|
|
Post by Reno on Mar 15, 2009 0:37:44 GMT -5
Houndoom whimpered as he walked over, smelling the tangy and metallic scent in the air. It was so foul it made his tongue curl. It was always like this when the humans brought out that noisemaker... something always died!
He lowered his head, whimpering as he nudged the kitten with his nose. The head tilted up but as he moved away, it just rolled limply back into place. There was no utter of noise from the other... not even a twitch of muscles. Even when Ven started to speak to her... she did nothing.
No...
The devil dog sat down and pulled back his head, howling to the sky. Unlike any other howl, this had nothing fearful in its tremor... no instead the notes had been replaced by something beautiful but sad... like an artist who wrote his best piece right after his greatest personal tragedy.
In the hole, Jolteon was shaking all over as he heard the first gunshot and, moments later, Houndoom's howl. His spikes stood up and he threw his head back, crying as well. Someone had died. Just like her friend Furret... why were people so cruel?
Roxas breathed hard his heart racing in panic as those sadistic, wicked green eyes stared back at him. How could he ever compare those to Axel's? They were nothing alike. "Nn-ah!" He hissed as the barrel came back and forced his head away. God damn it... he couldn't keep watching Pokemon DIE in front of him.
But the one who came to his rescue... was Axel. His eyes opened slowly, looking towards the red-head who had to plead with his own brother... not to kill him. He shook against Reno, afraid the red-head would be so spiteful towards the red-head he would just do the opposite of whatever he said.
But to his shock... and relief, he felt the arm loosen some on his body before tightened suddenly pushed him away. He made a noise of surprise stumbling a little wincing at the pain it caused his hurt foot. That was... that was it? Everything... was okay now?
He slowly looked towards Axel's face, seeing the other's smile and open arms - to safety and love - and relief spread through him like wildfire, warming his whole body. He smiled shakily back and started to hurry forward, knowing no greater joy than Axel's arms.
But like a storm suddenly overcasting a sunny day in mere minutes, darkness reared back up over them. All he saw was Sora's face, just over Axel's shoulder, turning from eased and happy to frozen terror. He saw his brother's mouth opening he heard a scream - he wasn't sure the words, it was all just noise - before the lightning struck.
It didn't hurt at first. At first it was like something had gotten behind him and punched him really hard in the back, making his chest arch forward and neck and legs snap back beyond his control. His vision even went pure white for a few seconds and all he heard in his ears was buzzing. It was like a needle really. It didn't hurt when it first went in, but after you thought about it, all this pain was suddenly there.
But that pain, didn't match the sight of Axel's broken face he glimpsed as his shaking legs collapsed under him and he start to fall for the ground. He felt his body meet something else - but it was too soft to by the ground. His nerves were shot... he couldn't feel any warmth but he was aware of the arms around him even if he was quite sure how he got there or how he was no longer standing.
What... just happened?
Did he just... get sh-
Roxas squeezed his eyes shut as his body seized up in pain and he started to cough violently, something wet dripping past his lips that was too thick to be saliva. He tried to take a few breathes, but it proved to be a chore, his chest refusing to move very far before that pain slammed into him making him cough some more.
His eyes opened though when he felt a presence close to his own, his vision suddenly filled with heaven. ...Axel...
"Roxas....please....don't...."
Don't....? Don't what?
He looked up at Axel his eyes confused as he breathed more shallowly. That was easier but he still let out these little coughs.
He took in the red head above him, noticed the tears in the fearful eyes, the shaking, the pain and grief written all over the other's face.
Oh.........
He was... dying, wasn't he?
Maybe it was just that realization but suddenly the pain was ten times worse, stopping his breath while his heart raced. His eyes shut and he let out this keening wail of agony, body arching... before slumping back into Axel's arms. Faintly he heard something dripping just underneath him.
God... he must be losing so much blood...
He panted and coughed, trying to get more air into him, but his lungs were slowly start to refuse to do an act that should of been entirely natural.
"Ax...." The blonde gasped out as he turned his head limply to look up at the red-head again. "Ax...el... I need..." He coughed again more blood slipping down his chin. But he had to do this. He... he couldn't die.... without saying this. "Need to... tell you... something..."
He took a few deep breathes, ignoring everything or anything the red-head might of said between that before he slowly raised his hand, brushing the backs of his hand sloppily along the other's cheek. "I-I.... I l-love..... love yo-you.... A-Axel..." His hand fell suddenly having no more energy to keep it up. He didn't even notice where it fell. He sturggled to keep his gaze on the red-head. "Yo....you're... a g-good.... per-person.... Ax....el.... p-please... remember that." He whispered out the last words before his eyes slowly shut and his head fell back. He tried to breath in again... but his lungs refused to work. This... was... it...
Darkness took him.
The minute the shot rang out, Sora jerked back and slammed into Riku... and the silverette had to suddenly dive to catch him as he started to fall. Blue eyes were wide with tears falling, his body shook with pain, his soul tore but his mind wasn't there as it desperately struggled to hold onto it's connection with his youngest twin. The line... getting thinner and thinner... ready to snap...
"No..... Roxas.... nonono...." Whispering the brunette.
Aqua shook her head as tears ran down her face watching Axel as he held onto Roxas, begging him to stay alive, before she turned her face to watch the Turks and their Pokemon running for the helicopter. Her eyes met a blonde's as she looked back just as she jumped in, her face accusing her of everything, screaming 'How could you?'
Elena only looked away.... and the helicopter left.
As they got lowering in the sky... the scene below looking much more heartbreaking. Something was wrong with Roxas and Sora... but where was...
"Ven!!!" Terra called as he got lower and lower in the sky, seeing the blonde laying on the ground. There was something red around him that stood out like a warning flag. His heart clenched up. No... God please no...
He struggled in Moltres grip but she didn't let up until she could place him safely on the ground. He tore from her grasp the second he could, his heart racing as he ran across the hard ground that was scarred, burned and broken from a fierce battle. His knees slammed into the ground but he hardly noticed the pain as he took in the sight of that ugly and broken arm... and the blood. "Ven... babe?" He whispered, scared as he ran his warm fingertips along the other's forehead, looking him over.
He couldn't... couldn't lose Ven...
|
|
|
|
Post by Rikugurl on Mar 15, 2009 20:28:51 GMT -5
The fire bird flapped her wings hard, swooping over to her master before landing behind him...and the dying child. Axel didn't even notice. All he could hear...all he could breath, see, think of was...."Roxas..." He whimpered as the blonde's hand came to his face. His own hand shot up, wrapping his fingers gently around Roxas's hand as he looked into the others eyes. Tears continued to run down his face as he shook.
When Roxas started to speak, he could only shake his head as he came closer. "No....no, don't say anything Roxas. Keep your strength and...."
The emerald eyes closed, his red eyelashes becoming wet as he listened to Roxas's words.
His breathing choked as he heard those three words, shaking more as the blonde's hand fell.
