horse jumped gaps, giving the two a heart attack and he could hear Roxas behind him. Ash fell down as it plastered the pass from old eruptions. "Don't worry! We're almost there!"
A few more jumps and some slippy scaling and arrow ledges, the horse jumped once more and they hit solid ground.
"GO!! GO!!" The horse jumped into action and no more than ten minutes later, the fire horse slowed down in the middle of a little town known as Lavaridge.

She trotted pass the Pokemon Center and some houses down to the Pokemon Rescue Center where Axel got off and looked up at Roxas....who looked pretty pale. He slooooowly helped the blonde down and let him kiss the ashy earth as he pulled off the pouch and rushed inside.

"Whoa..." He stopped in his tracks as he looked around. It looked so...different. So much bigger and nicer and.... modern. It was no longer just a house to aid Pokemon but a real....center!

People stopped what they were doing before looking up at who had come in, their eyes widening as they automatically knew.
"AXEL!"

[Reno]

Roxas watched the road speed by, his hands still holding on tight though they were beginning to cramp painfully. He had relaxed a lot over the course of the run, getting used to the feel of Rapidash's powerful body moving under him so smooth and sure-footed that he was no longer so scared.

They had lost Aqua and the others a few miles back. He was worried for them, because his brother had sounded worried...
There was a soft fizzle, a murmuring of a voice that sounded faintly like Sora, a noise of comfort from Gethin. "Ven! Terra!" Came Sora's voice suddenly loud and full of concern. "Slow down w- fzzzzzzzzzzzha!"
"Sora?" Roxas called back, feeling a string of panic in his gut that wasn't his own. "Sora what's wrong?!"
The line continued to fizzle... and then went silent. Either they had hit a dead zone... or were too far from one another.

The panic had settled after a few minutes, reassuring him that all was alright, but he was still curious to figure out what had happened.

He looked up as they made a sharp turn, grunting a bit. The area around him began familiar, his stomach twisting with the pain of the memory. However his mind didn't have time to dwell on that either when Rapidash suddenly stopped. Roxas breathed hard, wondering if they'd have to take the rest of the way by foot. That was okay they could do that...

But those green eyes looked back, meeting his stunning him with their sharp brilliant color. "Hold on, we have some jumping to do."
Roxas' eyes widened. "W-Wha-" He started to say but it was too late. Rapidash was off. "Holy FUCK!" Roxas cried as they went sailing through the mountains that were dangerous even on foot. He held onto Axel, crushing his ribs as he went completely pale, burying his head into the other's back and shutting his eyes in terror. He held himself as still as he could, trying not to shift his weight an unbalance the unicorn, not wanting to be the one to cause his and Axel's untimely death. He made a soft noise of fright each time a jump felt wrong or they slipped a little too much, his muscles tense.

Then suddenly, without any notice because his eyes were shut tight, the insane ride evened out... and shortly after the sounds of a town surrounded him and the moving horse came to a stop. His arms of steel let go of of Axel as he dismounted, his eyes wide, hardly noticing as Axel helped him down.

In seconds he was on his hands and knees and hugging the dirt in gratitude. "Thank you thank you thank you." He said kissing some of the ash. He shot up grimacing and spit a few times. "Ugh! That tastes terrible!" He started rubbing his mouth when he heard a few yells... of Axel's name. He blinked slowly getting to his feet, glancing at the red-head. "You're pretty popular..." No one in HIS town knew his name except his parents...


Sora groaned some, petting Arcanine on the top of her head, where she was getting a drink from the stream, as was Flygon. He winced though when Aqua came close again, dabbing a cloth ball of peroxide on his forehead where a particularly nasty cut was, cleaning away the dirt. It had finally stopped bleeding at least...
"Sorry Sora." Aqua mumbled, sounding guilty as she got some bandages from the first aid kit Sora had had in his bag. Out of everyone who had gotten hurt... why was it the kid who was actually nice to her?
He smiled then. "It's no big deal. Everyone's alive." He laughed.
"But it was our bike..." She started.

Sora just shook his head and smiled. "Maybe." He looked down at Arcanine as Aqua started cleaning a cut on his elbow, seeing that she seemed just fine... and then snuck a glance towards Riku who was sitting farther down the stream, alone and taking care of his own cuts not wanting to accept any help. He frowned unhappily and sighed. Why was it whenever they were together, something bad had to happen?

Sora sighed, holding onto the collar loosely, letting Arcanine decide her pace. They were in the back of the line but that was fine. When she felt like speeding up she did and when she wanted to conserve energy she did. He didn't need to push her at all or even guide her. They had been partners so long, everything was just second nature.

