The Tale of Seven

[Reno]

Sora was very quiet, blushing a bit as he waiting for someone, ANYONE to say anything. He stared at his fingers, twiddling them nervously. However when he heard Riku he smiled some, placing his hand atop the other's and squeezing the fingers lightly. "Thank you." He said sincerely.

Aqua sighed some, glancing at Sora. Was that what... Skitty had wanted as well? To become part of her - or Ven's - team? Was that why... for nearly the past three months, they had both been pestered by the little pink ball of fluff that would pop into their missions at distracting and awkward times?
"...then I knew I had to honor those bonds."
She shut her eyes, coming to a decision. If that Skitty was still alive... and somewhere in Sky Pillar, god damn it all she was going to get it the fuck out of there and make it apart of her team.

Terra silently sat there as well, letting the story roll over in his head. Now everything made a lot more sense. That fear of of the blue wolf Pokemon, the extra love he seemed to share for Arcanine, Jolteon and Raichu, and of the course the bum leg. He chuckled at Ven's outburst, rubbing his shoulder comfortingly. It probably was a lot to take in, realizing your brother had nearly died only one year into his journey... and had never told his siblings about it.

The minute Ven was done Roxas looked up and glared at Sora as well, "Me too damn it! I can't believe you didn't say anything." However he couldn't help but be glad... Sora had made such great Pokemon friends on his journey. Those who protected him and took care of him. Of course, he didn't expect anything less from him.

The brunette blushed more, chuckling. "E-Erm... s-sorry. I love you both?" He gave them a wide, innocent grin to gain forgiveness.

It wasn't really hard to give and slowly everyone seemed to relax, one of the mysteries solved. However, Axel was already ready with a new one. And this time, everyone was looking towards Aqua.

The blue-haired female opened her eyes in surprise and then she looked at the red-head accusingly, her gaze almost angry. Or maybe she was just trying to hide some panic as she glanced uncertainly at Ven. The other just shrugged, signifying it was her decision.

She sighed looking at her lap. "I guess I owe you all at least that much." She looked up slowly, gazing around the ring. They would understand her a lot better after this...
She stopped on Axel, raising an eyebrow. "Well you asked for it. Now just try not to get sick hearing it Auntie's boy." She smirked as she stretched her legs out in front of her crossing one over the top of the other. "Alright, it's kind of long but you all remember when I told you about how my father passed?" Everyone slowly nodded.

"Good... well now I'm going to tell you about my bitch of a mom. She was actually... a politician of Canalave Town Hall. so we were actually a very.... rich family. We had one of the largest houses in the whole town - it was three stories... including the attic."

She hummed softly, her eyes darkening some. "Unlike my dad, my mother hated anything to do with water. Or Pokemon. She was absolutely disgusted with me anytime I went out boating with him, or fishing or played with other Pokemon in the park. She'd punish me when dad wasn't around - usually not physically so don't get all 'oooh Aqua's mommy beat her' and crap like that." She scoffed. "But, I got things taken away from me. I got time outs. I got spankings and whatnot. I went to bed without supper more fucking times than I could count. My mom... she wanted only the perfection of a lady from me. She wanted me to wear dresses and make-up and play with dolls and shit and not fucking 'ruin my life' trying to be a trainer in which only 'boys' were ever any good at."

She sighed angrily. "I'm pretty sure dad knew actually. I don't know why... he never left her and took him with me. Maybe he couldn't, maybe he thought it would be better for me to have a female role model. Or maybe he just give as much as a damn as I wish he could of. I don't know, but it pisses me off nevertheless." She laughed suddenly, bitterly. "Fuck, I had one of the fuckiest fucked-up upbringings... I got so many mixed signals as a kid, by the time I was ten I had NO fucking clue what was right and what was wrong."

She sighed. "Well anyways. After my dad died everything just went down the shit hole... because guess what? Mom... could do whatever the fuck she wanted. The last few months of being nine weren't... so bad. She hardly had time for me between the grieving, the funeral, the damage to the town, the political crap. It was... a relief really. But... then I made a mistake, just about a week before I turned ten."

"Yes I know!" Aqua's mother, Adrielle, said irritably into the phone her fork tapping on her plate to show her agitation. "Yes... Yes Hoshi I do understand... I know that but we need..."
Aqua looked up from her half-finished plate, watching her mother talk about something or another. "Mom...?" she asked softly.
"Now now. No, not you Hoshi, my daughter. Now about those files-"
"Mom!" She tried again.
Adrielle gave an exasperated sigh, glaring at her daughter. "They should be on my desk and if not in the file cabinet. I signed them already so-"
Aqua frowned unhappily. "Mom I'm going to be a Pokemon Trainer!"

Suddenly everything just seemed to... pause. It was... unsettling how quiet it became. The tapping stopped, and Hoshi's voice was only a quiet muffle in the background, not more disturbing then the waves of the ocean they could always hear.
"Hoshi... I need to call you back." Adrielle said, her voice menancing enough to make Aqua cringe with fear. She realized then that she shouldn't of said a word. But dad had always said... be brave. Speak your mind. Be who you are...
The phone clicked off and was sent down on the table. "Now, excuse me? What did you say?"

Aqua swallowed hard. This was a real big deal... if her mother hung up on Hoshi of all people. Whenever she was put before work... it was never, ever a good sign. "I'm... when I turn ten next week. I'm going to leave to started traveling as a trainer."
"Without a Pokemon?" She said, her voice still calm. The calm before the storm as her dad would say. That was when you got the fuck outta the way. But Aqua had nowhere to run.
"I-I'll catch one." She murmured softly. "I have some pokeballs and-"
"You have WHAT?"
"I-I bought them w-with my allowance." Aqua stuttered out, shaking a little. then she said something she would probably always regret doing. "You can't stop me!"

