The Tale of Seven

[Rikugurl]

Riku's eyes closed as his continued to hold onto one of the Gyarados's crown, wanting to let go to pull his hood over but... his couldn't... He would fall and bring Sora with him and...

He opened his eyes as he felt the hood over his head, covering his face once more before looking back slightly. "I am now!" He called and gave Sora a smile before quickly pulling on the cord to close his hood tight around his face so it wouldn't fly back again. "Thank you, Sora!"

Axel's eyes widened as his hair was whipped back, becoming drenched like it had that day with the downpour. He looked over at Roxas and grinned, narrowing his eyes. "YOU'RE ON!" He called before holding onto Vaporeon tighter. "Come on! You can beat this weasel!"
"POREON!" The mermaid cried happily before kicking his tail harder and picking up speed.

He had forgotten that he had told Vaporeon to hold on to save his energy... BUT IT WAS ON!

Ven leaned in close as he held onto the trident on the Pokemon's head, being hit with the water that his fins picked up.
When he heard Terra though, he had to rolls his eyes. "FOR BEING A TOUGH GUY, YOU SURE ARE A BIG BABY! MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE IN A DRESS NEXT TIME!" He called over the sound of the crashing waves.

[Reno]

Sora grinned, blushing happily at the other's gratitude. He laughed a little, happiness bubbling into his stomach. "That's what friends are for!"

"Go for it Buizel!!" Roxas called, grinning.
"BUI!" Cried the otter/weasel, his tail spinning fast and they also shot forward through the water.

Terra's eyes snapped open at the yell and he growled furiously. so much for his concern. "OH FUCK YOU!" The joke was on Ven though because Terra, naturally tanned, didn't GET sunburned, or when he did, never badly because he had lived in a fucking DESERT for god's sake. But Ven was pretty damn pale and he was going to be bitching soon.


Later.

"Whose the big baby? Hmm? Hmmm?!" Terra said, maliciously poking Ven's cheek which, under the sun and sheen of the ocean, was turning red.

Aqua watched the two, chuckling as well. It was well deserved she supposed. She glanced to her left, smiling some more. The Pokemon, somewhat tired, had slowed down for the time being - mainly because of Axel and Roxas' stupid little race. Because of their slow pace, Roxas had let go of the orange sea otter and was back-pedaling through the water, showing off his skill. He was sunburned as well, though not as dark as Ven's - possibly because of the cold water or of his body being hidden in the shadow of the waves.

As for Gyarados, the large sea dragon had lowered his body more into the sea, enough so Sora, no longer needed to hold onto Riku for dear life, was dipping his hands in the cool water and splashing his heated face with it. He was tanner than his brother's but still not really that dark and some spots on his skin were definitely turning pink. "Maybe I should go for a swim too." He joked.

[Rikugurl]

"Ouch! Stop that!" Ven cried painfully as his cheeks burns as so did his whole body when he moved. How come he got so burned! He sighed and looked up, seeing Mt Pyre coming up close. He wondered if Vaporeon and Buizel were still racing. He'd check if turning his neck didn't make tears form in his eyes. They weren't even half way yet... what was going to happen to his skin!?

"M-maybe we should settle at the mountain..." He said softly. He knew for a fact that if they did stop... it wasn't going to be a restful one. This was like Pokemon Tower and Lost Tower. They were were all the Pokemon were buried and that meant...ghost pokemon were everywhere.
Having Haunter, he wasn't all that scared but it wouldn't be fun...

"Va...va..." The mermaid panted as he continued to paddle, making sure he was always ahead of the otter even when he was slacking. He evolved into a water pokemon for a reason! He couldn't lose!

Axel on the other hand wasn't burning either... cause he was....hehehehehe, use to it. Axel didn't think he could get burned being a fire trainer... though he wasn't going to take his chances with pissing off a Houndoom. His eyes were closed as he rested on Vaporeon's back, enjoying being towed.

Riku too was relaxing, his skin fine under his coat. He glanced back at Sora with a smile and nodded. "Go ahead."

[Reno]

"We might have to." Terra sighed some at Ven's complaints, carefully but unwilling letting go of the other to go through one of their bag. He tugged out his jacket and pulled it up and over the blonde placing him in some shade, trying to prevent the burns from getting worse. "See why I was worried?"

Aqua shut her eyes, as Milotic lowered even more into the water, dipping her hands and feet into it. She too was pretty burnt but she didn't seem to mind, in fact if someone took one look at her they'd think she was probably very happy about that fact.