The only problem with being in back was he was forced to endure the damage the bike did. It's loud noise frightened everything for MILES. for the most part they were okay, most of the Pokemon running away from the sound - but once Arcanine had to jump OVER a Stantler and dodge around a panicked group of Whismur that had toppled over one another when trying to escape. He felt more lucky than Terra though who would curse every once and awhile as flying birds and bugs of all type took to the sky, some of them running into the dragon overhead or into Terra.

Yeah everything was just fine... until it happened.

Ven revved the motorcycle, using an uprisen part of the ground to jump over a small bug Pokemon. Up above Flygon gave a cry of warning, making Arcanine suddenly nervous - and quickly Sora found out why as suddenly a SWARM of beedrill was in the path. Arcanine gave a cry, slowing up some at the furious creatures.

It had been a Weedill that Ven had jumped over... and had awaken the Beedrill nesting in the nearby trees. "Arc, clear the way and run through!"
"Ar!" Cried the tiger dog, given a powerful burst of flames, causing the bees to part in the path. Sora kicked in his heels and the fire Pokemon rushed through the opening quickly, Riku and Sora laying low on top of her to avoid the possibility of getting stung. "Shit..." Sora hissed, not wanting Arcanine, himself or Riku to possibly get poisoned. Behind him he heard Riku murmured some words of condolence, reassuring him they were going to be fine.

"Ven! Terra!" Sora called through the communicator. "We're getting held ba-" He called, but caught sight of something shooting in front of him that made his heart stop. It was white and string-like. Before any warning could be given, any order at all, Arcanine's front legs collided with the string shot.

Her legs tangled and her body jerked into a forced halt, landing face first into the ground. However the two on top of her, thanks to the laws of inertia, did not stop. They were flung off her back, hands yanking at her collar and losing their grip.

She heard a high-pitched yelp of pain as two bodies hit the ground several feet away knowing it was her master who had made the noise. Her brown eyes darkened and started to glow gold in fury, turning her head towards where the string shot had come from. She saw an Ariados in the trees, hissing at the Beedrill. It had obviously been hunting them... and they had all just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. "ARRR!" Cried the infuriated dog, blasted another stream of fire towards the trees this time, hitting the spider... and the trees.

"Yo fuckers get the hell away from them!" She heard Terra cry as Flygon swooped down from overhead scrambling the swarm of bees, hitting several of them away with his tail. Moments later Aqua and Ven were back, motorcycle screeching to a halt. Aqua throwing her water Pokemon towards the trees to put out the fire and Ven ordering Haunter to get rid of the rest of the swarm.

The tiger dog whined, burning away the string shot until she was free and rushed over to where Riku and Sora were both attempting to pick themseleves up off the ground. She stopped at her master first, whimpering as he sat up, wincing and holding onto his left hip, making her panic. She knew that leg...
There was blood streaming down his forehead and from other little cuts here and there. "Arrr..." She licked his cheek apologetically, afraid he'd be mad at her for causing him this pain... again.
"Don't worry, it's alright." Sora murmured, reaching up and petting her, smiling though it was forced. "Go check Ri."
The dog hesitated but left his side to go check the silver-haired man, not leaving his side until he reassured her that he was alright as well.

Sora sighed, running a hand down his left leg from his hip to his knee, feeling pain throbbing from it. It just had to be his luck that when he fell off his dog, he had slammed into the ground on that leg.

"Are you sure it's okay?" Aqua asked, noticing the action making Sora blush in shame. No one had missed it when he had tried to stand up and his leg decided to collapse under him, sending him spiraling back into the dirt. After a second try, with Arc acting as a cane, he was able to get to his feet and walk... but not without a limp in his step. Everyone had been worried he'd sprained something, but he was quick to dispel that thought.

"Yeah, yeah," Sora said, taking a deep breath, ignoring the look Terra and Ven were shooting him from nearby. "It's just an old injury, no big deal." He knew Ven was dying to figure out what the hell he meant by that... but he had told no one of that day... and he wasn't planning on doing it anytime soon.

[Rikugurl]

Axel blinked as he looked down and grinned.
"Well, you won't be the only one~"
Some of the works came over and smiled at the tall redhead. "Axel! You're back! How's your journey?"
"Did you catch any new fire type?"
"I saw what happened on the news! Is your Moltres ok!?"
"I was totally rooting for you! You almost had that Terra guy running!"

"Hey, hey! I have no time to talk!" He snapped the politest way he could. "Where's my aunt?"
"Oh, she's in the back tending to a Numel with a broken leg."
Axel nodded before looking down at Roxas and grinned again.
"Oh, well, I need to speak with her but before I do, I want to introduce you to my new friend and journey partner, Roxas."

The group of rescuers looked at the blonde and smiled before Axel continued slyly.
"He's the one that saved the Absol on the Jagged Pass."
"What!?"
"No way!"
Everyone started to gather around the blonde as Axel slipped away into the back room.
"You were the one to save it from Team Magma?"
"You're so brave! I don't think I could ever confront a team member!"
"Man! I've always wanted to meet the person who saved that Absol!"
"Me too! Hey! Do you still have him!? I know Nurse Joy at the center would love to see him again!"
"Yea! Do you have him!?"