"Oh... you think so huh?" Adrielle hissed suddenly and then stood so quickly her chair toppled over with a loud crash. "You can fend on your own? Then I guess you don't need this!" She grabbed Aqua plate and threw it into the wall. Aqua whimpered as it shattered,

"You don't need mommy looking after you anymore huh? Is that it? Fuck, you haven't learned shit. That damn father of yours... filling you with these foolish ideas just because he wanted a fucking BOY!" She walked over to the other side of her table where her daughter was cowering, looking at the floor and crying. She grabbed her daughter's chin, forcing her to look up. "So that's what you want huh? To be some dyke, running around like all those other no good, promiscuous females, and catching those filthy animals?"
Now this... she regretted not even a little. One simple word.
"Yes."

SLAP!
The little girl uttered a surprised cry as she was hit, then yelped as she was yanked out of the chair and dragged by her arm. Aqua started to holler and yell, her voice screeching to be let go.
"Shut up! SHUT THE FUCK UP! Come on you no good brat! I'll teach you. You think I can't stop you oh just you wait!!"

And then she was dragged up to the second floor... and to a very familiar door. The door leading to the attic. It was opened and the girl yelped at she was thrown onto the carpeted stairs, tears springing at the rug burns she obtained. She looked back just as the door shut, cutting out the light and there was a click as the door was locked from the outside. she couldn't escape. The girl jumped up and ran to the door, pounding her fists and screaming to be let out.

"I swear to you!" Her mother yelled. "You are never going to leave this house EVER AGAIN!"

"That attic... god do I fucking hate that attic. It was either cold as hell or way too damn hot because it had no insulation. It had a sink though, don't ask me why. There was nothing to sleep on in that room, so I just made a bed out of whatever I could find and slept on the floor. As for food well... I had to work for it or I wasn't fed." She shrugged. "Some days I would just have to be real good and quiet. Other days I would do chores. Sometimes I would just have to recite what she wanted me to... there were thousands of them and I hated each and every fucking one. I... learned though never to pass up a meal. Even for freedom."

Nearly eleven, blue eyes watched the swinging bulb on the ceiling, holding her breath. when she heard the steps though... she sprung to her feet and perched herself at the foot of the stairs. Today was the day. She had to run for it!

The door cracked open and she could hear her mother call. "Aqua-" And just like one called for a Pokemon, the small girl was up and running like a bullet, pulling her full weight against the door. Adrielle gave a cry and their was a crash, her dinner - soup - spilling all over the carpet.

Aqua got a glimpse of the hallway and the staircase leading to the first floor - she was free! - and started to run, when she felt something grab her ankle and she pitched forward with a cry, hitting the ground hard.

Dazed and winded she blinked at nothing for a few moments - but a sudden hand in her hair, yanking her to her feet, had her crying out in pain. "Get up!" Adrielle grabbed in fury. "Get up!!"

Aqua winced and twisted around, trying to fight the other as she was forced to stand. Tears welled in the corner of her eyes at the pain as she was forced to walk the few measly feet to where the shattered bowl was.

"And you were doing so well today too." Adirelle hissed before yanked her daughter down and smashed her face into the wet carpet. "Eat it!"
Aqua started to cry - the liquid was still blazing hot, and started to scratch at her mother's arm that still had her hair in a tight grip. "Stop! Stop!!" Tears fell from her eyes. "I HATE YOU!"

"Oh you do, do you?" Aqua yelped as she was yanked up again before being thrown into the attic, door locked once more. "Then I guess tomorrow we'll have to make sure to to have you tell me how much you love mommy all day huh?!"
Aqua just laid on the stairs, listening to the retreating footsteps and she curled up and started to cry.

Aqua's eyes were shut tight, grinding her teeth some. "She didn't mean it of course." She said to the shell-shocked group. It was hard for all of them to grasp. Roxas, Ventus and Sora had all had Bryna. Riku had Carina. Axel had Sera. And Terra had Ida. all of them had had very loving prominent mother figures in their lives... imagining something different was difficult.

"Of course I left the fucking house. We had to keep up appearances, everyone knew who I was - Adrielle couldn't just suddenly NOT have a daughter. It was of course only under HER terms that I could ever leave. Keep my mouth shut, wear a fucking dress, don't get in the way, don't interact with any people or Pokemon or else. I didn't know what she meant by that, but I was too scared and fucking stupid to find out. I didn't realize that maybe, just maybe if I acted put in public... I might of gotten saved. I lived too sheltered a life to have ever heard of... kids being abused or trapped by their own parents to know what to do."

She opened her eyes, the blue orbs blazing with still fresh fury. "Of course, in order to keep my public appearance to a minimum she started spreading this... story about me. How after my dad's death I became unruly. Unstable. Insane. That I couldn't act well in groups and had to be taken out of school. That I was trying to hurt myself. Shit like that - and my mom had such a good fucking public rating everyone fucking believed her. I lost all my friends... hardly anyone from her work came to visit anymore because I would start screaming up in the attic... and even less often would anyone talk to me or even notice I was there. I was just... a nobody, worthless to them because apparently I was crazy."

