The Tale of Seven

[Reno]

The brunette shifted some, completely unaware to what he was doing each time he shivered and searched blindly around the bag - but this was obviously the reason for his restlessness and bad nights sleeping. He missed a presence that his subconscious had yet to discover was gone.

He did stir however when he heard the bite of metal sliding together and his blankets were tugged... before something warm was against him, curling around him. His eyes slowly opened, blinking dazedly, confused why the bag was so snug suddenly.

He looked down some, seeing a full head of blonde hair... and smiled a little. He moved his hands to circle around the other loosely, murmuring softly. "Good night." He smiled even more as the blonde looked up at him, surprised. He chuckled and laid his head on the pillow his tired eyes slipping shut quickly.

It felt so right... having Ven there.


"There it is... The ocean." Aqua breathed softly as Arcanine ran up a final hill, pausing at the top with Rapidash. The tiger dog panted some and whined at the sight of the stretch of water.

"Oh joy... Just what I always wanted." Came a sarcastic response in everyone's ears. There was some flapping and then Flygon gave a call, landing beside the others, Ven having a tight hold on the reins.
"Oh whats wrong Terra?" Aqua asked, her voice full of amusement as she, Sora and Riku got off the dog. "Scared of getting wet?"
Terra rolled his eyes slipping off the dragon's back, Ven right behind him. "It's filthy, full of carnivorous Pokemon, freezing fucking cold." He paused thoughtfully then smirked. "And oh yeah YOU like it. All the more reason for my distaste."
"Alright you two, you're best friends we get it." Roxas said dully as he and Axel dismounted the unicorn. The blonde reaching up carefully taking off the reins and patting her, smiling. He had once again been leading her. He still didn't have it down completely but he didn't think he was doing too terribly. "Thanks Rapidash."

Sora chuckled, checking over Arcanine as well, slowly taking off her collar. "Good girl." He chirped, scratching her behind an ear. The dog growled happily, one of her back legs shaking.

Terra sighed as he looked back towards Ven as the blond was also taking off Flygon's reins. Maybe he could get the dragon to fly him across...
Of course that was doubtful. There would be no places to land over the water and this would be a long trip, his dragon would never make it.

"Come on you Slowpoke!" Came a call from further down the hill, drawing everyone's attention in surprise. Aqua was already down there and she looked back waving impatiently. "Hurry up!" She laughed before turning and running for the pier. She was in a surprisingly good mood.

Sora, the first to pick up her enthusiasm, grinned excitably. "Yeah let's go!!" He stuffed the collar in his bag and recalled Arcanine impatiently before he hurried down the hill his 'run' gimpy but quick. "WHOO WE'RE AT THE BEACH!"

"Sora don't run!" Roxas called in concern, much like a lifeguard at a pool, as he shoved the reins in Axel's hands and ran after his brother. Ven wasn't far behind.

Terra rose an eyebrow and sighed. "It's JUST water I don't see what the big deal is." He grumbled as he put away Flygon's reins and recalled the large dragonfly. He shoved his hands in his pants sulkily and walked after.

Aqua was the first to make it to the pier, grinning happily. she was hardly deterred when she saw a blonde man as the end of the pier, holding onto a red fishing pole. A little blue Pokemon was running from one side of the blonde to the other, looking down into the water as if to see something extraordinary chirping at each pass. "Mud!" It said on the right. "Kip!" It said on the left.

Aqua walked to the side of the pier, dipping her hand into the cold salty water and sighing happily. Now that felt like home.
Large clomps of feet joined her on the pier, Sora with a bounce to his step. "Ah this is awesome!!"

[Rikugurl]

The wind whipped through the blonde hair as the dragon below zipped along, pulling the reins naturally as he saw the two Pokemon up ahead stop up at a hill. He smiled as he breathed in the crisp air, smelling the ocean. It had been a long time since he had smelt that...

He pulled on the reins a bit harder, indicating that he wanted the dragon to land. When he did, he jumped off after Terra and smiled as he pet the Flydon's neck. "Thanks Flygon! We'll see you in a bit." He said softly before carefully taking off his harness.