The redhead could only laugh as he saw Roxas blush before walking through the door.
"Oh Hana, I---"
The redheaded woman started as she wrapped a bandage around a small camel's leg before looking up, her own green eyes meeting his.
"A-AXEL!" She cried happily as she pet the Numel and slowly walked to him, about to give him a hug when she noticed the bag he was carrying was moving.

"Wha---"
"Auntie, I just drop by to drop these off here."
"What are they?"
"You know my Vulpix?"
"Yes?"
"Well...she evolved into a Ninetails a few years ago."
"OH! THAT'S WONDERFUL!"
"Yea well, she met the Absol that was saved and they kinda..."

He opened the bag for her to see the little pups shoved together.
"Oh my god...." She said, her eyes glowing brightly.
"But... Moltres was stolen and I need to rescue her, auntie... but they were just born and---"
"I understand. Come with me."
She walked out the door, seeing the crowd around the blonde still before frowning.
"RESCUERS!"
Everyone stopped and turned, standing straight as they looked at her.

"We have new born Pokemon that need a lot of attention now so please set up Room 3 right now."
"Yes ma'me!" All of them nodded and quickly went into a room that was labeled '3' overhead.
It seemed like she was no longer a worker here... but the owner.
"Oh, Aunt Sera... I want you to meet someone." Axel said as he smiled happily and walked her to Roxas.
"This is Roxas. He's the one who saved Absol on the Jagged Pass. He's also my journey partner."

The woman gave Roxas a kind smile before reaching out her hand and shook the blonde's. "It's very nice to meet you, Roxas. Your courage is never forgotten here at the Rescue Center. We try to remember it when we go out to aid calls for help."

"Ms. Sera! The room is ready!" The workers came out of the room and saluted.
"Good, good, thank you and please return to what you were doing. Hana, please check on the Numel for me and finish what I have started."
Everyone nodded and quickly went back to aiding those pokemon who were hurting in some way as Sera walked the two to the room.

Inside looked like... a cute Pokemon nursery. In the middle was a nice large, comfy Pokemon bed with little plushes of pokemon all around it. Food and water were close by the bed as was a Skitty TV in case anyone got bored.

Axel could only smile and nod, grabbing Ninetail's pokeball and pointing it to the bed. The fox appeared on it and blinked, looking around. "Tails!"
"Oh Axel... she's beautiful." The woman smiled as she admired the new mother.
Axel slowly walked to her and knelt down before gently pulling the pups out from the way he put them in and placed them gently on the bed with her.

Ninetails leaned down, her nose burring into the fur of each one, then pressing her nose on each one of theirs, making sure they were all there and well. With a smile, she laid down and wrapped her tails around them, bringing her babies close.
"Sol..." A little yip came from her tail as she was nuzzled.


"Breon..." The black fox sighed as he walked up from the stream over to his master, sitting in front of him. He licked the pale fingers gently as the hooded man wrapped his last bandage around his arm. He had gotten a large scrap all the way down his inner arm, flesh being peel right off.

What a nightmare.
He sighed as he secured it and slowly pulled his gloves back on before petting the fox gently.


Ven sighed as he crossed his arms, watching his brother. His blue eyes became dark as he noticed Sora reaching for his leg again.
What had happened...
He slowly looked away, shaking his head as he heard Aqua's kinder voice.
She never spoke to him that way.

He glanced back, seeing Sora looking over toward Gethin and sighed more, pushing off the tree he was leaning on and not even realizing he was leaning on one next to Terra.

He slowly walked off, splitting from the group as he walked down to the stream and knelt down, Haunter following him close behind.
He reached down and swirled his finger in the pool, his blue eyes lost in the ripples he was making... not even noticing Haunter making silly face at himself in his reflection.

[Reno]

Roxas looked at Axel peculiarly, confused by his response. "Wha-?" He started to ask when suddenly they were surrounded by people. He looked around in surprise, half hiding behind the red-head nervously as the questions where shouted out at the red-head.

Axel was quick to interrupt them... and then he did something truly evil. He blinked at the gleam in Axel's eyes, "Oh n-" He started to say but it was too late, the words were out. How he was the one to save Absol.

"AXEL!!" He cried, watching the red-head LAUGH and just... leave him. He looked around in every direction, backing up until he was against Rapidash as the strangers swarmed him with questions, his cheeks fire red. He was trapped!! "I well y- sure I d- err I gu-" He tried to answer each question only to get interrupted by another and another!