She looked away, blinking a few times. She scowled, hate practically wafting off of her. "I felt... alone and abandoned... betrayed... and pissed off as fucking hell. I hated everyone. How could they not realize what the hell was happening?"

Aqua sighed, trying to loosen the tension in her body that these memories always seemed to create. "Well... just when I started to believe I really WAS going fucking insane... something amazing happened. On one of our rare 'outings' we were walking past the library. It was always a crowded area - good for publicity. There's a fountain out in front and while my mom stopped to converse with someone by the front doors... I wandered over to it." She swallowed, but smiled. "Something was inside. Something shiny and gold." She chuckled softly. "An Eevee coin. I couldn't believe I had found it... and when it pulled it out and held it up, so many people all around had seen... there was no way my mother could get rid of it. People started to say, maybe it would be good for my health to have a Pokemon. For once, without knowing it, I had trapped my mom. Fuck I was so happy I was crying when another week later I had her. My first Pokemon, finally."

She sighed thought. "Unfortunately... it didn't make life an easier. In fact... it made it ten times worse. I not only had to feed her on my own I also had to keep her from getting killed by Adrielle and having her blame it on me. But I did it. Like hell was I going to lose her - my one chance of hope. Eevee didn't like the situation any better then I did... but together... I guess it wasn't so bad."

She sighed then. "And then about three months after my twelfth birthday... something else happened that I thought would never..."

"Hello, I'm Elena." Came the chipper and loud voice.
"Elena?"
"Yes, I'm a distant cousin of Ronan's."
"...My dear Ronan's?!"
"Ah yes... I heard he passed away, I am really quite sorry."
"Oh my dear, come in come in! We have a lot of catching up to do! Aqua, come down here and make up something to drink!"

Aqua's eyes narrowed from where she was polishing the stairwell railing. She grabbed her rag and started to walk down the stairs, her dress bouncing annoyingly with her. Behind her, Eevee hopped after, making little noise. Adrielle had a 'out of sound, out of mind' rule.

That was when she saw her, Elena,... and instantly fell in love with her. The woman was something spectacular to Aqua. She had browns eyes and short blonde, cut so short it was 'boyish' to her mother's eyes. And her body stance was that of a boy, slouched and lazy. But what stood out the most... was the suit she was wearing. Almost like a tuxedo - tie and all!

Elena spotted her a smiled easily. "Well hello there."
Aqua's cheeks went bright red. "H-H-H..." She tried to say and failed.
"Oh don't mind her, she's a bit troubled." Adrielle stepped in. Aqua scowled at her mother's back. How dare she embaress her in front of this... this goddess!
"Oh?" Elena question but looked past Adrielle to Aqua, winking and giggled when Aqua's face went red once more.
"Aqua, the drinks! Elena, come to the family room please."

Aqua frowned some but quickly hurried away, she still had to feed Eevee. Teh minute they were out of sight she started to giggle and she picked up Eevee, twirling them in a circle. "Oh Eves! Isn't she something else?!"
"Eee?"
Aqua grinned. "Beautiful, strong, her own person...god what I wouldn't give..." She sighed, leaning against the fridge, cuddling the fox. "She must have it all."

For the rest of the night Adrielle entertained this young woman who was, naturally, lying about who she was. Aqua knew for a fact that her father had no cousins and certainly none of that age. But she didn't care. Elena was all that was important. So Aqua endured all the harsh comments about herself, because each time her mother was mean. Elena would wink at her or smile and make her blush and giggle... and happy. Any time they accidentally brushed fingertips passing plates or glasses to be filled or taken away, it was electrifying. Elena was her first crush.

And Adrielle, the perfect host, quickly offered Elena a room - which was taken with much gratitude while Aqua was shuffled into her attic when the blonde wasn't looking. for once, the blue-haired girl didn't fight. Instead she stayed up with Eevee, quickly and laughing over the possibilities of running away with Elena, starting her journey and a new life. She fell asleep with a smile on her face...

And awoke to her door being opened. It was hard to miss, with how it creaked. The room was dark, the moonlight the only thing illuminating it.
"Ah, damn!" Came the hiss.
Aqua stirred in confusion, sitting up, while her Eevee got to her feet, growling some. "Who... Whose there?" Aqua called. Adrielle never opened the door this late at night.
Footsteps came up the stairs and Aqua suddenly grabbed Eevee pulling her against her chest protectively... as Elena came into view.
"E-Elena...?" Stuttered Aqua. She could hardly believe her eyes. Were her dreams coming true? Were they really going to run off together?!
"Mmm... you don't seem very crazy to me. Guess I don't need this." Elena said as she waved her arm. Aqua caught a glint of metal in the moonlight that made her heart freeze. A gun. Thankfully, the woman placed it away in her pocket. "I knew something was fucked up about this family." She looked around. "You live in here?"
"Veee...."
"Yes..." Aqua whispered.
"Mmm... Well I WAS coming up here to kill you and take your little Eevee." Elena... was no longer as beautiful in the dark as she had been at dinner.
"W-what?"
"Don't take it personally darling, you're adorable really. It was just orders. Though I don't know WHY we need another worthless fox." Elena tilted her head some, as if thinking. "But hey, I think I discovered a way for it to work out for both of us." She smiled in that seductive cunning way that could fool anyone. "... Wanna come with me?"