"Roxas...."
His eyes widened in horror and disbelief as Roxas's body became limp.
"Roxas....?" He shook the blonde slightly, panting faster. "I...I love you too.... I---"
"I'm a little worried. Roxas... gets lost a lot, he was never very good with maps."
"Well... I suppose you can always go out to look for him? We wouldn't mind helping.... right, Ninetails?"
"Tails!"
Sora stood between two others throwing peace signs at the camera. One blond, the one on his right, was giving a very obscene gesture with his middle finger (of which he got punished for greatly) and the one on his left was uncannily alike the other on the right. He was looking slightly away from the camera, hiding his eyes behind his hair. "Roxas is the shy one."
"Roxas I'd like you to meet my new friend Axel! He helped me find you - and this is his partner Ninetails!"
"Um... hi?"
"You'll never be my number two..."
"Roxas...." He whispered again as he came down closer, pulling the blonde to his chest as his hand reached out, running through the soft hair and pushing his head up. "I love you...." His eyes closed again as he lowered his head, pressing his lips against the blood soaked ones.
The legendary Pokemon behind them lowered her head, tears running down her own cheeks before wrapping her wings around the two. Her eyes closed and her body started to burn. The flames like those of Ponyta who trust a human to ride her.
They did not burn....they healed.
"S-sora..." Riku pulled the brunette close. Even his strong stand was shaking, not able to believe what was happening right in front of their eyes. He knew...it wouldn't be the same but...he would stand by Sora's side....always.
A blonde shifted, tears running down his face and now...because of something else.
He looked up, seeing Terra close. "ROXAS! WHERE'S ROXAS!?" He cried, his whole body shaking. He was...losing Roxas..... the strings....they were fading. They were....DYING!
Before anyone could move, breath or say another word, the world exploded in fire.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
"SOOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
And encased it with flames.
Shoes walked down the gravel road, the wind blowing through his blonde hair as head phones blasted death metal. The road behind him was clear, obviously a route to another town but he smiled as he looked ahead, seeing a ranch of some sort. He knew it...rather well. He walked passed it, the blue eyes searching for something as his purple cat by his side did the same.
That was when he saw a dark brown haired woman with pale skin....feeding her pack of Mightyena.
"HEY MRS. TELLUS!"
He waved, catching her attention before she waved back happily. "WELCOME BACK!" She called, the wolves looking over and howling before rushing over to the fence, lolling out their tongues as he rubbed all their snouts.
He smiled at them before continuing down the hill, seeing a city coming up.
He walked down the hill, entering it and disregarding the people walking around and giving him...odd looks. He was wearing all punk clothes with band patches everywhere. Even his Espeon had some rockish flare to him.
However, some of the girls knew him right away. They loved watching him on TV.
"VEN!" One cried, waving shyly before he waved back.
Man...he had won every single Cool Contest he entered!
He was headed to a large building, small icons of symbols that symbolized strength.
Jubilife City's new gym.
This was where trainers came to earn the Vitality Badge.
This blonde...wasn't there to win a badge though. He was no trainer.
He walked through the doors though, seeing the sun shine down through a large dome. The sunlight hit a gem around his neck perfectly, making the sandgem glow brightly.
He laughed, seeing the gym leader sitting down at the desk, reading a book and....eating a muffin.
"Hey jackass," He started, catching the man's attention.
"What do you think about these babies?" He grinned, pulling out a case and showing him 8 shiny ribbons. 1st place could be read on all of them.
Before the leader could speak, the blonde reached down into his other, larger bag and pulled up something else. "Oh, and this baby...?" He sounded less happy as he placed a Trapinch on the counter.
"Moana laid an EGG in the middle of one of our performances! What does your Flygon have to say about this one!?"
"Pinch, pinch!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! COME ON, SORA! YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!" A silverette laughed as he caught the Frisbee, a black fox yipping happily as he ran around his master.
The silverette was wearing black swim trunks as his bare feet sunk under the soft, warm sand. His silver hair glistened in the sunlight, giving the pale features a slight tan.
Muscles flexed as he tossed the blue disc through the air, some ocean water kicking up around his legs.
He knew Sora was having a hard time...with his new limp after all. Oddly enough, his leg was healed completely but...it was from something...else.
He laughed and panted as Arcanine caught the disc first, cutting Sora off. "Good girl!" He called, not even noticing the pokemon up on shore next to the berry trees.
"Viper..." The snake smiled as he gently picked a Liechi berry from the tree, placing it in a basket that Skuntank was holding.
"Fros....fros.....fros.....LASS!" The flowing arms of the ghost swooped down, being flags to start the race as a proud mouse and lion started running through the woods, minding the Wynaut about as Staraptor flew up above making sure they weren't cheating.
"Well...what do you say?"
"I'm sorry that I called your pokemon ugly..." A little boy looked away shyly as the little girl blushed.
"Well...I'm sorry that I called your Pokemon stupid..." She shied away too before a woman in uniform smiled, her red eyes growing happy. "Alright, now you two behave and run along. I don't think I should tell your parents now, do I?"
"NO MA'ME!" The called together before running off, a Numel and a
Slakoth chasing after.
The silverette looked up at her Mismagius and laughed, seeing the Pokemon nodding happily before they exited through the closest door, walking down the narrow hallway.
On her uniform, a small badge read:
S.S. Tidal Security
She opened another set of doors, walking out to a balcony. She smiled more as her red eyes caught another security guard, dressed up in uniform, looking over the side at the water, her hair color matching it.
"It's going to be a beautiful night..." She said softly as she walked over, her ghost following as she heard a welcoming yip of a Glaceon. She leaned on the railing as well, looking down at the ocean. "How about you and I get out of these clothes and hit the casino?" With a smile, she looked over before planting a soft kiss on the other's lips as she looked her way.
"Absol, sol, sol, sol, Absol!"
"Vulpix, pix, pix, pix, Vulpix!"
"Absol, sol, sol, sol, Absol!"
"Vulpix, pix, pix, pix, Vulpix!"
"Ninetails, tails, tails, tails, Ninetails!"
The five happy pokemon marched as they swayed their heads and tails in rhythm, following a tall redhead.
Dusk was falling down around them as they walked down a path from Vermilion City to a glowing light by the harbor. When they hit the last of the street lights, the motherly fox pulled her children around her before they continued down a path.
When they came to a clearing, the saw a magnificent fire bird, her flames reflecting in the waters as another figure stood besides her.
This was...a really big event. The group stopped, a smile running over the redhead's features and he looked out at them before looking down at the family besides him. "Ready?"
A small cheer went around before he laughed and walked down the hill towards the figure and the bird.
"Mol?" The bird looked back before flapping her wings in welcome, the small family running to her for the warmth she gave off as the tall figure walk down towards the blonde waiting for them.