"Listen it's not a big deal..." He finally got in, getting cries of complaint from EVERYONE, even Rapidash. Of COURSE it was a big deal. Saving a Pokemon was ALWAYS a big deal. He flailed his hands, his eyes wide. At about that second a strong voice of a commanding woman cut in, showing her superiority over the other's as quickly everyone broke away. Roxas sighed in relief, as the people split, turning his head to see Axel with another woman beside him. If he didn't know any better, he would of said that was Axel's mother. She had definitely once been beautiful but hardship and age had worn her down some. Not to say she still wasn't pretty, but her hair had lost it's sheen and bounce and her skin had some wrinkles that probably weren't going to go away.

Oddly... It made him ache for his own home... and his mother.

Axel walked back over to him, Roxas giving him an unhappy glare for sending him to the lions, but it quickly disappeared as he was introduced to the lady. He met her eyes, unnerved at how much inner strength he could see in them. She had probably saved thousands of Pokemon...

"I uh..." Roxas hesitated uncertainly as he was introduced again, her words making him flush. He shook her hand, her grip more forceful than he expected. "T-Thank you?" He stuttered as she complimented him, unsure of what else to say. It made him a little unsure... but flattered to know his story was still circulating. Luckily he didn't have time to make conversation before someone was back out and saying they had a ...room ready?

Roxas blinked but followed after the two flame-haired people, following them to a room that was obviously a baby Pokemon nursery from the bright, colorful walls. God if Sora was here, he'd probably jump so high from joy he'd break through the ceiling.

He smiled at that thought, watching Ninetails appear... and one by one all three of the little ones still safe and sound. After all that running and insanity... he was surprised that they were just fine. Maybe babies were stronger than they looked. He watched Ninetails fondly go through her motherly actions sighing some. "It's like she was meant for it..."

He blinked as he felt a ball shaking as his belt as a Pokemon tried to break free. He chuckled, grabbing it and opening it. The white dog appeared in a flash of light. He blinked slowly, looking around the new area curiously but only for a moment. the second his eyes laid eyes on his mate he was at her side, nuzzling her happily. Had he of never stepped in the way of that whip and struggled to earn the acceptance of the abused Pokemon... this never could of happened. Absol might never of been a dad, maybe he wouldn't even be alive... but now here he was, his second chance. It was hard to wrap his mind around the fact... that he had helped this come to be. From an act he always thought were just simple in nature... he had a huge impact. He wanted... he wanted to do that again. Make a difference to a Pokemon's life.

Roxas watched them silently for a few moments, before he spoke, his tone sincere, "Axel... when all this is over... could you teach me how to be a rescuer?"


"Alright, all done." Aqua chirped as she placed on last band-aid on his elbow. "Nothing else hurts right?"
"Nah I'm good thanks." Sora said with a smile.
"Alright good." Aqua said, giving him back his first aid kit before getting to her feet, stretching and sighing some.
Sora watched her walk off before looking at Arcanine who had stopped drinking and was looking at him imploringly. "What...?"
The dog whined, nudging his arm.
"Oh Arcanine..." Sora sighed but smiled, petting her on the top of her head, before leaning close and kissing her nose. "It wasn't your fault. It was just an accident. Besides it's not like I haven't ever hurt this leg before!" He laughed at the odd humor only he understood, before placing his hands on the ground and got up slowly, making sure not to jar the leg too much. He hissed softly between his teeth even still. He was going to have to be careful with it for the rest of the day. "Can you help me over to Ri?"
"Ar!"


Terra sighed watching Ven walk down to the stream, seeing how upset he was. Was he really actually pissed Sora was keeping something from him - especially considering the secret HE kept from him? He rolled his eyes and shook his head, seeing Aqua going over to join her old partner.

Ugh now what the hell were they going to do? With Sora hurt...

"Fly!" Came a cry from above him as Flygon soared overhead and into the trees. Moments later he came back, holding two yellow and pink striped fruit. He landed beside Terra, eating one in a big bite and giving the other to him.
"Thanks..." Terra chuckled, chewing at the fruit. "Damn things are getting really fucked up."


"Yo," Aqua called from behind Ven, chuckling a little when she saw Haunter's reflection. How did he IGNORE that?
"What's bugging you?" She asked him trying not to sound as nice as she was actually being.


The distance between them was small but it felt far to Sora wincing every few steps. Riku noticed him quickly of course as he came close, smiling nervously, leaning against his tiger dog and holding her collar tightly. "Hey Ri... I'm sorry about what happened..." This time it really was just an accident... unpredictable and unpreventable.
So why did he still feel so bad? Like he had done something terrible? "Are you okay?" He asked as he carefully sat down on the grass, doing his best to hide a wince. He was NOT looking weak in front of his... crush.

[Rikugurl]

The fox smiled as she saw the white wolf come over, accepting his nuzzle as she licked his neck back.
This was much better for her and her babies to be in a safe and warm place.