Sora grinned at Riku as the other encouraged him. "Okay!" He said before he jumped right off of Gyarados, making a splash. He surfaced after a few moments, shaking his head and making his spikes bounce back into place before he shot off through the water with an interesting looking kick, before he shot for a certain someone else in the water. "Gotcha!" Sora cried as he tackled Roxas.
"So-" Roxas started to cry as they went under there bodies twisted as they wrestled. When they came up for air both of them were laughing and splashing each other.

[Rikugurl]

Ven blinked as he felt something on his hurting back, smiling a bit as he slowly moved and looked over at Terra, his face burned. "T-thanks..." He smiled before looking at the mountain that was coming closer. He could see Wingull flying around the summit, swooping down and catching the Magikarp in the waters below.

"How are you doing, Empoleon?" He asked to his Pokemon below only to hear a soft sigh.
He was getting tired.
He sighed as well and nodded before looking out at his idiot twins. "SORA!" He called, knowing he was likely the leader of this group. "WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STOP HERE FOR THE NIGHT!"

He got a call back and sighed even more, really not wanting to stop. It was already taking them so long... it would take about a week to get to Sky Pillar at this rate. By then... who knows what might happen to Moltres, Houndoom and Froslass... He closed his eyes, the thought making him sick.

Axel's eyes widened as he was suddenly splashed and he flailed, falling into the water himself.
Unfortunately, water was swallowed up as he pushed to surface.
He grabbed onto his Pokemon, making him yelp from the force as he pulled up and started to choke, grabbing everyone's attention.
"I'M! ACK! F-FINE!"

[Reno]

Terra smiled back some, just nodded to the other's appreciation. Why he was being so nice, he wasn't sure. He HAD warned him though, now didn't he? Ven probably deserved to suffer...

but the way he said 'Thanks' made him feel all... ugh, in romantic-speak 'fluffy inside' (He was no fucking stuffed bear though!)

"No problem!!" Sora called over the splashes, before he swooped forward and tackled into the blonde into the water again. this made a huge splash... that hit Axel. The tqo heard him coughing and spluttering and stopped there play quickly swimming over and giving him a few pats on the back.
"Ahh sorry about that!" Sora apologized, unable to hold back some chuckles. His flattened spikes had fallen into his eyes - his hair was a lot longer than it looked and he hurriedly brushed of it out of his eyes. How did Riku STAND it?


It didn't take too long for the group to reach the mountains, their swimming Pokemon carefully avoiding the jagged and craggy rocks that surrounded the mountain on a protective ring. They quickly led their Pokemon to the land, some of them - mainly Roxas, Sora and Axel, simply swimming to shore and walking onto the surprisingly rocky beach side. there were Wingulls in the trees and a few Meditites and Vulpix scurried through the grass before running out of sight.

Ven was quick to find some shade, Aqua following after. Axel, along with Roxas and Riku handed out Pokemon food to the exhausted water types. Terra meanwhile pulled Sora aside talking to him shortly. The brunette tilted his head curiously, confused for a moment but nodded reaching for one of his Pokeballs. "Go Luxray!"

Terra went over to the large cat asking him something softly. The lion blinked but looked around, eyes turning gold. After a few moments he started to walk off. "I'll be right back." Terra called and hurried after before anyone could stop him.

Sora blinked but shrugged walking over to where Riku was with Gyarados, tossing the food into the Pokemon's large mouth. He growled happily, his mouth actually closing as he chomped down on the food. The brunette chuckled as he walked over petting the Gyarados as Aqua had. "Good huh?" He glanced back at Riku seeing a blue glow coming from under the hood and he knew Riku was speaking with the large dragon, probably telling him of their plans and wondering if he'd be okay sleeping out. Of course even though he felt bad they could not recall the large Pokemon, he knew there were few that would mess with this dragon so he wasn't too worried about him getting hurt.

After the Pokemon were fed, the four trainers moved more inland. Roxas looked towards the large mountain, noticed a hole in the side of it - like a cave but carved so specifically it was more of a door really. "Where are we?"
"Mmm... Mount Pyre." Aqua said.
"...O-Oh." He stuttered a little.

Sora looked towards the mountain's entrance as well, his eyes sad. He had the desire to go there and take a look around, pay his respects. It didn't matter if it wasn't the Lost Tower, where he had Furret buried. All those Pokemon deserved someone to say hello, especially those long forgotten. Before he could act however there was a rustling.