"Hear anything yet?" He asked the other but before he could answer, the redhead wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist, bringing him into a passionate kiss under the glowing of the fire.
|
|
|
|
Post by Reno on Mar 16, 2009 8:52:42 GMT -5
Aqua's legs shook as she slowly fell to her knees, Glaceon, whimpering, came to her side.
Terra jerked in surprise at Ven's yell his worried eyes widened as he glanced at the scene before looking back at the blonde, "Ven... I-I don't..."
"Roxas.... Roxas...." Sora was repeating, again and again as if he were in a trance.
There was a loud cry and then a blast of fire suddenly erupted like an explosion, taking everyone and everything with it.
"SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!"
"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!"
"RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!"
The blaze rose high, dancing merrily in its tantalizing red and oranges and yellows. Burning, burning, burning away. And slowly the screams faded away...
The red and orange of the flame slowly burned out, and what was left is the color of true fire.
The sun shone down on a small town, brightening the gay colors to such an extent a passing Poke-watcher would give up his past art for something so grand. It was a perfect mixture of water and land, of vegetation and barrenness, of Pokemon and people, of buildings and space. No artist could resist attempting to capture the scene whther it be in music, paint, or written word.
It was not every day a beach was connected so close to a desert they were intermingled ecosystems. Flygon flew over the oceans, Slowpoke got lost in the sands, and everything in-between just tried to survive. This environment was so rare, its seasons so varied, its storms so unnatural, it's structure put just precisely so, that just at the diving line between desert and beach sand was the birthing place of the rarest gems in the whole world. So rare one was lucky to be created every thousand years!
For one darkly tanned male - obviously native - this scene was nothing grand or new. His eyes were a brown like wine, and seemed to almost tint red at times. Further away was a thin woman who was aged yet still beautiful - both of them wore matching bands of gold. He had his arms crossed in front of him, tapping his foot irritably as he looked down at a beautiful brown furred, blue-eyed wolf. "You're as stubborn as Terra, fuck. Mate with someone already!"
"Mi." She looked away and scoffed but her ears perked up at the barking of her pen pals, looking to see what had caught their interest. Her tail wagged and she stood walking over to the edge of the pen and barking softly as well, making sure her tenor was sweeter than the others. It got her some extra attention - a better pet, some nicer words from the visiting male she knew so well.
She sighed as he started to walk off, ears drooping some. why couldn't she find a mate with his colors? A nice golden... or even white. Yeah, that'd be a Mightyena worth her time and hard-earned milk. No way was she getting fat for one of these losers!
The man - obviously Mr. Tellus - also watched the display his eyes narrowed as the man walked past, barely seeming to notice him. At least his son picked the best. He wasn't too puny and he definitely had balls, unlike the other two. He scoffed - still he would of rathered his linage to move ON. If only that blonde could turn into a woman.
If only he knew...
Down the path into the depths of town was where the blonde headed until he found a large building, dome like in shape and the center of the town. It was unique however because of the long twisted spirals coming from the top and curling back - almost like horns. The sandy town became even more popular due to it's creation and trainer's came often in search of the badge shaped like the beige star-shaped badge (though a certain blonde with a coarse vocabulary would say it was shaped more like a flower). Many were known to fail several times before they managed to accomplish the goal, oftentimes just having a chore even taking out ONE Pokemon. Only two were ever recorded to go in once and only once... and come out with the badge.
One was a red-head with fire types who was very kind but passionate in battle who had stated they had something to finish.
The other was a spunky brunette with speedy types who was happy-go-lucky and creative.
Both were rumored to be very good friends to the leader and it was possible the battle was thrown because of that, yet they were never proven true since the two never returned.
The leader himself was said to to be many things: strong, confidant, ruthless, a tad rude, and, as his fans would gush, incredibly handsome. His features were said to be chiseled ("Whatever the fuck that means"), with gorgeous brunette locks ("What am I, a fucking girl?"), blue eyes that were more stunning than any sky but frosty like ice ("These shitty magazines need better fucking metaphors"), a voice that could make any women's knees go weak ("Oh holy hell, now I'm going to have cheerleaders swooming outside my door") and a handsome, strong body ("I bet you know everything about my 'strength' don't you Ve-OW!")
No one really knew everything about him though... like one man did. They didn't know how he was impartial to water and heights, that reading was his greatest passion, that have the time his Pokemon bullied HIM instead, that he was actually very sweet and approachable when he wanted to be, and that his love in life was muffins, only second to Ventus Holani, a man he had met as a woman years ago in Victory Town and didn't even flinch when he took off the wig.
That was the real Terra. And he was being every part of that man at that second - having no competitors challenging him at the time - he merely read and ate, waiting every day, hour, minute and second like a faithful wife for his lover to return. And even though he never let it show, his heart warmed each time he heard those big loud feet stomping down the hall and the customary greeting was uttered out telling him he had returned. Just like now.
And as always he gave the blonde his full attention, setting the book aside curiously as the other slapped open a case, showing it off like a girl from a game show. He raised an eyebrow at the eight ribbons - having seen the blonde win almost all of them on the televised broadcasts, most were of little surprise to him - but before he could say anything, the blonde was already setting them down and taking out from his back something more wiggly... and alive. Right down on his desk.
"Well I think he'd say 'Yahoo I'm a dad'" Terra responded sarcastically, "But I'm just guessing. Maybe he'll eat it." The blonde shot him an accusing glare and he merely grinned. "Why do you sound so sour? I bet it scored you big points to have the miracle of birth in the middle of doing some silly fucking loop-de-loop."
Ven rolled his eyes obviously not amused, so Terra stood and reached under the little Trapinch, picking it up. "Well, fine let's go find out. Besides you haven't seem the pups and kits lately."
He walked around his desk and towards the opposite door, opening it and going inside, Ven yelling out a 'Hey!' and following after. This room was much bigger and warmer with Pokemon spread out around it. Plants were growling freely around the area and the ceiling above was made from glass. It was a greenroom. It had plenty of flowered growing around because "I fucking like them so deal with it."
It wasn't hard to spot some Pokemon. A blue and grey dinosaur was making so much racket, bashing his head into every large boulder in the area it just screaming 'Look at me!'. And up above there was a slight sound of music on the wind, making them both look up, seeing a dragon flying through hoops hanging from the ceiling. Terra ignored the look that was burning into his back, knowing Ven just wanted to call him on that loop-de-loop comment now and quickly called out for the insect. "Flygon get down here!"
Other Pokemon were harder to spot. Hidden between the handing branches, almost appearing to be apart of them, a little fox was sunbathing - but the purple cat by Ven;s side found him quite easily. At one spot, the even land suddenly turned into a huge hill with only one single tree on the top - but it was large and beautiful. "Taillow!" Called one of the many nesting birds - finding this tree to be very relaxing. No one could even tell, unless very close that the hill was moving - expanding before deflating like it was breathing. It would take a very keen trainer to figure it was actually a creature.
The dragon that was called quickly swooped down and landed giving a happy cry to Ven, twittering his wings in a welcome back song.