Axel couldn't help but laugh as he heard Roxas's comment and shook his head, rubbing Rapidash's back. The unicorn neighed happily before nuzzling the blonde before she was recalled as well. It would be good for her to get some rest seeing that she was out in the cold of the night the night before.
The redhead smiled as he watched the boys race down towards the pier... and couldn't help but chase after them. "HOLD UP!"

Ventus smiled as he saw them go before looking up at Terra. "Guess I can help with travel next!" He called before chasing after his brothers.
Riku sighed as he shifted, looking back at Terra as and watching him pass before he walked down in tow.

When they all reached the pier, the wind of the ocean met them...and slowly some of them realized that this probably wasn't going to be as easy as they thought. Unlike Rapidash, Arcanine and Flygon... they were...lacking Pokemon that could swim... well....except for Aqua.
Axel looked out over the ocean, noting the blonde who was fishing not too far away. Water... really wasn't his favorite... but he did like it a lot more than Terra. At least... it was.....pretty?

He shivered as he watched the waves mount and shook his head before he heard a loud thump behind him.
The green eyes turned only to widen as he saw a rather large Pokemon beside him.
"Empol...." The emperor sounded as he looked out towards the ocean. Where had he...?
Axel blinked as he saw Ven walked up to the large Pokemon and smiled. It was....Ven's?

[Reno]

Terra hesitated on the pier, swallowing a little nervously. "Fuck don't be a coward." He whispered under his breath, getting onto the pier and walking carefully, as if worried the wood under him would snap in half. Fuck, he really should have learned how to swim...

Aqua straightened as Ven brought out his large penguin Pokemon. grinning some. She reaching for one of her Pokeballs and let it fly. There was a pop and a flash of white light before a sea serpent appeared. "Miiiilo!" She called happily.

"Mmm... we're still going to be short..." She mumbled softly. Buizel and Vaporeon were too small to carry anyone for a long distance. If only they still had that damn Lapras!

"HEY I GOT SOMETHING!" A new voice shouted, making everyone jump and look down the wooden planks towards the blonde who had failed to acknowledge their presence. The teen jumped to his feet, pulling on the fishing pull, reeling whatever it was that he caught in. "Mudkip!" Cried his little companion, biting onto the blonde's pant leg and tugging as well.
Everyone blinked curiously, watching in silence. There was a long pause when suddenly there was a loud splash and with a powerful tug, a wiggling Pokemon was pulled from the water, flopping around. It was a large red-scaled fish with a little yellow crown on the top of its head.
"Oh... just a Magickarp." The blonde sighed in disappointment.
"Kiip..."
The Magickarp glared unhappily swinging his tail into the blonde's face.
"AH!" The teen yelped and fell over... beaten down by a Magickarp of all Pokemon! The red fish wiggled free of the hook and jumped back into the water.
"Mudkip! Mudkip!" Cried the little Pokemon, jumping onto the blonde impatiently. They had to keep trying!

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled as he saw the other water pokemon called, this one much prettier than Ven's....though his had a very noble vibe around it. He shook his head as they all seemed to quite down some. This was it...? No one else had any water type that could swim with...?

Before he could ask, him, Riku and Ven looked over as well did everyone else when they heard the fishermen cry out. They watched in excitement as he pulled and pulled on the rod, his little pokemon helping the best he could... but when he pulled out a Magikarp, everyone sighed in disappointment.

The penguin pokemon couldn't help but chuckle as he saw the blonde teen fall on his butt when he got smack in the face from the fish's fin. Served him right. Then again... that fish looked delicious...
He shook his head though when he saw the redhead walk over to the blonde, helping him up.

"Hey, are you alright?" Axel asked as he pulled the blonde to his feet. "I'm Axel and these are my friends." He looked out to the ocean before looking back at the blonde.
"I know... this sounds rather sudden...and I wouldn't blame you if you said no.... but we're on a really important journey to get our Pokemon back from Team Rocket. I'm not sure if you've seen it on the news that they had stolen some Pokemon at the Platinum Stadium but... we need to cross this route to get to the other side...and to finally get to our destination as well. I was wondering...if you had any water pokemon we could ride...?"

