Author's Note:
Don't ask me why or how. Just read.
I've been SLACKING on my Super Smash Bros. story, Pick Your Battles, and this is what I've come too! Anyway, this story has been in the pot for quite some time and I think I'd better give it some attention. Originally I meant to write it in a oneshot, but I got going and realized, "Hey, maybe it should be a two or threeshot. Maybe more if it gets to that." Viola.
The story says Luke is the main character, but you won't be getting much from his point of view until a little later. Please do not flame however. I know Luke's normal personality is hyper and 'extreme', but for the sake of the plotline, he isn't his normal self. Think of Shuyin from Final Fantasy X-2. He's supposed to be hyper like Tidus, but due to the current circumstances, he's not happy.
This story is based off of Tree of Tranquility because of the places, plotline, and the fact that this was planned out even before Animal Parade's release. You will notice I refuse to spell Gil's name 'Gill', but everything else is spelled the way it should be in the English version. I may have other things to add on to this Author's Note later, so keep a watch. I may or may not add it to the other Author's Notes instead.
Warnings: yaoi [the pairing will be introduced later in the story, you'll just have to wait] and lots of fluff and lemon :D Rated 'T' now, but 'M' for later chapters.
Enjoy!
Pop
"Ow! Man Luke would you knock it off already?" exclaimed a blonde as he sat on the ground, rubbing his sore head from where he'd been hit. Luke stopped what he was doing to look over at the younger scowling boy glaring at him. He had a can on the ground and with his axe was smacking it. Each time it seemed to catch the other on the side of his face.
"Bo, if you don't wanna get hit then move out of my way, alright?" he answered, and went back to swinging the axe. Just then another person came stomping out of the forest and Bo scrambled up next to her, clinging to her arm.
"Angela! Will you please get Luke to stop messing around and get to working?" he said, fear tinting his voice. "Dale's gonna be dreadfully mad when he finds out how much we've gotten done today, if you can even call it that!" he squealed. Angela giggled.
"Luke, c'mon you're scaring Bo. And besides, it's getting late. Maybe you should head home?" she questioned. Luke glanced at her before grumbling under his breath and kicking the can as he stomped away. Angela ran after him, Bo stumbling behind.
"Luke, what's the matter with you?" Angela asked. She caught hold of Luke's arm and noticed at once how tense he was. Said sapphire haired boy turned to her and lightly removed her from him.
"I'm fine, Angela." he said. Angela stopped walking and watched the oldest of the three walk off angrily down the pathway. She placed a hand to her cheek, obviously worried.
"I wonder if this has anything to do with-"
"ANGELA!" she whirled around and managed to catch Bo just in time as he fell out of the woods with a loud crash, knocking them both over. "S-sorry Angela."
Angela chuckled nervously and got up, Bo helping her and dusting her off. "It's okay Bo." she said and turned to carefully navigate her way.
"Angela?" Bo's soft, meek voice came floating over to her and she turned around again to look at him. Bo had his head down and was picking his hands and kicking at the dirt. "You think something's wrong with Luke?"
Angela sighed and walked over to the blonde, taking his hands in hers and smiling. She shook her head. "He's just having a hard time is all. But I promise, Bo. I'll figure out what's wrong with him. Don't worry."
"Well, what should we do first?" said Bo anxiously. Angela giggled.
"You have to go back to the Carpenter's before Dale worries. Tomorrow I want you to meet me at Praline Forest and we'll go from there. I think it's best to ask around before confronting Luke about the problem, cuz if we go to him first he might get insulted and close up on us." she explained. Bo nodded.
"Okay, that makes me feel a little better. I'll ask Dale for some time off and tell him it's important but private." Angela nodded.
"Yah. Tell him that I requested your attention for the day and we'll be busy for the most part. I'll even pay him if he wants." she finished.
"Okay. I'll meet you in the morning. I'll just have to keep Luke out of it, but I know he'll get suspicious, so this is a one time thing." he bowed and Angela waved, the two splitting off from each other as sunset began to settle in.
"Sir…" Bo began. Dale was seated at the table, going over today's profits and some of his apprentice's designs. He looked up as Bo kept an eye on the doorway that Luke had disappeared behind.
"Yes Bo? Somethin' botherin' you?" he asked. Bo sighed.