Aqua's eyes widened. "...Go where?"
"Back to my base sweetheart. Come on now, how dim are you?"
"I'm not dim! I just... I don't know what the fuck you're talking about!!"
"Vee! Eeevee!!"
Elena raised her hands defensively. "Okay, Okay shhh calm down now." She chuckled. "Bit of a firecracker aren't ya? I like that. You've got a good spark... we could make use of you."
"...Who?" Aqua hissed, trying to be quiet.
"Why, Team Rocket of course!"
"....Huh?"
"The greatest organization in the world honey. You can have whatever you want if you join! Jewels. Pokemon. Clothes. Whatever! You just have to do what they tell you, and you can get anything you want back."
Aqua stared at her quietly. Anything... anything she wanted? She could... dress like Elena? She could travel? She could keep Eevee? And all she had to do was do what she did now?
"What do you say?" Elena asked holding out her hand. "Coming?"

"....How couldn't I say yes?" Aqua said softly. "I had no idea what the hell I was getting myself into, and once I was in it was too late to change my mind. But at first... really it wasn't bad at all. I was free. On my own. And I had Eevee. At the time... that was all I wanted." She swallowed. "The first lone few missions were nothing really. It gave me plenty of time to go and level Eevee up so she could evolve. I got to explore towns. Buy the clothes I wanted, wear my hair however I wanted and eat as much as I could stuff my face with. Really it was paradise..."

She frowned. "And then it just got... it got harder once I had a partner. They demanded more, gave you less... I was getting trapped all over again but this time, the whole fucking world was my attic. And I just... it took me forever to see that." She chuckled bitterly. "And... in the end it was Elena who betrayed us back there in the forest. So... same old story... over and over and over again. Fucking idiot." She hissed to herself.

She looked away and didn't speak again. Her story was done.

[Rikugurl]

Everyone fell silent as they listened to Aqua's stories. Axel had picked it up quickly. It was like...something from a fairytale...only...this one didn't have a happy ending.
Wait! What was he saying? It wasn't over yet!
He remembered that day...when Aqua had told him that there was someone out there... and that he was going to help her find this person and make things right.

He was just happy that...the blue haired girl still had a place in her heart to love. He sighed though, feeling bad about it all. He thought he had it rough because he didn't have any parents and he had a long, lost brother... but at least his aunt was always there and became like a mother. Aqua didn't have anyone...


Riku was silent as well, though that was normal for him. He was even more so now, his breathing even more shallow than usual. No one should be treated like that. He couldn't imagine... not having a caring mother. His had gone across the whole world to make him happy.


Ven had to looked away too, sighing softly. Aqua had told him that his her mom was a bitch and wouldn't let her out of the house. That an Elite got her out and here she was. She never... went into detail and he never pushed it because at the time he never cared. "Jeez, you make it sound like I ruined everything." He crossed his arms but sighed. "We'll have to stop at your old place and kick your mom's ass!"


The rest of the day went by, everyone sharing some of their deepest and darkest secrets. Like Terra and his fear for heights and water, telling stories about his horrible father. Then there was some rescue stories that had scared Axel ever since. Sora and Roxas had their small share, Roxas's mostly about turning around and going home. Some shocked the group while others were more understandable.

What they weren't expecting was something that Ven had stated. Something that made everyone's jaw drop, even Riku's....and of course, 'Gary's'.
"Yea well," The blonde continued. "I'm not a virgin anymore."
That was the statement.
He smiled proudly bit blinked, seeing everyone's eyes on his, even Terra. "W-WHAT!? DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!"

[Reno]

"Oh Aqua..." Sora said softly, his eyes sad for the woman. She didn't react to his call, her eyes remaining far away, no doubt trying to distance herself from her feelings.

Though he believed strongly in the good everyone, it wasn't hard to see how evil some could be. But to have someone so close hurt you so much... he could see now why Aqua was so distant and angry and mistrustful all the time. No wonder she tried her best NOT to make others like her... and was surprised when someone like him or Axel so easily offered a kind gesture or spared some nice words and care for her.

No doubt she had stayed in Team Rocket for so long because she probably thought what she did to other people was what they rightfully deserved after not seeing her, in pain and alone, for so long.

Roxas couldn't look at Aqua, knowing that if he did he would no longer be able to conjure up that anger and hate he had had for her since he laid eyes on that big red R. Instead he just stared at the blue skin of the whale feeling... ashamed. Of himself. If he had been in that situation... god damn it all he would of done the same thing.

But he didn't have to worry about that. In his life things had always been good. His mother loved him and his brothers equally and gave them all special attention when needed - his dad never punished them without reason and always, always, always made time for them. He had siblings who understood him better than himself at times, and though he got lost a lot he never really went hungry and always was able to find his way. In fact it was his family who had encouraged him to start his Pokemon journey... he couldn't imagine having that ambition... and being so cruelly taken away.

Terra was also silent, looking at the blue-haired woman... and in his eyes was a spark of clear understanding. Unlike probably anyone else he, he was the only other one who knew what it was like... to have a neglectful and oftentimes abusive parent.... while the other one just shied back while it was happening.

Aqua was just quiet as the others around her were, not really wanting to say anything more. However,... it was Ven's comment that made her glance over in surprise, recognizing the last statement.
"I'm going to....KICK that Manectric if I ever bump into it!"
Did he... really care about her... as much as he did for his siblings? Did he really mean that...?
Aqua smiled faintly. "Thanks Ven."


After those two stories, filled with so much physical and emotional pain, it was easy for the others to open up and talk. There was nothing anyone couldn't say any longer.

Terra, for example, seemed to have no trouble talking about his secret fears or of his father. In fact... he and Aqua seemed to connect better than ever, now knowing they had something in common. It was no wonder the brunette believed that he and Aqua... could be really good friends. He also admitted it was Ven himself... who was helping him get over those fears.