The three watched the new family in silence, smiles on their face. Well...two. They didn't know that the blonde was deep in thought until Axel blinked as he heard his name.

His green eyes looked through his glasses down at the blue. Then, his face lit up as he heard the sincerity of his words. He could only smile and shake his head. "You're already a rescuer, Roxas..." He put softly, his aunt looking over at the two and smiled.

"Buuuuut, I can give you some pointers." He chuckled and wrapped his arms around the blonde, bring him into a warm hug.
"Thank you, Roxas..." He whispered before pulling away, his blush apparent as he tried to hide it from his Aunt.
"W-well... thank you for watching them for us. We really need to get going though. We have a long journey ahead of us."

The woman nodded and smiled before reaching for her own belt. "Well, before you go, make sure you pick up some items for your way up front and here."
She handed him one of her Pokeballs and he blinked, looking down at it. It was...very familiar. There was a little Blaziken sticker above the button.
"Are you...sure?"

"If you're going to go up against a Team... you're going to need all the help you can get. And here Roxas."
She pulled off another one of her Pokeballs and handed it to the blonde. "I watched you on the television so I think this one will be right for you."
There was a picture of a Chatot above the sticker.
"Now these are all rescued pokemon and were given the seal of trust... so whoever I give these pokeballs to, they will be loyal to you as long as you use them for good things."

She then handed Roxas a little note, four things written down on them. They were the bird's attacks.
"Now, off you go. Moltres and the others need you!"


The ripple continued to twirl in the water but the ghost stopped making faces as he looked over to see the woman walking over. "Hau hau..." He pouted before looking down at Ventus that was still silent.
But that only lasted another minute or so...
"I...just have a lot on my mind...."

"Umbreon!" The fox called as the large dog walked over, yipping in welcome as his master looked up at them. He watched Sora slowly sit down and shook his head. "I'm fine... it's you that I'm worried about. Your leg looks like it's really hurting..."
He trailed off, wanting to ask what he had done to it before since it was obvious that it was badly hurt before...

But he knew that his pass was just and quiet as others sometimes. If Sora wanted to tell, he would of already.
"Will you be ok?"

[Reno]

Roxas looked at Axel smiling some at the other's words but his eyes widened in surprise as the other suddenly tugged him into a hug. They'd never... hugged before. In fact he really only recalled.... being hugged by his family members ever.

His cheeks darkened and he smiled, leaning against the other as he slowly returned the hug. It was nice. "You're welcome..." He murmured back, his own cheeks warm. As they pulled away he ran a hand through his hair, looking towards the tiles.

He looked up thought when he heard Sera's words and then Axel's surprise, glancing over at the red-head curiously. He saw the sticker on top... a Blaziken? He knew that Pokemon was tough, fast and strong... it would be a lot of help on their journey.

He blinked in shock though, when she gave him one as well. He looked down at the sticker, smiling fondly at what it was. A Chatot. He'd... always wanted one. He took the list of attacks next, skimming them quickly. "T-Thank you, Miss Sera." He stuttered softly, surprised by her trust in him. As a rescuer... shouldn't she of been more skeptical? Sure he saved Absol but...

Absol...
His eyes saddened some, realizing he would not have the white wolf as his companion for this dangerous journey. He knew the other would want to stay here though. He looked towards his Pokemon and smiled. "Absol?" The dog looked back curiously as Roxas walked over to him, petting him on the head. "Take care of them, okay? We'll be back soon. Promise. Try and be good okay?"
Absol nodded, rubbing his head against the other's leg. "Sool~"

Roxas smiled some, seeing Axel saying his farewells to Ninetails as well... and the pups. After all was said and down, the two trainers walked out of the nursery, Axel taking some things they would need that they were unable to afford. Meanwhile Roxas gave some hurried instructions to the red-haired woman regarding Absol, knowing now with pups in the room and without him or even Axel near, he would get incredibly protective and possibly even violent. Obviously with his Absol's fame he was worried someone would stare at him and make him nervous or try to approach him and touch him and he didn't want anyone to get their fingers torn off.

Sera of course reassured him they were professionals and everything would be fine, ushering him back outside with Axel to Rapidash. They said their thank yous and goodbyes, Axel giving Sera one final hug, before getting on Rapidash and helping Roxas up and Skarmory was let out to soar above them as look out before they sped off. They had a lot of ground to cover before nightfall.


Aqua blinked at the curious response but walked over to Ven's side, sitting down next to him. She looked down At their reflection, seeing it ripple as the blond swirled the water. It felt odd, looking at her reflection for once without the blooming red R on her chest or her belt or even on her hair barrettes... She was no longer owned. She was her own person again. She was no longer Aqua - Member R503 with five years of loyal service.... she was just.... Aqua Umi. She had no idea what to do with that, and that was... scary.

"Yeah?" She asked back, glancing at the other in the corner of her eye. "Like what?"