Flygon turned his head around in confusion as the non-burning fire left the area but as he turned to look towards his master he was happy to see a blonde sitting up. "FLLLY!" He called his wings singing a happy song as he flew over. He was alright!
The blonde said hello to the enthusiastic dragon happily as well before pointing accusingly at the Trapinch. Flygon tilted his head before hovering over to his master and lowered his head nudging the large head of the orange Pokemon. His wings made a curious noise behind him as he started to nuzzle the creature. "Fllllllly~"
"Ah and I wanted to see him get eaten." Terra said with a laugh as he set the Pokemon on the ground for Flygon to play with while Ven let out Moana - a female Flygon. She was smaller than the other and the outline of her wings and tail were lighter.
"Fllly!" Flygon chirped happily, nuzzling the other, both their wings fluttering in song.
"How!!" A bark broke in, a large hell hound walking through the trees towards them.
"Houndoom!" Terra turned towards the black dog, smiling. "I'm so glad you're alright!"
"Doom!" Called the dog and jumped suddenly onto his trainer, making him fall, large feet pinning him to the ground. His tail wagged and he started to lick the other, the brunette laughing happily and trying to shove him off - apparently the feeling was mutual.
Beside him was a purple and tan cat, smiling gracefully.
Terra started to rip some at the twisted dress so the blonde could finally sit up, the teen seeming to be in a slight trance from all that was happening.
Nothing broke him out of it until...
"Ski...." Three heads jerked and looked down at a small, bloody pink kitten as she rose her head, ears twitching.
"Skitty...?" Ven whispered, his eyes wide with shook. But she had... he had thought, had felt-!!!
"SKI!" She meowed happily as she jumped in his lap, tail wagging as she nuzzled his chest and started to purr.
The tulip-tipped tail and pointed devil tail were locked together behind them.
"How!!" The dog barked happily as he nuzzled the cat, glad she was alright He started licking at her fur meticulously until it was clean.
Behind them trotted their price and joy - five little Pokemon. Three were Houndour pups two with black fur and a red muzzle and belly and one with navy fur and a golden muzzle and belly. The other two were two tiny kittens, one light pink the other a darker pink, almost red. On catching the sight of the blonde however their came a chorus of noise as they all broke into a run between the parents' legs, surrounding him in seconds, meowing and barking up at him. Ven laughed at their joy, leaning down to pet them all. They were all trying to hard to get the others attention first that they started to fall over each other.
"They missed you." Terra commented observantly, but something in his tone made Ven straighten and look over.
"You girl." The blonde said, smirking.
The brunette blinked and huffed, looking away sourly. "You won't be saying that tonight, jackass."
A chuckle then a light brush of lips on his cheek. "I missed you too."
Terra turned to look sat the other and smirked, leaning over so their lips were touching with each word. "That's better jackass." He felt hands on his hips as he brought the blonde against him, kissing him passionately.
"I'm glad you're alright." Terra murmured as they sailed away from Sky Pillar, his lips meeting the blonde's in a loving kiss.
"Welcome home, Ven."
The little island was full of life. Raichu and Luxray were taunting each other endlessly as they dodged between, rocks trees and Wynaut, Froslass and Staraptor easily acting as judges.
"Lux lux ray!"
"Chu, Rai chu!"
Sparks started to fly.
"RAPTOR!"
And quickly fizzled out.
"Skuuu~" Said the skunk to Seviper once the basket she held on her tail was full, she turned around and walked towards the wooden house with a windmill out front and electrical rods placed to the other side. The rods were an outlet for Jolteon, Luxray and Raichu to make sure they didn't build up too much electricity and get sick - it just had a the added effect of powering the house.
"Tank!" She called, hesitating at the open door. A little ghost Pokemon with gems in his eyes scuttled out and took the basket.
"Bleye!" He called before dashing back inside to put away the fruit.
She sat and slowly pulled her tail down from around her head and sighed contently, glancing towards the other side of the house were Metagross was setting down a tree that must of fallen in the woods and Hariyama was using his powerful hands to break it into pieces. Ah, that meant they would have firewood for a few days!
Down by a stream a spiky electric was looking at the water, seeing a few fish Pokemon swimming within. He licked his lips, about to dip his paw in and throw one into the air when suddenly there were... eyeballs floating on top of his head. "Jol...?" The fox blinked.
The second set of eyeballs blinked too.
"TEON!" The fox jumped, scaring all the fish and spun around, looking at a large ghost.
"Hau, Hau, Hau!!" He placed his eyes back into his head. The fox yipped happily and suddenly jumped up as if to tackle him. The ghost opened his mouth and seemed to swallow the fox hole - but of course he went right through. The two looked at each other and started laughing more. Life was always entertaining when Haunter came to visit!
"OH BE QUIET THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!" Sora said, but their was no meanness behind his tone, a grin on his own face. His cheeks were read as he watched Riku pull the disc back, giving him a good few of those sexy abs and a teasing glance at the silver-colored happy trail... Mmmm.... It was even better in the light.
"Good night Riku." Sora said softly as he turned towards his door, hand reaching down to close over the doorknob when a paler hand fell over his wrist, stopping him from going inside. He blinked some before glancing up. "Riku...?"
The silverette smiled slyly as he lent down, whispering huskily in the brunette's ear. "Please... come to bed with me."
Blue eyes went wide and the jaw dropped. Was... he really...? Sure they'd been dating for about a year now but... "O-Okay." He let the other tug him away, shutting the door on their two foxes.
"Jolt?!"
"Um-bre!"
Sora blinked out of his daydream, noticing the disc coming back towards him and huffed. He would catch this one, limp or no li- HEY! "Arcy!!" He yelped in surprise as the dog jumped in front of him, deftly catching the disc between her teeth.
The tiger dog grinned innocently, walking over to him and handing him the disc. He sighed but smiled petting her. "Thanks girl." He looked across at Riku and grinned. "Now try and catch this!" He pulled his hand back and and threw it hard, trying to aim to the left of the silverette.
Unfortuetly because his limp was ON that leg, it ended up miscalculating and going right for the silverette. Riku faked a yawn, hand patting his mouth while he held out the other right in front of him. An easy catch...
Until one of the clouds above swooped down and caught it instead, baffling the taller.
"Taria!!" Cried the cloud, the Frisbee dangling just on the edges of it's fluffiness.
"Nimbus!!" Sora said excitedly. The cloud turned and quickly flew over to him.
"So, did Swablu get back her trainer yet?" Sora asked curiously, looking through the picture phone at Axel's aunt. After the huge rescue, the centers all over had been full with treating and finding the previous homes - or new ones - for many of the Pokemon. Thanks to trainers reporting their missing Pokemon to such centers, it was only the matter of collecting the information - with such an influx though it was a time-consuming pain. It was one of the biggest rescues in history but so many had already been helped.