Aqua and Ven meanwhile told the others about some missions they had been on. The ones that traumatized them and the ones that, horrifyingly enough, they had enjoyed. The blue-haired woman seemed a little more at ease while talking, and even smiled more. For once in her life... she felt accepted.

Roxas blushingly told his many stories of how often he wanted to turn back. He spoke of the song he had heard on the ocean waters - of Lugia. He admitted to his love of music and how he really wanted to sing in life... and his desire to become a rescuer like Axel - not just because the red-head was but simply because he knew... he wanted to continue to make a difference in Pokemon's lives like he had with Absol. And his brothers knew that once this mission was over, Roxas was hanging up his trainer's belt once and for all.

Riku and Axel shared their stories as well. Axel of rescues that had gone wrong or accounts that were so horrifying it turned several of the other's faces green. In contrast, Riku filled a lot of them with wonder as he explained how it was and felt like to speak to a Pokemon through it's mind and how often it had helped him out when he was in trouble.

Sora, smiling most of the time, had his own little accounts. He told them of Furret, more detailed then he ever had before - surprisingly Riku, Terra and Aqua who had not known - and how scared he had been, and how guilty he had felt and how even today whenever he was in Sinnoh he went out of his way to visit her grave sight. He told them about how hard Luxray had been to train after he had evolved completely - how the lion had gone rouge for quite some time and wasn't beyond attacking him or one of his other Pokemon. It had taken him nearly a year to tame the large beast. He told them of how Honeytail got her nickname - that when he had first caught her as a Stunky she was highly aware of her smell when she sprayed and how trainers and people in general always ran from her so she started to steal bottles of honey because it 'smelt good' and get it all of her fur and tail.

So all in all there were lots of tears and laughs.

But nothing beat the shock and surprise they felt when Ven admitted what he did.

"I'm not a virgin anymore."

Everyone's heads jerked to face the blonde, jaws dropping and eyes wide. Except for Terra who just stared until the blonde burst into a yell.

Aqua slowly grinned and lent forward. "How was it?"

Terra's cheeks suddenly tinted pink and he wrapped his arms around Ven, growling. "That's fucking personal!"
"Oh I see!" Aqua burst into laughter, seeing as the brunette had just outed himself as well. "So THAT'S what you two were doing last night!!"
"S-Shut up!"

The eldest brother pouted and whined, "Ah man! I haven't even had my first KISS yet!" Ven got everything!
"W-Wait!" Roxas burst in, blushing. "How is that even possible?! Guy's can't... can they?!"
"God damn, you Holanis need to pick up a book once and awhile!" Terra scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Hey, I know how it works!" Sora yelled loudly in his defense, making heads all turn towards him, jaws dropping once more. Mortified, the brunette hid his face in his hands and squeaked.

Aqua started laughing so hard she fell over, holding her sides, tears in her eyes. Man this was great!!

[Rikugurl]

Ven's eyes darkened as Aqua leaned in. "Well..." He started, grinning as well.

The room was still dark though the moon shown down, illuminating the two figures. "AAAH!! AAAAAH!!" The blonde cried as tears formed at the corner of his eyes as his ankles were almost touching his ears. His dark blue eyes looked up into those of the brunette above him as he was thrust into again. "AAAAAH!! TE---"

Ven's eyes widened as Terra wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close, only making him slap his forehead. "Nice going, idiot!"

Axel couldn't help the blush that was in his cheeks. So...it...WAS true. It WAS possible. He swallowed and looked away as Roxas asked the question, feeling as stupid as he was. It was only just a myth until now!

Riku on the other hand shifted as they continued to drift through the ocean. However, he stopped everyone's sudden emotions when he pointed out towards a direction.
"Look."
Everyone stopped and did so, looking over at the dark purple sky as the sun was setting to their left.

In the distance, a large tower pressed against the background. It wasn't sight of hope...but one that chilled the very souls of the group.
Sky Pillar.

[Reno]

Everyone, flushed for various reasons from anger to embarrassment, slowly turned at Riku's soft voice. Smiles fell, laughter stopped, the red cheeks slowly faded and where replaced by white, pale parlors.

Aqua slowly sat up, her face much more serious. "That's it..." She said as she looked at the large obstruction that seemed to touch the sky, her voice cutting into everyone as much as the sight itself was. Her eyes shut and she bowed her head. This... could be it.

Terra's arms tightened a little around the blonde, turning his face down to see Ven's their blue eyes meeting. Would this be the last time... they ever held each other like this? Would this be the last time... they smiled and laughter, got angry? He lent down, his lips meeting Ven's.

Roxas swallowed, feeling his heart jumping up into his throat. His hand fell, finding Axel's quickly. His fingers curled around the red-head's, squeezing hard. "Axel..." The blonde whispered softly, frightened as he looked up at the other. Would... this be the last time they say each other? He reached up, wrapping his arms around the other, embracing him tightly.

Sora looked at the tower silently, his eyes narrowed some. He breathed out slowly, and turned to look at the others, blinking in surprise. He sighed waiting for Terra and Ven to stop kissing and Roxas and Axel to stop hugging.

...They didn't seem like they wanted to stop anytime soon. "GUYS!" Everyone jumped and glanced at the brunette. He smiled at them all. "Are you guys going to stop acting like this," He jabbed his thumb back towards Sky Pillar, "Like its the end of the world?"