"What the hell are those?" Aqua asked as she looked at something over the brunette's shoulder. Everyone looked back, seeing Terra walking over with a plant, freshly pulled, under each arm. They looked almost like artichokes except for their leaves were spread out and longer with bumpy edges. Luxray was right behind him looking proud.

Terra rolled his eyes and walked past them, stopping beside Ven and setting the plants down. "Didn't you ever read?" He shot, aiming the comment towards Aqua as he pulled one off the leaves free. He straightened and snapped the leaf in half, hearing it snap just like a raw pea pod would when opened like that. But instead of the little seeds being inside, there was a filmy, gooey substance that resembled sap, but was slightly green in color, possibly from the green pigment of the leaves. "It's Aloe." He said simply.

He slipped his finger in the slit of the broken leaf, getting a glop of the cool, thick liquid on his finger before carefully brushing some of it on Ven's cheek - the same one he had poked so ruthlessly. "How does that feel?"

[Rikugurl]

"Haunter! Hau hau!?" The ghost flew around, seeing if anyone would give him some pokefood. He had released himself when he smelt it...he couldn't help it! Ever since he was caught and taken from the tower, he couldn't eat other pokemon...so that pokefood! HE NEEDED IT!

"Haunter?"
He floated by the large Pokemon, tapping his shoulder. The Empoleon was chowing down when he felt the poke and looked up, glaring at the begging ghost. "POLEON!" He roared, making the ghost flail and float off to bug the Vaporeon and Buizel.
That didn't work either as water was shot at him.

Who else had...
His eyes widened when he saw the huge dragon eating some food and sighed in defeat.
"Hey Haunter?"
A redhead close by called, making the ghost turn around to see Axel offering up some food. "HAUNTER!" He cried and floated down, shoving the food in his mouth.
"H-hey! Leave some ok!?" Axel laughed as he shook his head, seeing how happy the ghost looked.

"This sucks..." A blonde sighed as he took shelter under a rocky cove. He looked around, seeing some traces of Vulpix footprints and some sea shells that had washed up. He blinked though when he heard heavy footsteps coming close and then a snap from the brunette and his partner. His blue eyes looked up, seeing Terra walking his way.
Thankfully, that sunburn hid his blushing as Terra sat down in front of him...

He swallowed as he watched, seeing the weird goop on his hands. Aloe...? It looked like---
The blonde winced as he felt pressure on his cheek but then... tons of relieve. He blushed even more as he slowly looked back up at Terra. "It feels....really good...."

As everyone was lounging the hooded teen shifted and slowly headed towards the door that was hinged onto the side of the mountain. He slowly pushed it open, going in before his hood was pulled off, revealing that silver hair once more as he stepped deeper inside.

[Reno]

Terra smiled some at the others admission. "Good~" He said softly, getting some more and smearing it on the other cheek. "Don't know what the hell you ever did without me." He joked softly.

Aqua rolled her eyes at the pathetic display. "Ugh, you two are disgusting."
"No one asked you." Terra growled, throwing the leaf at her head before tearing off another, cracking it open as well.

Roxas gagged some as well at the display and quickly turned and walked back over to Axel who was watching the Pokemon eat, sighing. "I think I liked it better when they were fighting. This whole public affectionate display is making me sick."

Sora watched Terra and Ven as well, unable to hold back his enthusiastic smile. He sighed happily. "Aren't they great Ri?" He waited for a response and blinked in confusion when he didn't get one. Well, actually that was pretty common but still...

He looked around. "Riku?" He spotted a flash of silver disappearing into darkness. "Hey wait up!!" He called running after.
"Lux?!" Cried the lion, running after his master.

[Rikugurl]

Ven closed his eyes as he felt more of the goop be put on him, feeling how it healed so perfectly. He wondered...how Terra was able to learn all these tricks... From the way he diatribe his dad and that...swimming lesson, he could guess it was probably his mother.
Or... he remembered that Terra had said that he loved reading....so maybe from a book...

Either way, he was glad that he was trying to help.

Axel blinked as he heard Roxas and looked down, seeing that disgusted look on his face. He looked over, seeing Terra and Ven in the small cove and smiled slightly. "I'd have to agree. Absol and Ninetails are much cuter."
He was about to continue when he heard Sora call out and run up towards the mountain. "What are they doing...?"

Riku continued to walk down the small isle, up to the sculpture in the middle that read a prayer for the tombstones that were placed in perfect rows behind it.
When he heard heavy feet, he looked back, his features still shadowed from the dim light as he looked at Sora and his lion.