"Arr~" Arcanine smiled to the young fox, laying down next to her master. Umbreon reminded her a lot of Jolteon. Sora was also happy to see the fox - he was really quite friendly when he wasn't protecting Riku.

He looked towards the other in surprise though, and... blushed at his concern. He was actually worried about him?!

He lowered his head to hide his eyes behind his bangs at the heartfelt question, cheeks red and a soft smile touching his lips. "Yeah I'm gonna be just fine. By the time we get there I'm sure I'll be good as new!" He reassured softly. He looked up, smiling before he reaching out, scratching Umbreon under his chin, then behind his ear.

[Rikugurl]

"Nine~~" The fox smiled as she was hugged, licking Axel's face softly as he had goodbye to her. She wished that she could be of help in this dangerous journey... she was worried about him and Moltres... but her pups... they came first.
They would be back though!

Axel hugged his aunt and grabbed some things they would need like some potions and healers.
His aunt also handed him a large bag of Pokefood seeing that he was out. She kind of scolded him for that but he explained that he had give out so many at the competition that he wasn't keeping track!

When they went out to Rapidash, he pet the horse and gave her some treats, making her neigh happily and then lick Axel's face all over.
"Hahaha! Ok! OK! Enough~~~" He laughed as he pet her down the middle of her face and jumped on, helping Roxas do the same. He watched the metal bird fly up high and sighed before looking at his aunt.
"We'll be back to pick them up when we're done! Promise!"

"You two be careful and good luck!"
The woman said as her and her rescuers waved the two goodbye as Rapidash rode off.
Axel looked back at Roxas with some compassion in his eyes. "You know how it was rough going up the Jagged Pass? Well... it's even more rough going down it."
"RAAAA!" The horse cried as she suddenly stopped.
"WHOA!" Axel pulled back so he didn't topple over the horse, feeling Roxas lean hard into him.

"Rapidash?"
She shook her head and grunted as she looked down the path.
"Hahahaahahaha.... alright... we'll take the lift down."
He pulled her reigns and they turned, heading up a path to Mt. Chimney.


Ven was silent, his ghost floating over him in worry. Those blue eyes gazed back at him as he frowned and closed his eyes. "Like..." He sighed as he looked away. "I don't know... just... a lot of stuff." He knew if he said anything that sounded even slightly stupid, he would get some wise ass reply or... something.

He needed someone like Sora... to tell to. Even then... he still felt... scared.

The Umbreon smiled as his chin was rubbed and he was given tons of attention. This was new to him and... his tail started to wag.
"Hmmm... I've never seen him so happy before." The teen said under the shadows of his hood as he watched his fox lean into all the petting.

[Reno]

Roxas sighed hard as they sped off still not used to the horse's speed. She was worse than rising Arcanine when she was doing Extreme Speed. It was a good thing Skarmory wasn't large enough to ride...

His attention was stolen again when Axel looked back, murmuring something that he definitely did NOT want to hear. "Don't tell me that!" He cried, voice cracking nervously. Maybe he could figure out how to convince Axel not to- "Whoa!!" He cried in surprise as Rapidash just halted, making his body push into Axel's as the red-head struggled not to fall over.

".... Lift?" Roxas asked as they changed directions, going at a slower pace at first. "There was a LIFT?!" He smacked Axel over the head. "Why did you give me a heart attack then?!"

Skamory cried from above as he noticed their change, flapping his wings and quickly following after.


Aqua raised an eyebrow noticing the hesitation as he seemed to decide something, than she rolled her eyes, realizing he had been contemplating whether to tell her anything or not. "O~kay." She stretched and stood. "Than go ahead and wallow in your thoughts."

She hesitated some then looked back down at him. "Listen Ven... I know what it's like wishing you could talk to someone but being unable to. So if you want to speak with him," She jabbed her thumb towards Sora, "You better ask for his company, not wait for him to come to you or you might lose the chance." She said softly, before walking away from him.

Sora chuckled softly at the words as he continued to lavish attention on the black fox lovingly. He couldn't help it, he adored Pokemon. "Oh come on sure you have. You're his trainer so you've probably seen everything about him."

[Rikugurl]

"OW!" The redhead pouted as he rubbed the back of his head. "Hey... I totally forgot about the lift... I usually ride down the Pass with Rapidash in a more than.......safe manor?"
He remembered when he did that with her, both skating down on her hooves through the ash, not realizing that they could DIE.
Guess Rapidash got smarter or she didn't think she could do it with the extra weight.

Not saying Roxas was fat or anything.

They arrived at the lift and unfortunately, it was only a one way ordeal like always. Thankfully, that one way was down.
Axel got off Rapidash and recalled her as they walked into the car. It was a nice ride down, especially being the only two in it.
Short and sweet.
When they reached the end, Axel said goodbye to a boy he knew from when he was younger before calling the speed horse again. They mounted and were off as quick as possible, watching the metal bird above.