"Come on Sora, the likelihood we'll make it outta there..." Aqua just shook her head and laughed, as if the statistic was so puny it wasn't worth mentioning.

"So isn't that even more of a reason to fight harder? To fight for not only the Pokemon stolen... but our own futures?" Sora smiled, looking around the circle. "Come on guys... didn't we all just spend the last few hours - no the last whole week - sharing some of the most difficult times in our lives? If that's so, then we're definitely all strong enough to get through this!"

He glanced towards the male next to him, smiling. "Right Ri?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven frowned as he saw the pillar. He had seen it many times when they had to go and report. When they brought back stolen Pokemon and their fingers were crossed that they would get a promotion so they didn't have to steal or scrounge for food anymore...and maybe get some better Pokemon.

His eyes narrowed, more pissed off and burning for revenge than what the brunette was thinking next to him. He slowly looked up, his blue eyes meeting the other's and....his anger washed away as he saw the fear in Terra's eyes.
Heh...what a....big baby....
His eyes closed as their lips met, kissing back softly.


Axel swallowed as he looked at the black wall of death as it reached for the sky. His green eyes darted, looking all over at it but no signs of glowing...no signs of fire. No signs of....Moltres. Was she...really in there? Did they....really kill her....or transport her somewhere or... locked her down in a dungeon?
He couldn't...stand the thought of it....

He shook his head, bringing himself out of a downward spiral of depression as he felt warmth. He looked over at Roxas, hearing him name and smiled softly. He wasn't expecting what happened next though as he felt warm arms wrap around his neck. He could only smile more as he wrapped his own arms around the blonde's waist, holding him back tightly. "It's going to be ok, Roxas..." He whispered softly, nuzzling the soft blonde hair that had been recently washed.

However, everyone jumped when they heard Sora and looked over. Ven frowned as his kiss was interrupted as sad green eyes looked towards Aqua. If anyone knew better, it would of been the ex-rocke---

"Right." A strong, single word made everyone look over at the hooded teen. He wasn't scared....?

Riku looked back at the pillar and nodded, shifting a bit on the blubbery skin. "We should reach it by tomorrow's dawn."

[Reno]

Sora grinned. He knew he could count on him!!

Everyone sighed some and a few nodded. Aqua's eyes narrowed her eyes like blue ice shards. "Good, morning will be the perfect time for attack and infiltration." She glanced around.

Roxas looked towards the tower once more. It seemed so far from this distance... but that probably meant it was huge in reality. "But how will we find them?"

Aqua smirked a bit, nodding to Ven. "On our missions we always used Haunter to help guide us. We'll just have him go inside and hopefully he'll be able to locate all four and tell us where. After that all some of us will need to create a big distraction and the rest will go inside, collect the Pokemon and get out." Maybe more... if it was possible.

Everyone nodded somewhat to that but them Roxas realized something that didn't quite add up. "Wait four? There were only three."
Aqua shook her head, "No... there were four. They took once from me and Ven too." The blonde rolled his eyes, as he started to say something about that stupid purple Lapras but Aqua rolled her eyes. "Not THAT one... the Skitty... she was in our things when they got taken off the bike."

Of course that conversation got the others asking and Ven and Aqua explained about their 'extra baggage'. Terra seemed to find it hilarious. "So that was why she jumped onto your lap in that restaurant!"

As the sun left under the horizon the others still talked, Sora saying all the things they'd all do together in the future once they were done here ("I'll have to make you play DDR one of these days Riku!"), Axel and Roxas constantly reassuring one another that everything was going to be okay ("Don't worry Axel... we'll get her outta there.", Terra and Ven were being well... themseleves ("How can you say I'm scared?! I wasn't the one freaking out last night over a blo- mmmpgh!" ) and Aqua was just being her normal scathing self ("Buncha girls").

They all scrounged around for some food - finding chips and little snacks in their bags to eat but it was far from filling. they sighed and settled for it, knowing they wouldn't have a chance to eat again for quite awhile. Afterwards it was agreed they should at least TRY to get some sleep - even though everyone knew no one would actually sleep.

Terra and Ven were merely looking at the stars, the blonde holding the Sandgem from his chest and watching the light catch in the crystal.
Axel and Roxas were cuddling close to one another, murmuring some things every now and again.
Aqua was keeping lookout.

Sora sighed some as he turned on his side, looking towards Riku. "Ri... pssst Ri!" The other shifted and turned some, showing he was listening. "I had a question for you too." He whispered softly, trying to keep it low so the others wouldn't hear. The silverette inclined his head, motioning for the other to go on.

"L-Last night... in the hotel..." Sora started to blush darkly and he took a deep breath and said as softly as possible. "You... you said my name in your sleep... what were you dreaming about?"

[Rikugurl]

The blonde gave out a shaky sigh as he looked through the gem, seeing all the stars shining in it like a weird kaleidoscope that made it feel like it had the whole universe in it. Terra, had given him the whole...

Man, that's fucking gay.

The shook his head as his blue eyes slowly looked over at the brunette looking up at the heavens as well. "H-hey....so....what do you think you're mom will say when she finds out you gave this to another boy?"


"How about Borvo, Edana and Talbot?" Axel whispered as he cuddled close to Roxas. "I know Borvo is a guy name but it would be perfect for the shiny Vulpix....because it means shining fire. Maybe...Borva?"


Riku sighed softly before yawning, his ocean eyes slowly lidding as his hood was off for awhile. He knew he would have to throw it over again before the sun showed its rays.