[Reno]

Terra got some more aloe on his finger and looked at Ven and paused, blushing just a little himself. It was such a simple expression, eyes closed in content, mouth curved slightly up in a smile, cheeks red from sunburn and probably a bit of a blush... so why did it have such an effect on him?

Before his brain could catch up to him, he was leaning forward, brushing his lips against Ven's lightly.

Aqua took one look at them, gagged once more and stood walking away irritably. "Ugh there should be a law against that shit." She mumbled under her breath going towards the sea. A swim sounded lovely.

Roxas blinked at Axel's next statement, his brows furrowing. Did he seriously just use the word 'cute'? He didn't get a chance react however when Axel's attention was drawn. He looked back as well, rolling his eyes as Sora disappeared into the mountain. "Personally I'd rather not know." He glanced back towards the cove to see... Aqua walking away from the couple and passing them to head to the water.

Sora hesitated the very second Riku looked back at him, unable to gauge the other's expression due to all the darkness. Was he angry with him? Maybe he wanted to be alone...? Or at the very least be quiet.

He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck and, with more care than before, walked over to Riku's side, trying not to make too much noise. Luxray was right at his heels, pads not making a sound. He glanced at Riku... before his eyes dropped to the sculpture, reading the small prayer written on it. His expression saddened suddenly and he bowed his head, hands clasping in front of him as if he were uttering the prayer as well.

[Rikugurl]

Ven hummed pleasantly as he felt more place on his face. So gentle and caring and his eyes suddenly snapped open as he felt soft lips on his own. His eyes slowly lidded, replying a soft kiss in return before he unconsciously wrapped his arms around Terra's neck, pulling him closer.

Axel rose his eyebrow and glanced at Roxas. "I don't think they're going to..." He stopped as Aqua walked pass them and down towards the water again. He blinked and looked back at Roxas before shrugging and following her, the Ghost following behind with crumbs coming from his mouth.

"I'm glad that it's a beautiful day... made getting here so much easier!" Axel started as he sat down next to the blue haired girl. He didn't know what it was about Aqua that made Axel want to become friends with her, cheer her up and feel less lonely.

Riku smiled slightly as Sora looked up at him before sighing softly and clasped his hands together as well. He closed his eyes and also muttered something softly before straightening and looking around slowly.
"My mother said that when my dad died... supposedly all his Pokemon died with him..." He said, a bit of a bite behind it.
"She said they buried them all here...and I want to make sure...that that's the truth..."

[Reno]

Terra smiled as he was pulled closer, shutting his eyes slowly. He hummed softly, licking his tongue along the other's lips, feeling how chapped they were but didn't seem to mind. Without much resistance he slipped his tongue in, running along the blonde's.

Roxas blinked as Axel stopped mid-sentence and just... walked away. E-Eh?! He spun around in confusion, his jaw dropping open as the red-head went to... AQUA?!

His teeth snapped with an audible clack, his eyes smoldering. Unlike Ven who he had loved the second they laid in the same crib together, he had no such ties to this... this blue harlot! He would NEVER forgive her. What did Axel SEE in her? She was nothing but breasts, an annoying temperament and... and womanlyness! UGH she was just... UGH!

He snarled and spun stomping off in another direction.

Aqua sighed as she sat down on the shore, smiling a little as the tides came in and soaked her feet. She turned her head however when rocks crunched signifying a presence coming near and - lo and behold - there was Axel. He, Ven and Sora were really the only three actually talking to her, which surprised her. "Mmm, it's exciting sailing through storms." She disagreed looking towards the horizon. Her gaze didn't last long though when she heard a ferocious noise behind her, making her look back just in time to see a tense Roxas walking off like a storm himself.
"Mmm... now I can definitely see how Ven and him are related." She joked. "He's a pretty jealous one ain't he?"

Sora opened his eyes moments before Riku did, smiling a little. He looked towards the silverette curiously, hearing the strange tone - one he had admittedly never heard from the other before. He wondered what that meant... obviously Riku seemed to have bitter feelings for his father.
"May... I help you look?" He asked kindly, his voice low to be respectful of the sleeping ghosts in the area.

[Rikugurl]

Ven hummed again as he was kissed more, feeling that tongue on his lips once more. The last time this had happened... yea... tree. This was much softer... like...the way Terra kissed him when he was...Venita.

He opened hit mouth, tilting his head to clasp his lips around Terra as their tongues started to move together. His fingers reached up, running through the brunette hair and pulling it softly.

Of course, he didn't even realize that he was making out in front of everyone.