Before the blonde could answer, the green eyes looked down in guilt. "But...I...feel bad asking you....because....it's really dangerous... and there is a chance it might get hurt or stolen... BUT... we won't let that happen!" He looked back up at the blonde teen and nodded with confidence. "We'll return him or her when we get out Pokemon back!"

Ven couldn't help but roll his eyes. Axel should save his speeches until AFTER he found out if it was even possible to get another Pokemon for aid... What the hell did Roxas see in this guy again?

[Reno]

"Mudkip!" Cried the little water Pokemon, jumping off of his trainer as the red-head came over.

The blonde blinked as the hand was offered out to him. He tilted his head and took it, smiling some. "I'm-" He started to say but blinked as the other continued to talk, introducing himself. He blinked looking back at the other trainers as of which names were not mentioned to him then looked back at the one called Axel. "Hi, I-" He started but it seemed Axel STILL wasn't done.

He blinked as the other spoke and asked his question. He wanted to use... one of his Pokemon? "Well I do-" He started but the other interrupted again, making him blink slowly.

There was a long pause after Axel finished, the blonde just standing there quietly, waiting for a few moments. Axel rose an eyebrow impatiently. "Oh you're done?" He blinked innocently, some chuckles being emitted from the group behind them.

"Ha!" Aqua laughed. Roxas and Terra just shook their heads, amused.
Sora put a hand over his mouth to hold in his own laughter. Axel really needed to work on his speeches!

"WELL THEN!" The blonde jumped up with a big grin. "My name is Demyx. The Platinum conference huh?" He sighed a little bit though and wagged his finger in the red-head's face. "You see where fighting gets you?" He suddenly whipped out a sitar grinning.

Roxas blinked in confusion. WHERE THE HELL HAD THAT COME FROM?!

Demyx quickly strummed a few chords. "♪Brother my brother tell me what are we fighting for? We've got to end this war!♪" He sang making everyone wince, except Mudkip who hopped around his feet.
He turned around walking to the edge of the pier, still strumming the notes of the song, humming happily. "I do have ONE Pokemon you could use... maybe." He looked back at Axel. "But I'm gonna tell you, all my Pokemon are non-violent."
"Non-violent?" Aqua questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep! We do not start or continue battles for any victorious gain. I taught them only to use the strength of their powers for good purposes."

He reached to the side of his belt. Where three Pokeballs were. He threw one. "Here's my friend!"
There ball opened with a pop and their was a HUGE flash of white light as the Pokemon appeared.

There was a loud gravelly cry as a large blue serpentine dragon appeared.
Aqua's jaw dropped, completely blown away. "HOW AWESOME!" She called running to the end of the pier, practically knocking Axel and Demyx both OFF and into the water.
"Whoa!!" Sora cried just as awed.
Roxas' paled a little and backed up into Empoleon. "Holy..."

"OH FUCK THIS!" Terra snapped, spinning on his heels and running off the pier. "You guys can fucking go on your own!" There was no way, NO FUCKING WAY, he'd get on a Gyarados!!!

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled as he finished but...blinked as Demyx didn't reply. He rose his eyebrow and tilted his head before he heard the final reply. Cheeks grew rosy as he rubbed the back of his neck, laughing a bit. How embarrassing...

His eyes widened though as he got a finger wagging in his face and gasped, hearing what the other had to say. He never met a random trainer who...didn't battle. He too had to wonder where Demyx has pulled out that HUGE guitar but was stunned by his playing more so.

When he finished, Axel slowly nodded. "O-ok..." That was when there was a HUGE flash and... a Gyarados appeared.
"WHOA!" He cried at the large dragon...and then at Aqua who almost made him go flying off the pier.

Axel looked up at the rather angry looking Pokemon as Empoleon steadied Roxas as he bumped into him.

"How the FUCK do you ride one of those?" Ven blinked as he too looked up at the dragon and shook his head before seeing Terra fly by him...
He slowly looked back, seeing the brunette heading for the hills. He had a feeling that this was more than just... not wanting to get near that Pokemon. He looked up at the penguin and nodded. "Stay here and watch Roxas, I'll be right back!" He called before rushing after Terra. The large Pokemon nodded before looking down at his master's... mirror.