He felt Sora shift nearby and slowly leaned back but knew he would have to turn over to face the other to understand him.
When he did, he nodded for Sora to continue...but he wasn't expecting the question.

Did I....really say his name....in my sleep?

His cheeks reddened slightly on his pale skin but he smiled. "I had a dream that you and I were... having fun together and... I was showing you around Mirage Island. I've never had a human friend before...so....I really....liked it."

[Reno]

Terra turned his head as he heard the other beside him, raising an eyebrow curiously. He smiled some at the question though. "Mmm... I know my mom will love me no matter what. So, I think... she'll be happy for me. Us." He chuckled. "I can't wait for you to meet her." He turned his head back towards the sky. "What about yours? What will your parents say?"


Roxas chuckled some as Axel's names. "I like Edana... Borva is nice too." He said, tilting his head. "But Talbot? Why not..." He frowned. "Ummm...."


Sora blinked as the other explained his dream and then smiled as well. "I would of loved to see it with you Ri..." He chuckled some. "What was it like? The Mirage Island I mean."

[Rikugurl]

Ven nodded and smiled as he continued to watch the 'caught' stars in the gem. "Heh, my dad would be really fucking pissed. He's real conservative and doesn't like anything out of the box. He's been a blue collar worker ever since we were born and beyond." He frowned, his eyes growing dark as he could just see his dad carrying on and throwing out words that never bothered him before until now.

The blues became lighter as he thought of his other parent though. "But my mom, I could be with a Slaking if I wanted to. She'd be a little worried and freaked out but she'd support our love." He looked up at Terra with a grin. "Heh, not saying that you're anything better than a Slaking~"


Axel laughed softly as he heard the other. "Alright~ You pick his then. Or, we can be real simple and call them Vulpix 1, Vulpix 2 and Absol 2." He chuckled more as he cuddled closer to Roxas, feeling the ocean breeze around them as the whale continued to swim at a slow pace.


Riku smiled softly, his eyes looking out, far beyond Sora. "I was really young but...I remember that it was....really sunny and...the sand was so warm between my toes. The Wynaut were friendly too...and they would play with me and my mom. I really miss it... but I know getting back there would be dangerous with those whirlwinds..."

[Reno]

Terra nodded some hearing about the others dad. Made him wonder what the fuck Hatori was going to do...

Probably kick both their asses. Great...

He looked over though when he heard Ven, raising an eyebrow and smirking. "Oh really?! In that case..." He rolled over on top of the other, smirking as he laid his head on the other's chest. "Mmm, I guess I can just nap anywhere eh?"


Roxas chuckled softly. "Please we're a little more creative than that I hope."


Sora blinked curiously as the other's gaze got far away, obviously remembering life on the island. It sounded so beautiful... he wished he could of seen it. He smiled faintly and reached up tugging at a strand of silver hair so the other would look back down at him. "Hey you never know... you might see it again one day."

He blinked before blushing some, realizing he was still holding onto the strand of hair and... their faces were pretty close. He chuckled moving the strand behind the other's ear before moving away a little. "Ri... when we leave here... where are you going to go next?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven sighed more but flailed as something heavy sudden ROLLED over on him. Did a random Miltank jump out of the ocea---oh, it was just Terra. He grinned down at the other, letting the sand gem fall back down onto his chest as his hands reached to both sides of Terra's head, his pale fingers curling around the other's soft hair.

"Don't you already~~?" He teased before pulling on the hairs gently, bringing Terra closer until their lips met. He pressed them together gently before he opened his mouth, a tongue sweeping over Terra's lips slowly.


The silverette continued to hold his soft smile as his ocean eyes looked out into the sky blue, almost looking charmed...and....happy. He smiled more, a soft breath escaping his lips as Sora asked his next question, this one being harder to answer. His eyes looked away as he thought

"I....really don't know. I'd....like to find Darkrai again...and thank her but... I think she only wants to be seen when she wants to...so....I think I'll go back to Lavender Town...and bring my mom back here to Mt Pyre...so she....can find some closure too..."
He slowly looked back at Sora with that soft smile again. "My mom went all over the world to make me happy... I want to bring her back around the world for her to find peace."


More little words were spoken before seven sets of eyelids closed for the night, oddly, the whale's breathing and heartbeat put some to sleep. However, their dream were not happy for in the back of their minds, they all knew the tower was getting closer and closer by the second.

It wasn't until dawn the next day that six pairs of blue eyes and one set of green were looking up at the rock-like pillar that stretched out towards the sky....right in front of them. Gary and Wailord had landed on the outskirts, knowing that this was where the humans wanted to go thanks to the one that knew their language.

It was Riku, Aqua and Sora who were the first to step off of their haven, onto the sandy, unforgiving rocks below the pillar. If anyone had dared to come this close, they could see how it had changed to to the obvious new steel doors, tents and smaller buildings around it, all with lovely red letter 'R' on them.

Ven was next to step off, coming to Aqua side as he looked all the way up at the tower, knowing that their boss was on one of those floors. "Well... no turning back now."

[Reno]

"Mmmm..." Terra just hummed in response as he tilted his head and opened his mouth, allowing the other in, the gentle and slow. He ran his fingers through blonde hair and when they pulled away he placed their forehead together, smiling. "I love you..." He murmured softly.


Sora nodded in understanding. "Yeah... That would be good for both of you." He looked up at the other. "And you know... you'll see her one day I'm sure of it."