Axel frowned when he heard the reply but tilted his head, looking out at the ocean and feeling the breeze blow through his hair. "Well... I think it's better that we make it there in once piece. We've already had WAY too much excitement already." Even if he missed the Beedrill, that storm was bad enough...

He slowly glanced over, seeing Roxas storm off to no where. Lips had to let off a sigh as his narrow eyes closed and shook his head. "Guess he forgot that he and I are going to be traveling together..." He looked down and sighed again, throwing some rocks in the water. "Maybe I need to work on my attention span..."

The dark blue eyes lightened as he heard an offer next to him, slowly looking down. Silver hair fell in front of his face but the smile was seen perfectly. "S-sure..." He said softly before coming closer and slowly started walking down the isles of the tombs, seeing the names, the species and the trainer names carved in them.

[Reno]

Shit how could Ven be so fucking sexy when they were barely kissing?! He groaned softly, his own hand curling into the back of the other's head. He danced with the other's tongue and explored the other's mouth as if he was trying to memorize it.

He didn;t fucking care who was watching - the only two things on his mind were this: Kiss Ven and don't hurt Ven.

Aqua chuckled very softly at his answer, smirking. "No your attention span is fine." A pause. "WELL... maybe it could use a little work." She reached down, grabbing a rock as well, flipping the smooth surface in between her fingers.

"But I don't think that's the problem I just think you're little buddy blondie over there likes attention - mainly from you. And if he's anything like Ven, which is a distinct possibility, than I bet he definitely has some self-esteem issues to work out if he thinks you talking to me is the end of the world." She threw her arm out letting the stone fly. It skipped once or twice before getting swallowed by a wave.

Sora's cheeks went a faint red as he saw that smile aimed at him, making his heart do a little leap in his chest. He grinned goofily, practically floating on air as he followed after the silverette, little hearts dancing after him. It didn't even occur to him he didn't know what Pokemon he was looking for... or even Riku's father's name.

Luxray rolled his eyes at his trainer's obviously lovestruck gaze. How were humans so idiotic as not to notice these things?!

[Rikugurl]

Axel slowly looked at Aqua before looking at Roxas again. "What should I do...?" He asked softly.


The sun slowly set over the water horizon. Something that Riku hadn't seen for years... that was if he was actually looking.

Down below on the island, a camp fire was being made with the help of Typhlosion. It was Aqua's turn to make...well...catch dinner.
They had Magikarp with a side of sea kelp fried glazed with some berries that Axel had picked up.

Green eyes smiled in the blaze of the fire before he looked up at the mountain. "SORA! RIKU! DINNER IS READY!" He called out, wondering if they could hear him... They had been in there all day...
He shook his head and he grabbed the plates, slowly distributing the karp and sea weed to the others. First was Aqua in which he gave her a spicy berry glaze. Next was Roxas, in which had sweet berry glaze dribbled on it in the shape of a heart.

He gave the blonde a wink before trekking over to the lovebirds that were still in the cove, cuddled up for warmth. Axel had told them to come by the fire a hour ago but they insisted that they were comfortable...and then Terra snapped at him to leave them alone.

He handed Ven another sweet glazed, nothing special on it and Terra a spicy.
He slowly walked over, putting another glaze on three more fish and placing them down for the Pokemon to eat. He also threw some scarps out for the wild Vulpix's and Meditites. He then grabbed a fork and started to eat his own, smiling at the sour glaze.

Riku and Sora had walked through rows and rows of stones, seeing some signs of Shuppet's flying off here and there. They went to the second floor and then to the third. They stopped at some, reading little passages and Sora enjoyed some of the names. It was amazing how long some of the Pokemon had lives...and how said it was that infant pokemon were buried here as well.

When they reached the fifth and last floor, there was another door to the summit and old tombs around that were more dusty than others.
What caught Riku's attention were six tombstones in a row, under a lone window that was carved from the rock. The sunset was pouring over them as he slowly approached them, Umbreon, Sora and Luxray in tow.

He stopped in front front of them and his black gloves wiped them from their dust so they were legible.
"Farran Yamada..." He read the trainer's name and slowly stood.
"These...were my father's Pokemon..." He spoke softly, as if this was also his discovery.
He looked at each one, his eyes darkening.
There was a Gardevoir, a Lairon, a Cacturne, an Armaldo, a.......Seviper and his loyal Pokemon, a Murkrow named Sliver.

Riku slowly closed his eyes, looking down at the ground. "He...really did die..."

Just then, the wind carried a faint call about dinner being ready.