"Yes, we finally found some old records." Sera said, her eyes sad. "However... he was a C.O.L."
C.O.L. was the rescue team's term for Causality Of Life. A nice way to say... the trainer had died during traveling in some way.
"O-Oh..." Sora's eyes saddened.
"Yeah... so we're going to have to find her a new home. Sorry Sora, I know you were hoping-"
"Let me have her."
"W-What?"
"Well... I just... I saved her personally with Axel so I feel sort of... responsible for her. I'd love to take her."
"Alright Sora... if you're sure."
"I am."
The brunette held out his arm, smiling and letting her perch there, the Frisbee falling to the ground, forgotten. "How's my little Nim?" He asked, petting the Altaria lovingly. "I hope the ocean wasn't too rough on ya."
"Taaaaria~" She trilled softly, nuzzling him before holding out her leg, a few letters wrapped around it. Because of his and Riku's... living conditions... the two were completely cut off from the outside world. Altaria was there only contact to the rest - Roxas and Ven and Axel and Terra and their parents of course. So Altaria was their little 'mail-bird' of sorts, seeing as being a dragon Pokemon she had a lot of stamina and vitality. And, for some reason, she never got lost when looking for the island. Sora thought maybe the clouds told her.
Sora carefully unwrapped the letters, noticing Riku coming over, and he carefully shifted through them, smiling. Four in just three weeks! "Here's one from Terra and another from Sera, and our parents."
While Altaria flew off to go and get some seed from her and Star's hand-built birdhouse, Riku came closer as the brunette started reading the letters out loud. It seemed Ven was winning another contest so Terra sounded a little lonely and pissed off but things were going fine at the gym - and oh, Houndoom and Delcatty had their litter!
Sera announced that Axel and Roxas had gone on a small vacation to the Whirlpool Islands which she mentioned was well-deserved seeing how hard they had been working for the rescue center the past few months.
Both Sora's and Riku's parents said that things were going well for them and Bryna and Carina both alternated in their letters about one another - they had apparently become best friends. Sora's mom also mentioned of seeing Aqua and Fuujin when their cruise line stopped at port and that they were both doing very well.
"Love mom and dad." Sora finished and smiled before folding them and leaning down, letting Umbreon take them and picked up the Frisbee. The black fox's ears twitched and he turned, running back for home, knowing exactly where they went.
"Everyone seems to be going good." Sora chuckled, and threw the Frisbee. "Go get it!"
Arcanine barked and broke away. Riku was about to run after it as well, when tan arms circled around him, bare chests meeting. "Where do you think you're going?" Sora said playfully, dropping a kiss on the other's nose before he hooked one of his large feet behind Riku's ankle and leaning forward. Just as their lips met, both of them went spiraling into the sand.
Sora knew he had given up a lot to live on the Mirage Island. His Pokemon training career, the excitement of traveling, the adventure of finding new Pokemon and making new friends, face-to-face contact with his siblings, family and friends... but he-
Sora hesitated, turning around to look one last time at the town. The bustling shops, the toddlers chasing Pokemon, the kids begging their parents for ice cream, the cars rushing past, the buildings built high in the sky, the windows glistening in the sun, the bridges and roads, sidewalks and planters, litter and streetlamps, the puddles on gravel.
"Sora?"
The brunette blinked and looked back, seeing a pale hand reaching out for him.
"You ready?"
Sora looked up at the other's face, slowly and took his hand, smiling. "Yeah, I'm ready."
Together they boarded their boat and with a kick off from port, said goodbye to civilization forever.
But despite this he...
"I love you..." Sora whispered against red lips, bright blue eyes looking into serene aquamarine.
"I love you too, Sora." Riku responded, smiling as if their was no where else in the world held rather be.
He felt instead like he had been given everything he had ever wanted.
Against the edge of the boat railing, a blue-haired woman sighed contently, watching the water shifting and parting in the water, the boat acting like commander of the ocean. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"
"Glllla~" Came the agreeing sigh, the ice fox sitting by her side.
"Here it is..." Aqua said as she looked at the computer, looking at a picture of a red and blue duck-like Pokemon, reading the information. It had everything, the trainer's name, contact, nearest center, professor's lab, everything.
She sent the information to the Pokemon Center of Lilywood and set the Pokeball down in the transportation center. "Good bye... Porygon." She clicked the button and electricity crackled before it sucked up the Pokeball and was gone...
She sighed bowing her head.
"Last one eh?"
She jerked her head up and turned around slowly, seeing Ven standing behind her. Finally she had finished returning all the Pokemon she had stolen... and she noticed how much of her guilt had faded, though it would never completely disappear. "Yeah... you?"
He crossed his arms. "Tch, I finished hours ago. I'm not exactly computer inept, like you."
"Oh go have Terra fuck you!"
The two huffed and looked away.
.................................
"So... you're going with him, huh?" Aqua asked softly.
"Yeah, might as well keep him. He doesn't bitch as much as you." There was a long pause, Ven watching the blue-haired woman for a few moments as he seemed to remember a conversation they had only two weeks ago back in their stolen hotel room just fater he and Terra started to get close. "But... if you want, you can come with us."
"And have to hear 'OH FUCK TERRA! HARDER!' every night? Nah, I think I'll pass." The blonde started to blush, making Aqua chuckle, knowing on the wall behind her. "Thin walls."
"I got that, SHUT UP!" He shook his head and sighed. "S-So where are you... going to go then?"
"Mmm... I have some things I need to do. Someone I need to go see." She said with a shrug, putting her hands in her pockets and looking out the window. "I can help out here maybe, I dunno."
"Aqua..."
"Pff, don't worry about me Ven."
"Ven come on we got to go!" Terra called as he passed the computer room.
"Alright! Don't get your fucking panties in a bunch!"
The brunette rolled his eyes but walked off, mumbling something about how he never wore panties but Ven sure did.
Ven looked back at her hesitantly and scoffed. "You know you'll always be my fucking friend, right?"
"Yeah yeah, me too idiot. You're as sweet as piss." Aqua grumbled back but smiled some.
"VEN!!!"
"OKAY GOD DAMN IT!" Ven paused, then slowly turned and walked over to her. "I'm uh... gonna miss you."
"Jeez Ven, I'm not dying. Now get l-" She laughed but she was cut off as the other's arms wrapped around her. She stiffened some, blinking down at him in shock... before slowly hugging back. She sighed. "Gonna miss you too."
They stood their for a few minutes, just holding each other. Together...they had been through so much. Though they certainly didn't act nice in the least, they had always been next to each other on everything. They never left one another's side even when things got dangerous. That was friendship.
"VENTUS!"
Ven growled angrily. "Son of a bitch!"
Aqua laughed, letting him go. "You better go..."
"Yeah..." He turned around running to the door.
"Hey Ven!" the blonde paused looking back and Aqua smiled. "See you around, cocksucker."
He blinked, before slowly smiling back. "Bye, jackass." He turned and walked out of the room.