"TERRA!" Ven called as he ran up the hill and next to the teen who had stopped.
He put his hands on his hips and frowned. "I know it sucks but you don't have to ride it. Empoleon is big enough for two people to ride on... though you're going to get a little wet..."
At the last sentence, he saw the tanned teen pale a bit.
"............You don't like water.....do you?"

Axel slowly turned to look at Demyx and smiled. "T-thanks. We wouldn't try to battle with your Pokemon any way... besides, I'm a Pokemon Rescuer first and a trainer second!" He said proudly, puffing up his chest much like his Ninetails did before.

[Reno]

Aqua was looking up at the Gyarados with a light smile as if all of her dreams had come true. As a water Pokemon trainer ANYone knew having a Gyarados either meant incredible skill... or that you were incredibly stupid either way.

Her eyes narrowed a little as Axel continued to talk and raised up slamming her hand over his mouth. "Sssssh you're ruining the moment!!"

Demyx chuckled at the lady, grinning some at her. "Your a water trainer huh?"
She smiled. "I try to be."
He nodded and looked up. "Gyarados come down here."
The large dragon-like Pokemon blinked and shifted in the water until his face was level with his master's. Of course he had a very large face so Axel and Aqua both could feel the Pokemon's breathes.

Demyx nodded to her. "Go ahead."
She blinked, than a bright smile lit her face. She reached out, running her hand along the side of water Pokemon's face. The large Pokemon... shut his eyes and let out a happy, hissing purr.

Sora grinned as he watched, glad to see the other woman suddenly happy again. And Gyarados... he was a docile as a kitten! It made him giggle with happiness.
Roxas was still watching the whole scenario with suspicious eyes.
"Milo!" Said the water serpent, turning her face away. He wasn't even cute!


Cowardcowardcoward! His mind raced as he took to the hill. The second he heard his name he froze however when he heard his name and sighed shoulders slumping a bit. He turned to face the blonde avoiding looking very far from the ground or at the blonde to discourage himself from looking... at the ocean.

His face paled almost instantly at the other's askance to join him. Oh god...

"............You don't like water.....do you?"
Terra slowly lowered his eyes, fiddling nervously with a Pokeball on his belt. "It's not just that I don't like it Ven... I'm terrified of it." He swallowed nervously. "When... When I was just a kid... like six, my dad he... he wanted me to know how to swim. His ways of teaching me things were... pretty cruel though."

He looked up at the other hesitantly. "I don't remember everything a lot of my memories of that day are just blank but... I remember him renting the boat and us driving so far away from the land I could barely see it on the horizon. I didn't even know what was going on at first, I was just some stupid happy kid watching the waves fanning out and Pokemon scattering all over. Next thing I knew dad was grabbing me by the ankles and holding upside down over the edge and telling me to kick and paddle and... he let me go."

Terra paled more, shaking all over. "I was confused and scared the very second I hit the water and found out air did NOT exist under there. I screamed for my dad anytime I could find it.... and all I remember if him looking down with this... disappointed look. I blacked out eventually or drowned I dunno. The next thing I knew I was home and holding onto my mom like my life depended on it."

He sighed softly, chuckling bitterly. "God was she pissed at him. I... couldn't even wash my hands or take a bath for weeks. I... was even afraid of the toilet... afraid it'd swallow me too. She had to wean me back into every aspect that included water. And even after that I avoided our beaches like a plague..."

[Rikugurl]

Axel smiled slightly as the large Pokemon leaned down. He...unfortunately wasn't as easy as Aqua to turning happy that this pokemon was... very friendly. Even if he loved rescuing Pokemon, big and tall... he didn't have to like THEM per say...
Maybe... it was because of its element... though he got along well with Aqua....

He shook his head and smiled, looking back at Demyx. "You're...sure we can take him?"