"Well, um, I'd like to ask you for a day off tomorrow. You see, Angela has asked for my assistance, and I have already promised her that I would meet with her." he said. Dale raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. "Um, sir?"
"Fine. I have no problem with that. But, why? What're you two doin'?" he asked. Bo was about to speak when he suddenly saw Luke walking through the doorway and heading for the workroom. Once Luke had disappeared again, Bo relaxed and addressed Dale.
"Angela has some, uh, problems she needs help with. Like um, well, like uh, broken stuff and she needs advice…" he trailed off and Dale blinked solemnly.
"Bo…" he began. "Something is ailin' you and I aim to find out what. But for now, if Angela needs you, then go. Be back in time for supper though, I only keep the door open 'til a certain time." and with that, Dale got up, making his way towards the bedroom.
"Close up shop tonight. I'm gettin' to bed. Tell Luke I want him in bed soon as possible." he said. Bo frowned.
"Um, sure but…why is that sir?" Dale turned to look at Bo briefly.
"He's got insomnia lately. Don't know why, but I'm sure it'll go away eventually. Anyway, don't want him sleepy durin' work hours and if you're gone he'll need to pick up the slack."
"There's no need pa. I'm gettin'. " said Luke softly, following Dale into the room and looking awfully drowsy. Dale himself was, if you can believe it, laughing. Luke turned slightly, sending a glare in Bo's direction and making Bo swallow hard. But the glare was over quickly and Luke left, leaving Bo a little worried about giving Luke the extra load for tomorrow.
Bo sighed and began cleaning up the tools, locking the door, and doing other miscellaneous things. When he finished, he turned out the lights and went into his room. Dale was making his bed up and Luke was lying on his stomach, passed out it seemed like. Dale looked up and chuckled.
"Be quiet about gettin' in bed. I gave Luke somethin' to help 'em along, but he might still wake up." whispered Dale. Bo nodded and hurried to the bathroom, dressing for bed, and climbing in.
'Sorry Luke…but it's for your own good…' thought Bo.
"Hey Angela!" came a cheery voice. Angela jumped and looked around frantically until she saw a silvery colored head pop up from behind a tree. A hand followed in greeting.
"Oh! H-hey Toby! You scared me." she chuckled and wandered over towards the fisherman who stood with a wide smile on his face, just like always.
"Sorry, didn't mean to. What's up?" he said. Angela was about to ask what he was doing there late in the afternoon, but remembered that Toby always fished at Caramel Falls, and instead smiled and the two began walking.
"It's okay. I was just leaving the Ganache Mine District. You?" she said, but she knew the answer.
"Fishing. What were you doing up there anyway?"
"What, in Ganache? Well, I had some stuff to take care off at the blacksmith's, but then I ran into Bo and Luke at Praline Forest. I talked to Bo about Luke for a little bit, and then I came here." she said. Toby raised an eyebrow.
"Luke? Why? What's wrong with Luke?" he asked, suddenly more than just curious. Angela thought for a moment.
"I wish I knew. He's been real strange lately. He pouts and grumbles, doesn't really talk much to anybody, and gets tense about things. It's like he's becoming real distant…but I can't for the love of Goddess figure out why." she said. Toby frowned deeply.
"Well, what're you going to do?" he asked. Angela sighed.
"Bo and I are meeting up tomorrow morning in Praline Forest. We'll go from there. I was hoping you'd know what was wrong, seeing as how you and Luke are close." she said sorrowful. Toby stopped walking.
"Speaking of being close, Owen and him hang out a lot. Maybe he knows something. In fact, I could ask around too and get back to you and Bo later in the day. Pascal always says word gets around quicker with more people." he said. Angela jumped up and down with glee, throwing her arms around Toby.
"Thanks so much Toby!" she pulled away and nodded. "Let's say we'll meet up at around 6:00pm tomorrow. If you know anybody else that'd like to help, then we'll include them. But make sure the one person who doesn't hear about it is Luke. I don't want him to find out and get upset."
"Okay. I'll get back to you. Bye Angela." he said, waving.
"Alright bye Toby. And thanks again!" she waved back and sighed. She trekked back to her home, hoping to get some sleep, when she bumped into another villager.
"Oof!" Angela fell backwards. But before she could had time to look up, she was yanked up off the ground.