It been nearly two years since then - and she hadn't seen Ven for a long time. It'd been a long time since they had seen each other, but from what she heard (and she heard often. Honestly it made her sick hearing 'Ohmygosh look at Ven's cute butt!' every other day) and sometimes saw on the TV, Ven was a great success in the contests - cool ones now. She wondered what his fans would think if they knew of the blonde's 'early' contest career.
Knowing women, she'd bet they'd fall even MORE in love with him and say how 'adorable' it was that he had a sensitive side. The only think she took pleasure in was if that ever DID happen Terra would make sure to take her place and torture the fuck outta him. Maybe he'd even manage to get him in a dress - course it would never look as great as when she was his personal stylist.
She heard the door opening to her left. At least... he wasn't the only one who had gone someone far in life. She was now a security guard of a cruise ship - a job she never imagined actually getting. Most crimes on the ship were harmless - kids drawing on walls or fighting with one another, things going missing that were actually merely misplaced. Sometimes they had to deal with teams trying to steal Pokemon... but having intimate knowledge in such a subject, for Aqua they weren't hard to thwart. Especially for the egotistical ones who just HAD to have a motto...
"WHO ARE YOU?!" Cried a boy, looking up at the two rockets perched on a boulder, the blonde man holding onto a shiny Rattata. Their first shiny catch!
"Who are we?" The blonde asked, turning around. "We'll tell you who we fucking are!"
The blue-haired woman turned as well, grinning. "When it comes to disasters," She started, flicking her hair over her shoulder.
"Team Rocket are the masters!" The male teen pumped his fist in the air.
With the help of the hair, she did a fancy twirl. "We lie and trick, steal and cheat"
The blonde dipped her. "You'd never know we were under your feet!"
"Aqua," The girl said placing a rose between her teeth.
"Ven!" The blonde chanted, pulling her up.
Aqua threw the rose. "Now we're on our way,"
Ven flipped the boy off. "So fuck you and have a great day!"
The boy sweat dropped. "Wartotle, water gun!"
The shelled-turtle suddenly took a breath and a strong stream of water shot out at the two throwing them in the air. Unfortunately, Ven also ended up dropping their catch.
"AHHH WE'RE FUCKING BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"
That was the last time they ever did that.
Glaceon looked over, her tail wagging and she happily said 'Hello'. She looked over at the silver-haired woman, smiling.
"So, that's her?" Axel asked curiously, looking at the silver-haired woman in the park who was sitting on a bench, a Misdreveus floating by her side.
Aqua took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. "Yeah... that's her alright."
"Well, don't just stand here, go get her! She'll forgive you, I just know it!"
She glanced at the red-head, and smiled. "Yeah... thank you Axel, for bringing me here."
"Your welcome... and good luck."
Aqua smiled before she turned and walked into the park and towards the silver-haired woman, Glaceon followed behind her. She was about ten feet away from her when Fuujin looked over, having taken notice of the sound of her footsteps. The two paused for a long moment just staring at one another in surprise.
The blue-haired woman swallowed in nervousness. "...H-Hey..."
Red eyes narrowed at her and the woman stood, turning her back on her. "You shouldn't be here Aqua."
"A-Ah wait!" She started running after the other grabbing her by the arm. Those eyes looked back, glaring even to make the woman flinch and hesitantly let go. "I... let me explain..."
"Explain? What's there to explain? That you lied to me?"
"Well I didn't lie exactly-"
"Save it." She snapped. "You were the one who broke in that day." She pointed at Glaceon, the ice fox lowering her ears. "You had her freeze me to a WALL! You destroyed my confidence and ruined my job! You stole Pokemon! Then you come back, acting all sweet as if you were going to fix everything... but none of it really mattered to you did it?"
"Mis!"
"Of course it did!" Aqua snapped back. "You matter to me! You... you really helped me and I... Fuujin please... just let me talk to you..."
The shorter woman's eyes narrowed and she shook her head turning away again. "Leave Aqua. You're lucky I haven't put you behind bars yet."
"I-But I..." She stuttered, watching the woman started to walk away. She looked back at the red-head shrugging helplessly. What could she do?! The red-head waved his arms, gesturing for her to follow.
'But she's not listening!' she mouthed.
'Keep trying!!' He 'said' back.
She sighed but turned and walked after the other woman. "So why haven't you?!" She called.
That made Fuujin pause and glance back, raising an eyebrow. "Why...?"
"Yeah... arrest me damn it!" Aqua snapped as she walked over to the woman, snapped the handcuffs from her belt ("Hey!") and snapped then onto her own wrists.
"Gla!!" Glaceon cried in surprise, running over. She bit at Aqua's pant leg, tugging at it. What was she doing!?
"There!" Aqua said, and she pulled her arms apart, only able to make them go so far before metal bit at her skin. She tried to convince herself it was the physical pain making tears fall from her eyes. "Tahdah! Bet your get a hell of a fucking bonus for this catch! They might even promote you! Fuck then everything will just be PERFECT for you huh?!"
"Aqua..."
"WHAT?!" She yelled. "What could you possibly want more huh?! "...I want to know why you came back here."
"Because damn it, I've been trying REALLY fucking hard the past few months to make things up in my life so that when I came back her maybe just MAYBE you wouldn't be so fucking disgusted with me you might fucking say 'Yes' when I asked you out! I gave back all the Pokemon I stole, I risked my fucking life to get some back, and now I'm doing the best I fucking can to save their LIVES and you won't give me fucking five minutes of you time to tell you that!! So you could fucking understand who I am and-and..."
"Forgive you?"
Her arms fell, hands clinking in the confining metal. "Yeah..."
"I told you back then that forgiveness isn't a guarentee."
"...Yeah..." She sighed brokenly as she looked down, trying hard to stop fucking crying. There was a pause... and then something white was in her line of vision.
A handkerchief.
She looked up slowly, confused.
"There's a coffee shop down the street, we can talk there."
Her eyes widened, but she smiled a little. "Okay..." She took the handkerchief and started wiping away her tears. Fuujin nodded and started to walk in that direction, Aqua hurrying after.
"Could you um... unlock the cuffs though?"
So many things could of been different that day. Just one false move, one wrong word and Fuujin could of walked up and out her life forever...
Aqua shut her eyes kissing back.
She was glad she didn't.
She walked after, smiling as she wrapped an arm around the other's waist, a hand sneaking under the shirt. "Or we could skip the casino and just stick with 'getting out' of our clothes, hmmmm?" She hummed, before twitching her fingers against the other's side, making Fuujin giggle and blush - but she wasn't hearing a 'Noooo'~
Aqua grinned. Score!
After nearly a whole life-time of feeling confined to that little dusty attic, she finally found, after a lot of hard work and searching the key to that door.
Aqua laughed softly, pulling Fuujin into their room. "You're all mine now~"
Finally, she could see the ocean again.