Ven frowned as he tilted his head, hearing Terra was terrified of water. For someone so muscular and making sure his Pokemon were super strong... he had a lot of personal weaknesses. First heights and now water...? Two things that he wouldn't second think...

He was going to make a snide remark about being a baby behind those muscles but he stopped, hearing the whole story. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped, not believing someone would be so horrible... to their own...child.
He swallowed and looked away, the blonde covering his eyes as they saddened.
"T-terra...." No matter how tough you are... something like that could never go away.

However, the blonde looked up, a smile on his face as he saw the suppose to be tan male looking pale still. He took a quick note that by the shade of his skin, his parents must of been from totally different sides of the world. Had to wonder what got them together...

"Don't worry. I know how to swim... and my Empoleon rides the waves super smoothly! If anything did happen though... and we do happen to hit some rough waters and fall off... I can help you and... so won't my Pokemon."

[Reno]

"Sure!" Demyx chirped, smiling. Some of the other trainers looked surprised at this, most people wouldn't just blindly give out trust like that. "You better bring him back or I'll hunt you all down."


Terra looked at the other as he tried to cheer him up... to trust him. He shuddered some more at the idea of falling off. Fuck he couldn't even put his head under water in a fucking bathtub let alone...

But it wasn't like there was any other way. His shoulders slumped a little. "Alright..." He murmured. Not because he trusted Ven as much as he knew that they HAD to go no matter what. Houndoom was out there, waiting for him. He knew he;d be facing his fear for the love of his dog... and nothing else.

[Rikugurl]

Riku shifted as he heard the man agree so willingly. How could he...
His train of thought stopped though as he heard the rest and nodded. Even non violent trainers had their violent love for their pokemon.
Well....protective.

He slowly walked up next to Gyarados and looked up at the large creature before his eyes suddenly glowed blue.
"We need to get to Route 121. Do you think you can help us?" He asked, the Gyarados's eyes turning the same blue as it heard it in its head. Only he and the Pokemon could hear his words.... not even the surrounding Pokemon could.

The Empoleon looked at the scene and tilted his head before looking over at the water serpent.
Oh jeez.... here we go....
He blinked and looked back though as he heard footsteps coming back, seeing his master and the brunette teen walk over to him. "Poleon..."

"Alright, we're set to go!" Ven called as he walked over to the group. "Who's riding with who?"
Unfortunately... the water Pokemon weren't as large as... the others they had traveled on.

[Reno]

Gyarados smiled, though it was hard to see because of how his jaw was, as he was pet by the other trainer. However to his surprise, he suddenly had a voice in his head, asking him a question. The large dragon blinked and growled softly. "Yes."

Everyone looked back however when they heard footsteps on the pier once more and their runaway friend was back, still pale but doing his best to hide it behind a tough front. No one was fooled but they knew better than to bring attention to it.

However at Ven's question they all paused, a few people glancing at each other uncertainly. It was obvious who Terra was going with, so Empoleon was out and Milotic looked only lean enough to carry one MAYBE two. Who WANTED to ride on Gyarados?
Sora grinned excitedly and looked at Riku. "It'll be fun! Wanna?"

Roxas looked at his eldest brother incredulously, shaking his head. His brother was nuts or just didn't have enough brain cells left to be afraid of anything.

[Rikugurl]

Riku blinked before looking towards Sora. Seemed like he was asking a 'you know what I mean' question before looking back at the Gyarados. He nodded before looking back at Sora. "Yea, sounds like fun." He said softly with a chuckle.

Axel smiled as he saw the teams....team up and looked over at Aqua. "Well, Vaporeon can get me across....why don't you let your Floatzel help Roxas?"
He knew what Pokemon Aqua had now...due to her releasing them to ask them if they still wanted to stay. As for Ven... he had yet to do so.
Axel had to wonder why not...

He smiled more as he pulled out a pokeball and let it open, a Vaporeon energizing and yipping happily, knowing he was going to be able to swim.
Hopefully...
Axel looked over at Demyx and frowned. "You haven't seen any Sharpedo in these waters....right?"