Ven sighed as he heard Aqua. He was waiting for that answer. He looked up slightly as he heard the advice, then glanced over at Sora. Before I lose my chance? He's my fucking brother... how can I lose...
His eyes darkened as he remembered that they might.... not make it pass the Pillar.

He knew how ruthless the Rocket Elite was...

He shook his head and sighed, looking back at his reflection in the water. He'd rather talk to him tonight...

The hooded teen chuckled and shook his head. "Well fine then... happy with.... other people." He said softly...but it was as if what he just said didn't make any sense.


When the rest of the pokemon drank and their rest was over, Ven and Aqua were back on the bike, Terra flying above and Sora and the new addition up on Arcy.
They journeyed at a steady pace, covering a lot of ground which all were pleased about.
All but Ven.

By the time they decided to put up camp, they were only a few miles from Mauville City.
Gethin got the fire ready as Terra cooked up some food. Some pokemon were let out to stretch their legs including Metagross and others.
They camped off trail so Umbreon stood out on the trail, his rings glowing to hopefully help the two travelers that they were missing find their way.

Ventus sat on the sleeping bag that he and Sora would be sharing again as Arcanine laid close by. Haunter, again, was trying to get some acknowledgment from the thunder fox but he seemed to be having a conversation with the iron leg pokemon...

[Reno]

"Alright we're leaving in five minutes!" Aqua announced to the others.

Sora was looking at Riku curiously, tilting his head. Did Riku... not know how...? His thoughts were broken into when he heard the cry behind him, glancing back at Aqua. That's right they had to keep moving.


They traveled farther without any further incidents, Sora doing his best to hide every flinch when his leg was jarred from a particularly rough area or bad jump. Arcanine did very well carrying them both to his surprise, even though she was only accustomed to taking his weight. Maybe she knew what they were doing was important.

Aqua nad Ven of course had no trouble at all, having a machine that frightened every Pokemon for a ten mile radius.

Flygon also did well, pulling in all his stamina for the trip, but by the time they reached the camp sight the dragon was obviously exhausted, skipping his supper and fast sleeping by the trees.

Their was laughter echoing in the trees. "Hey stop that!" It was Aqua's voice down by a nearby stream. She had let out some of her water Pokemon while she was gathering water for their canteens for tomorrow's trip.

Terra hummed softly as he cooked nodding in thanks to Gethin as he brought some more firewood - they were going to need it for the rest of the night. Luxray was an unnerving presence at the brunette's side, staring at the pot of food with narrowed eyes. Terra didn't seem at all frightened by his presence, in fact he turned his head murmuring something softly to the lion. The lion wagged a tail excitedly, looking up and then around eyes glowing. After a few moments her ran off into the trees, only to return shortly there after with some interesting pieces of long grass. Terra took them and slit the grass so juice ran from them before twisting them above the pot, adding the spice flavor to it.

Sora winced some as he sat down beside Ven, sighing before laying down his head pillowed on Arcanine's body. Raichu, who had been sitting nearby, greeting him by hopping on his stomach and curling up, trying to use his weight to pin him down. "Oof Raichu!" He laughed, petting the mouse. "I was only gone for three minutes."
"Chuuu~" Said the mouse stubbornly, glaring at him in a way that said 'You are not moving from this spot again'.
Sora just chuckled, bumping their noses together. "It was just a bathroom break silly."
"Rai!" He apparently didn't care.
Sora just chuckled, shaking his head. Arcanine, Raichu and Jolteon all were keeping close tabs on him... even now he could see his yellow fox darting glances towards him as he spoke with Metagross, at the ready to help him if need be.

The brunette had admittedly done very little to help set up camp but no one commented regarding it, just letting him rest by Arcanine. He looked towards Luxray smiling some at how happy his lion was to assist Terra in finding ingredients from someone's bag or in the surrounding forest. "He'd always helped me make the food too..." He told Ven with a smile, proud of his lion. Even if HE couldn't move his Pokemon could.

[Rikugurl]

"Gross, gross... meta!" The steel pokemon nodded as he heard some yips in returned and smiled.
"Haunter?"
The two stopped and looked up at the ghost, red eyes narrowing from the one. "Metagross..."

"Haunter..." The ghost pouted and sighed, sadly floating away back to his master.
He kind of deflated at Ven's side, staying low to the ground as he sighed again.
The blonde looked over and sighed as well, his hand reaching out to pet the pokemon when... it hit the blanket instead.
"Oh....right...." He shook his head and looked out at Jolteon. "Guess that makes two of us..."
"Haunter...?" The ghost blinked as he looked up at Ven, wondering what that meant...