"Looks like we're a bit clumsy in the dark, huh?" came another familiar voice. Angela finally looked up and smiled.
"Oh, hey Calvin. Sorry for walking into you. I was just talking to Toby about Luke." she paused, wondering if Calvin even saw Luke on certain days. "Hey, have you heard anything lately, about why Luke's acting so strange?"
Calvin scratched his head. "Nope, can't say I have. But doesn't he act strange anyway?"
Angela giggled, but shook her head. "No, no. That's not what I meant. He just isn't, acting himself. That's what I was talking to Toby about. He, Bo and I are going to scout for answers around town tomorrow."
"Oh. Well, I wish you luck with that. To be honest, I have no idea what's going on with him. But I'll check around if you like." he offered. Angela smiled.
"That'd be great Calvin." Calvin nodded and waved.
"Well, be seeing you!" he called. Angela watched him leave when suddenly a thought came to her head.
"Wait Calvin!" she yelled. Calvin stopped. "Um, could you keep this from getting back to Luke? He might get angry if he finds out what we're doing. I know it sounds like we're sneaking around but, we really need to find out what's wrong and he's not the person to tell us."
Calvin nodded. "I promise. Goodnight now!"
"Night Calvin!" she said. She mentally counted the number of people in town. She knew that some of them might be able to help, but she had to ask the Ganache Mine occupants first. And out of all those people, Owen was at the top of the list. And she hoped with all her might that he could help them.
Morning came quicker than anyone suspected, all but those meeting up at Praline Forest. Angela crawled out of bed and set to work on breakfast. Once she had eaten, she worked her farm. She got up early to make sure she made it to the meet in time, and so she could tend to her animals.
It only took her a half hour before she was done with everything. Quickly, she made her way up to the root cut by Luke a year ago. She felt her heart clench.
'He was so happy then…'
She shook the thoughts out of her head and followed the path. Just as she reached Praline Forest, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"EEK!" she squealed, and nearly jumped on the person that tapped her. But when she turned to them, she calmed down. "Geez, Toby sometimes I'm afraid I might have heart attacks when you're around. Thanks for coming."
Toby chuckled. "Sorry, again. I figured it was the best I could do, you know, to come out today." he sighed and they waited patiently, together, for Bo. 15 minutes later said blonde was running up the path.
"Sorry I'm late you guys. Is Toby helping too?" he said. Angela nodded.
"Okay. Bo, since you need to be back as soon as possible, you should work on Ganache Mine and possibly Brownie Ranch. Toby, I think you should come with me to Waffle town and we'll split from there. You know, since no one is technically around Maple Lake during the day." she said. Toby nodded.
"I can talk to Pascal and Ozzie. Maybe the Tailor Shop and Irene and Perry at the clinic." he offered. Angela nodded.
"And I'll talk to everybody at the Sundae Inn and then head up to the town square to see Gil, Ellie and Chase." she said. Bo smiled.
"And I'll see Owen first and then talk to Julius, Anissa, and Renee. I think Ruth and Hannah might be too busy to talk today and I don't know about Phoebe and Calvin at the Mines."
Angela raised her hand. "Ooh! I talked to Calvin yesterday afternoon after I left Toby. He hasn't heard anything but he offered to ask around and keep it secret. I'm sure he'll ask Phoebe when he sees her. That reminds me, I gotta ask Barbara and Simon if they've seen anything."
"Toby mentioned Irene and Perry at the clinic. You think Anissa might be over there too? And what about the doctor?" he asked.
"I think Anissa is working at the clinic today. And the doctor is far too busy to speak with. I can go see Barbara and Simon if you want Angela. And you just head up to the town square after you're done with Sundae Inn." he said. Angela nodded.
"Then it's done. We've got a plan guys. Thanks a ton for helping. We meet up at 6:00pm today to discuss what we've learned. Bo, you think Dale would mind?"
"No. I don't even think he'd notice."
"Good, then it's settled. Good luck everyone, and thanks again."
They waved and set off, hoping today would not turn out to be a disaster.
Author's Note:
It is short. This displeases the author. D:
I want to include a bunch of the characters in here so it might get crowded. If you have any questions about what's going on in the story, ask and I'll do my best to help you out without ruining the future plotline.
Review Guys! Plz!
I have to go work on PYB now…