Flames fluttered through the air off of winged shoulders, a tail of flame licking at wood but, against the laws of nature, not burning. She was a majestic creature, a bird with clawed feet a a long beautiful beak who towered high up, her massive form seem to shrink away at any human or Pokemon who could approach. However, despite her large size, she was a truly gentle creature, singing as softly and beautiful as any other songbird. Below her, the water tides against the pier, reflecting her flames and meeting the dusk appearing as if she herself had lit the whole ocean on fire.
Beside her, almost unnoticeable because of her was a short blonde with swirly hair, standing close enough the head of the flames should of been unbearable and even scathingly painful, but he wasn't even flinching, making many believe he were some sort of high, divine creature as well. Unreal, the two of them. He, like her, was reflected in the water, but his body was hued unnaturally, making his skin and clothes appearing furious and aflame.
The two stood there silently, hardly uttering any noises, as if they were waiting for something. A noise beyond the sound of waves crashing upon rocks and beach sand. A noise that was not reaching them.
Beside them, so small she seemed to disappear among the larger two, was an animated animal that resembled a fox. She was short with red, long triangular ears and a fluffy tail and collar both tan. She unlike the other two was restless, pacing back and forth on the last board of the pier, looking down at the water as it moved as if it were trying to fight off the reflecting fire. Her game ended shortly however when her ears twitched, hearing the noise of... singing?
She yipped excitedly, seeing who it was walking down the hill. A familiar family of five and in front of them a man with spiky red hair. As the Pokemon collected under bird she was quick to hurry over and tackle the red fox.
The blonde looked back, a content smile on his face as he looked at the red-head but before he could answer the other's question lips were against his, the warmth of the flames surrounding them. The shorter moaned softly, his arms wrapping around an overly thin waist. Mmm... this seemed familiar.
Lost.
So dark.
Numb.
Cold.
Soundless.
No...
"..... Xas.... n....."
What... was that voice?
"R..... w--e....... ple...."
There was sound.
"Co...... n!"
The dark realm slowly started to pulse, like a beating heart, expelling waves of warm air.
The cold slowly started to leave... and he wasn't really nu-
And then suddenly vicious pins and needles seemed to burst all over, sightlessly attacking from every direction. Disorientated, he started to realize he had a physical body - legs and feet, arms and hands being bitten as if by a thousand ants. A neck and head, pulsing and burning as blood pumped through. A twisting stomach and a tense abdomen, both beyond relaxation. And a chest with a beating organ within, both feeling an incapacitating force holding them down, as if some sort of pressure were on top of him.
Just as he realized he was not standing nor hovering no floating in this unending darkness his brain discovered the problem.
He gasped as he took in a large gulp of air... and kept breathing.
Suddenly things started to change. The pins and needles faded, the burning sensations started to clear, the tension eased, the pressure left instantly. Voices started becoming clearer.
"T---s it!"
"Rox! .............. up!"
"------right!"
He tried not to dwell too much on the voices at first, still too fascinated by the realization that he had a body. With some thoughts, he twitched his toes successfully feeling a reaction. He curled his fingers, and he felt something gravelly sliding under on of his hands, and wet and fabric-like in the other. He twitched the hairs that were on his face - and his eyes opened.
Light exploded from the darkness, a gleaming yellow that made him squint before he tried again. Color. Brown, blue, white, black. Suddenly a pale peach was in the way, framed by red and green.
"Roxas?"
His blurry vision started to clear and the utterance of his name, his brain started to whir, memories slamming through them at light speed, barely giving him time to digest it all.
His brothers. Traveling. His Pokemon. Battling. Training. Team Rocket. Moltres. The rescue mission. Reno. The gun. And-
"A..." He rasped softly, his throat sore from blood. He swallowed and tried again. "A-Axel...?" He managed to whisper out to the face above.
Those green gems widened, before he saw a brilliant smile, tears started to fall. "Yeah it's me... it's me Roxas!" He suddenly noticed the arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"HE'S ALRIGHT!"
Roxas blue eyes rolled around, finding out he was actually surrounded by other people. It had been Sora who had yelled, his arms slinging around Riku's neck, hugging tightly. Beside them Aqua was smiling, discreetly rubbing at her eyes. And Ven, a pink Skitty on his head, was smiling too; Terra was standing next to him, a hand on the blonde's waist in a gesture that probably had once been one of comfort. Moltres was standing behind Axel, looking down at him.
Finally he looked back at Axel and his eyes widened as lips suddenly pressed against his in a surprising but not unwelcome affection. Wait! How - why - when?!
'I l-love..... love yo-you'
Oh... right.
Roxas smiled and just before he shut his eyes to enjoy the kiss, Moltres let out a mighty cry, unburning flames surrounding them in joyous celebration!
The Big Rescue. That's how he always looked back at that time as - even if he ended up dying for a few minutes because of it. Because once the joy of him being alive died down everyone went back to work, rescuing Pokemon out of the now abandoned Sky Pillar... and using Skuntank, Linoone and Seviper to dig graves for those that had not made it, including Seedot. It was a little harder the second time through because Riku could no longer speak with them though he could show his face to the sun again. After they had cleared out the pillar, they went to Slateport and had to assist getting the freed Pokemon to centers and rescue centers. It was a lot of work... but worth it.
Roxas broke the kiss, smiling. "No, haven't heard anything yet." He nuzzled his head against the other's chest smiling as he felt a hand running through his hair. What were they listening for?
Lugia.
They weren't at the Whirlpool Islands like they had told Sera they would be because Moltres had led them here instead. Roxas guessed either it was a time of migration or maybe Lugia always traveled between the Kanto and Johto regions, to watch over both lands and make sure the legendary birds were alright.
Whatever the reason, they were here, waiting.
"So, how are things back home?" Roxas asked softly, listening to the other's answer. That was where Axel had been, calling Sera to check up on her and the other rescuers.
Yes, that was right. Roxas had officially become part of the rescuer team, along with Axel being 'reinstated' as sorts. It was very different from being just a trainer where you could learn things at your own leisure while you traveled. No, instead he had to be prepared for everything at any moment in time - whether it be taking care of a Pokemon in the rescue station or out on the field.
So he had to study... a lot. It was intensive and pressuring work, learning about each and every Pokemon known to the world individually. Sera told him not to worry - that once he got the hang of things they'd put in a 'specialized' category. That meant basically, he would be placed where ever he was the most talented. Axel, for example, was a fire-type rescuer. He dealt with abused fire Pokemon brought back or whenever there was insider knowledge of a Team or poacher trying to get to steal a lot of Pokemon in a region with plenty of fire-types, Axel usually went with.
He himself had only been on the field a handful of times 'learning the ropes' so to speak - of course there was nothing to learn seeing as all three of those times they were merely false alarms. He did get to hear a lot of amazing stories though from the senior members.