Black boots trekked up to the fire, placing more down close to it. "Smells good." The light voice said before he moved away and looked out at the direction of the road.
He wondered if Umbreon saw anythin---

"SKAAAAAR"

Everyone stopped and looked up, seeing a metal bird fly over the camp and then, "UMBREON!"

The sound of hooves in the distance could be heard in the night sky.

[Reno]

Jolteon's ears twitched and he glanced over at Haunter. His violet eyes narrowed and he looked away huffing at the ghost, ignoring how sad he got. Thankfully he quickly left, making him smile.

Sora looked over, seeing the sad ghost and sighed. Poor thing...

Terra smiled some at the compliment. "Thanks..." He'd spent a lot of time in the kitchen with his mother... though his father hadn't approved of that very much.

"Glaa!" Glaceon happily barked as she hopped from ice step to ice step that she had created as Buizel tried to catch her. Even time he jumped over the small ice platforms and splashed onto the other side the water rose up and splashed Aqua but she didn't seem to mind - in fact she seemed... happier than usual. Neither knew why, but they seemed to like the change.

"SKAAAR!" That's when they all heard the happy metallic cry. Everyone looked up from where they were, seeing a brilliant silver gleam in the moonlight flying over them up in wide circles. "MOOOOORY!!"

"There Axel!" Roxas said when he heard Skarmory's cry... and the telltale yellow glows. The red-head nodded, pulling up on Rapidash's reins and slowed her down until they fell into a trot stopping on the trail beside Umbreon. Roxas looked down at the black fox then up seeing the camp sight. He grinned. "We're back!"

Sora waved from where he was happily, which was... peculair. Usually he was the first to jump up and greet him, regardless if they hadn't seen each other in two years or two minutes. "How was it?!!?"

[Rikugurl]

Axel blinked as he saw the glowing rings and nodded, pulling on the straps to slow the horse down to a trot. He had a happy smile on his face. They made it!
When they stopped next to the fox, the redhead got off and helped the blonde down before taking Rapidash's harness off.
"Good girl..." He nuzzled her as she did the same and all four walked back to the camp close by.

"Great! We got some supplies and pokefood too!!"
"HAUNTER!" The ghost shot up and flew around Axel, the redhead getting the point. "Hahahahaha, alright." He reached into one of the bags on the unicorn's hips and gave the ghost some food, seeing him eat it happily.
The green eyes looked down at Roxas then and smiled. "I'm going to bring Rapidash to the stream for some water and I'll be back."

He walked the horse through the camp, pulling out some food for the stray Pokemon around... even placed some in front of the sleeping dragon before fallowing a little trail to the stream. Even not knowing that they camped near one, he knew Gethin would settle next to one like any good journeyer.
When he got down there, he laughed as he saw the water Pokemon play.

"Wow, they look so happy." He laughed, as he came closer, pulling out some food and placing it on a nearby rock so the Pokemon could eat. He brought Rapidash to the water where she leaned down and drank plenty as Axel leaned down, scooping up some himself. He drank it before looking over at Aqua with a smile. "So, how did it go for you guys?"


Blue eyes looked up as an identical twin came his way.......and totally passed him to go and sit by Sora.
Those same blue eyes turned dark at the rejection and looked away, gritting his teeth.

[Reno]

Pokemon as around chirped, barked and yipped happily as food was left for them. Even Flygon stirred as Axel passed, seeing the food. He smiled but just shut his eyes, going back to sleep.


Down by the river Aqua looked up as she heard some soft rustling of brush and whatnot, smiling at the sight of the red-head and Rapidash. She laughed as well, nodding to his observation. "Yeah they are."

Glaceon and Buizel stopped their play as the food was left for them, the two quickly running over to it to consume it. Aqua watched them, before she lifted another canteen capping it. At Axel's question though she hummed. "Depends on how you look at it." She looked at him as he gave her a curious look. She sighed. "There was an accident..." She started, quickly explaining what had happened to Arcanine, Sora and Gethin.

"Arcanine seems just fine but Gethin and Sora are all cut up... not to mention Sora's leg..."


Roxas walked right past Ventus, not even sparing him a glance as he walked over to his other twin, sitting next to him. Sora, however, noticed it instantly, feeling Ven's anger.
"It went fine, what happened to you?" Roxas demanded, noticing the bandages on his brother's face now that he was close.
"Nothing." Sora snapped irritably, suddenly sitting up. Raichu gave a surprised squeak as he rolled into his master's lap. He looked up and his ears fell seeing Sora... glaring at Roxas?

Roxas noticed it as well, moving back a little uneasily. It was incredibly difficult to make Sora angry at you... but when he was it was a little scary. "W-What?"
"Stop being so immature! Are you EVER going to talk to him or are you just going to pretend our brother doesn't exist huh?" Sora growled.
There was a pause then Roxas scowled. "I don't have anything to say to a traitor like him."
"Roxas!!"