[Reno]

Sora grinned even more as Riku agreed to come with, bouncing on his heels. "Yay!!" He practically pounced on the silverette, hugging him in his overly excited way. Poor Riku was lucky he never had to travel with him...

At the red-head's suggestion, Aqua glanced back at the blonde, seeing him looking at the Gyarados like it was death "suppose I'm going to have to." She sighed and walked over to the checkered blonde. "Dumbbell, get over here."
Roxas yelped as he was grabbed and pulled closer so Aqua could give him details on just HOW to take care of her dear Buizel.

Demyx tilted his head at Axel's question. "I don't recall any no." He smiled. "I'm sure they aren't all as bad as you think though."

After some discussion, there was another trip to the forest for some quick changes of clothing. Whether it be by ponchos or bathing suits or just simply taking off underwear and socks and shoes, everyone made adjustment for the wet path ahead.

After that each person got on or held onto their respective swimming partner, Demyx sang his goodbye to Gyarados and they were off. On the winds however, they heard Demyx still singing... but this time to them.

"♪The power of ooone
Begins with be-Lieving
It starts in the heart
Then flows through the soul
And changes the wooooorld.
Imagine how life will beeee
When we stand in unitttty
Each of us hooolds the keeeey
To the power of oooone
And ooooone by ooooone
We can make the world a much better place! ♪"

"Whoooo!!" Sora called, holding onto Riku tightly as Gyarados seemed to cut through the water. "This is awesome!!"

"Bui Bui!" Called Buizel, competing with Vaporeon. His tail twisted behind him like a boat propeller, yellow collar inflated to keep him above water like a flotation device.

Aqua just sighed happily leaning back against Milotic's neck as she swam through the water quickly in a waving pattern, letting her hand dip in the water like a surfer would when tube riding.

Terra meanwhile was scared shitless, holding onto Ven tightly and hiding his face in the other's neck. He was more worried if he looked up he might have a panic attack.

[Rikugurl]

A grin ran over Ven's face as he saw Axel's boxers. "Nice..." He smirked, seeing the black boxers and flames dancing below. How...typical.
"Thank you~" Axel spat out his tongue before sighing, jumping into the water and wrapping his arms around Vaporeon who was already waiting for him.

Ven looked back, his own torso exposed as he wore swim trunks that he had bought in the town before. Call him prepared.
It was light blue with swirls in it like the wind. He slowly stopped onto Empoleon's back and reached his hand out to take Terra's.
The brunette stumbled onto the bird, making him sink from the weight but only their feet got wet. Being steel as well, the penguin hardly felt any pain as they slowly got settled.

Riku, not being afraid of any pokemon due to his communication with them...was a bit uneasy as Gyarados rose its head and they were up in the air. He looked down and swallowed but before he could say anything, they were off.
"WHAAAA!" He cried as his hood flipped up and his silver hair whipped around Sora's face.

"Vaaaaa!" The Eeveelution grinned in the competition...and started to kick his tail and paddle as fast as he could.
"WHOA! HOLD ON, VAPOREON!" Axel cried as he and Roxas zoomed through the waters.

"Empo!" The penguin sounded as he rose his flippers and like a smooth speed boat, he was after the group as well, enjoying the water in his face as he quickly caught up.

[Reno]

Sora blinked suddenly as he was hit in the face by shining silver strands that were, just like before on that accidental day with Metgaross, painfully beautiful in the sun. His heart ached with longing to see Riku's hair like this all the time, and god he bet those aquamarine eyes were utterly gorgeous... - but mili-seconds after that thought he remembered the terrible condition of Riku's skin. No silly desire was worth his life.

He held Riku around his waist a little tighter and braved letting go with the other, hurriedly grabbing the hood and shoving it back over the other's head. "Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.

Roxas meanwhile was completely unaware of the going-ons around him as the two water types went at it. He grinned competitively towards Axel. "What's wrong Ax? Scared?"

Aqua opened her eyes, looking left and right and smiled even more, content as they continued to weave. If only humans could live in water... than she could also feel this peace.

"You know what?" Terra said near Ven's ear. "We're all gonna have bad sunburns when we get to shore." Sunscreen was NOT something they had thought of."