Like rangers, they had capture stylers (which took him nearly a month to get the hang of), only to be used when conditions weren't too dangerous and were absolutely necessary. He'd only ever used it when practicing on Lavaridge Pokemon.
At the station though, he felt a lot more useful. Though he hadn't been allowed to actually work in there until he had finished all his book-learning which took nearly six months, everything was so different when he was learning hands-on. It started out as small jobs - cleaning the water tanks, setting up rooms, organizing supplies, filing lost Pokemon and finding the rescued Pokemon their trainers if they had any. But then it was all rushing around to get supplies for an injured and nearly dying Pokemon, learning how to bandage legs, how to nurture baby Pokemon without mothers, how to calm enraged and abused Pokemon. Every day brought him something new. It was almost scary.
Now he'd been a rescuer nearly two years and still there was a lot of pressure on him to learn more, to save more, to be more. Without Axel, he was pretty sure he would of cracked under all the expectations. Just the book learning had driven him half-mad and smashed his self-confidence into the ground. But, now he was finally starting to get a specialization - in dark types. Surprisingly, he dealt with these commonly bad-tempered and often dangerous Pokemon the best. Now whenever another rescuer came running to him, asking for his assistance with a Weavile or a Houndour, he felt proud of all of his hard work.
Ah... and between all of that, even more had occured.
The pups were the first. Taking care of them was more work then he expected. Edana, for example, was just as playful as her mother had been - playing hide and go seek on them almost every day after she had grown her second tail. And now with six, still did so at least once a month. She and Flareon got along great.
Borva, on the other hand, had a knack using her fire attacks and found great enjoyment using them. It had taken a long time for them to teach her the lesson of restraint. Now, with all six of her tails grown in, she was often aggressive and challenged Pokemon often - much to Ninetails' dismay and Absol's pride.
And Zan-
"What about Thanatos?" Roxas asked as he picked up the small Absol pup. "He was the guide of the dead."
"You want to name him after Death?!" Axel cried as he looked around the room, as if searching for something.
"Well... he wields a scythe?"
"Roxas!"
"Okay how about Zanatos."
"It's... a bit of a mouthful."
"And Edana isn't?!"
"Pix!"
"Hey! Found her." Axel reached behind the bookcase and pulled out the red fox.
Roxas eyes narrowed in concentration. "Mmm what about.... just Zan?"
"Sol!"
"That sounds like a yes to me!" Axel cheered.
"Alright, little Zan!"
Zan was every bit as different to his father as could be. He was friendly with humans and loved to be pet. He accepted food from strangers readily and loved to play. He hated conflict and would rather make friends than battle. He was also much shorter and less threatening, even after his sickle and scythe had turned sharp.
Then of course there had been Aqua and Ven - both of whom had found there callings. Thanks to Axel's urgings, Aqua returned back to Victory City to straighten things out with Fuujin - shortly after they started dating. Ven, meanwhile, had been urged by Terra to forget being a trainer and instead be a coordinator. The blonde had been spectacle (and offended) at first, but after some specialized training together, his twin started to enter cool contests... and now he was famous.
Terra, meanwhile, got a license to become a gym leader. He returned to his hometown and built one and apparently a great success.
In fact... it was that same exact gym, newly built, that they had all been together for the last time. Aqua and Fuujin had been together for nearly a year. Ven had already won three ribbons. He had just started some of his field training and the pups were really growing up. Sora's Swablu had evolved into Altaria.
No one expected Terra to challenge Axel to a two on two match - Ninetails and Moltres against Houndoom and Flygon. Terra had lost.
No one expected Sora to challenge Terra right back the very next day to a six on six match - the battle had been long, but after a lot of hard battling from all of Sora's team the brunette had been given the Vitality Badge. Seconds after, the brunette announced that that had been his final battle and that he and Riku had built a boat. They were moving to Mirage Island - if they could find it.
No one expected Aqua and Fuujin to announce they had joined a security team on a cruise line and would spend the majority of their lives on those large boats.
It had been a lot of changes all at once - enough that Roxas and Ven had become a little hostile and angry to nearly everyone - but afterward a lot of goodbyes and good lucks and farewells. This was a part of growing up. They all had to move on and just be glad everyone had found their place in the world.
And even though they were all so far a distance from once another, they were all still great friends. Now they got calls from Aqua and Fuujin when they were in port, and from Terra when he was free. They got letters from Sora and Riku via Altaria. They were visited by Ven whenever he was traveling through, sometimes with Haunter, sometimes without (it appeared the ghost was the only other Pokemon in the world able to find Mirage Island. Sora thought it was because of the ghost's and Jolteon's love for one another, binding their hearts together).
Yes, life... had really taken a turn for the better. For all of them.
"Moooooool!" Moltres suddenly cried, making Axel and Roxas look up in surprise. The large fire bird was looking across the now dusky waters searchingly. "Tres!" She called again.
"Look!" Axel breathed, pointed suddenly.
Roxas followed the indication and gasped in surprise... as a long neck emerged from the water. It was maybe only a half mile away from shore, close enough that Roxas could seeing the pearly white color of it's skin, framed in some places by a dark blue. "Lugia..."
The head turned at the fire bird's cry before it dipped it's head, seeming to nuzzle the water. A body rose up beside it - no her - as a miniature form of herself emerged from the water, swimming close to her side. A baby Lugia!
Now it was clear why she was here. "This... must be the birthing den." Axel whispered. "Amazing."
Moltres called softly to the other, congratulating her no doubt. The sea guardian nodded her head, then her mouth opened... and a beautiful song emitted.
Roxas' eyes widened, recognizing it instantly. "That's it!" His hand reached down, clasping Axel's in his own. It was Lugia he had heard that morning on the sea!
Together, they listened in silence. Roxas most of all - and as tears welled in his eyes he suddenly felt as if he understood the meaning behind the song.
It sung of long days of loneliness and solitary travels. Of days of witness when things were at their worst, of goodbyes and separation. Of learning alone and being alone. And then, as it grew faster and warmer, it spoke of miracles and meetings. Of friendship and teaching. Of birth and rebirth. Of no longer having to be alone.
And at the song's highest crescendo - of love.
And as they watched silently as Lugia and her child left, Moltres and the fox family saying goodbyes, Roxas wondered if maybe her song was not just for herself but for the world. For every human and every Pokemon still striving to find a friend; a companion; a mate; a lover.
He turned slowly, looking at the red-head by his side. And he smiled. Axel was the second half of his song.
He leaned up on his tip-toes, lips brushing Axel's cheek softly. "I love you."
The red-head turned to him, smiling as he lent down, whispering, "I love you too."
As their lips met, the day died. But the morning would come again more beautiful and bright than the last. And in that morning adventures would begin again all over the world. But no matter who you looked for - whether it be trainers, coordinators, rescuers, rangers, leaders, or even just people living together on water or land - there would always be a friend to nature and the animals that live on it, striving together for what they desire the most.
For that is the world of Pokemon.
The End!
|
|