Come on Sora... just say it. Say 'Can I come with you?' But isn't that too intrusive? I mean sure we're friends but Riku likes to be alone and- Riku suddenly broke into his thoughts, mumbling something about going to bed. "O-Oh? ....Yeah I guess so huh..." He curled up some more. "Night Ri..."

Coward, coward, coward!!!


By the time morning came everyone was about as rested as they had been the first day of their travels. Meaning, hardly at all.

Aqua sighed as she walked off the large whale, easily jumping down to the rocky outcropping. She took a few steps inward and behind her heard two pairs of feet also jumping down behind her.

Riku and Sora came to the bluette's side, looking expressionlessly towards the steel doors. Sora sighed slowly, before smiling some. They'd get out of this... the had to.

Aqua scoffed some in disgust. If she saw Elena... she was going to rip her head off. She glanced beside her as Ven stopped next to her and smirked. "Who would want too?"

Terra jumped down next walking over as well. He crossed his arms and scoffed even as he tilted his head back, noticing how tall the building was. Three guesses on who was going to have to fly up there. "Doesn't look that scary."

Roxas hesitated from where they had to jump, sucking in a breath as he looked at the dark tower, throwing shadows in the still rising light. Why... did he have such a bad feeling about this? He blinked as there was suddenly a hand in front of him as if asking him to take it and he tilted his head, looking at the tall, thin teen beside him.. The other's green eyes were sharp and determined. And then... Axel smiled.

The blonde smiled back. Okay... he was right. Everything was going to be fine. He reached up, slowly taking Axel's hand in his and nodded. "Let's do this!" The two, together, jumping onto the rocky outcropping and walked up beside the other five.

[Rikugurl]

Axel slowly walked off the whale, but when he didn't hear any footsteps behind him, he looked back, seeing Roxas's face pale. He could only lean back a bit and have his hand in the other's face to snap him out of his gaze. "Roxas?" When the blue eyes met his green, he could only smile and hold out his hand.

The two joined the five and like everyone else did, Axel looked up and sized the tower. He was...kind of shocked that there weren't any members out on patrol...or maybe it was just too early.

The narrow eyes looked around, seeing the determine faces and none looking scared. It seemed like it was too late to be scared.

"Well...it would of been easier to get inside if you two still had your member outfits." The redhead broke the silence.
"It wouldn't of mattered." Ven frowned as he crossed his arms. "They would already know that we were no longer members. Our boss was real good about that... Communication was the key for him...that's probably why he's in second rank next to Giovanni..."

He frowned more as he looked at the tower, never guessing that he would ever look at it the way he was doing now. He glanced up at Aqua huffed. "So, smart ass, got any ideas?"

[Reno]

Aqua huffed some at the 'smart ass' comment, placing her hands on her hips. Her eyes studied the tower very carefully before nodding. "Well, if I recall correctly, stolen Pokemon are categorized by value." She tilted her head back. "We'll need Haunter to confirm of course. But Moltres is, most likely, very high up on the pillar and more guarded - making her harder to steal both outside and inside of the company." That was of course, meaning, any possible traitors and undercover ranger agents. "The other three will be on the lower levels."

"So," Terra jumped in easily. "Flygon can carry two. Me and someone else can easily get up there and get Moltres out."

"And Arcy can jump that high." Sora said, looking at the first window that Was above the door. That meant she'd have to jump to the second story. "I know she'll be able to do it with two... but not three." That would leave them a bit short, but since Sora trained in speed it might not be too bad.

Aqua nodded slowly. So that meant four would definitely be going inside... but they still needed a distraction. Slowly she turned towards Ven and started to grin evilly. "Well like I said... we're going to NEED a distraction..."

Ven, before he even had a CHANCE to stop her, yelped as he was yanked by his collar and dragged towards the nearest large rock for which they could hide behind. "You five get outta sight and start figuring out who is going in and who is staying out!"


Ten minutes later, the five were sitting by another rock, speaking quietly to each other while - across the way they could hear Ven growling out explicatives and the like.

Sora was drawing on the ground with a stick. He made a mini version of the building and then pointed an arrow, one towards the top, then one closer to the ground. "Well, the way I see it, once the distraction starts it's going to become war outside while we slip in mostly unnoticed inside. If Ri stays out here he can help Aqua and Ven." Who were of course obviously going to be making a distraction. A BIG one hopefully. He glanced at the hooded silverette next to him. "It might not work so effectively, but maybe you can speak to some of the Pokemon - calm them down some?" They might want to consider leaving some of their Pokemon with the two ex-rockets...

He glanced away. "Arc will probably have to cover more ground so... me and Axel could infiltrate the bottom levels. With a lot of fire power we can seal doors and stuff." He glanced at Terra and Roxas. "So that leaves you two up on the top levels."

"I do-" Roxas started to say but his voice fizzled out and his eyes widened at something right over Sora's shoulder. He snorted, grinning suddenly.
Everyone blinked at his reaction, then looked in that direction... and had to struggle not to laugh as well.
"Tahdah~" Aqua said with a flourish, grinning beside a sour-looking Ven.
"What in the world did you do to my boyfriend?!"

They were quite a sight, actually. Aqua had a Sherpa cap on her head, a dark blue and atop her head were large triangular ice blue ears. Around her waist, fanning out behind her was a flourishing, rhombus-shaped tail also blue. Her gloves were now more 'paw-like' and dark blue.

She looked... like Glaceon.

And beside her... Ven was like Skitty. Pink, fluffy cat ears were on the top of her head and a puffball of a pink tail was swishing behind him each time he walked. He also had gloves on - pink and cream colored.