The Green-Eyed Monster
Mega V(Volt):
(Yuri's Mega Stone shines as Pichu jumps up and down before Shun's Mawile joins them.)
Dragon, Ghost, Ground, Flying(Yuri watches as Mawile tries to talk with her.)
Poison, Bug, Water, Electric, Rock, Grass, Dark(Pichu jumps up as Leda throws a Grepa berry.)
Ice, Normal, Fire, Fighting(Mawile looks at Yuri, blushing before looking away.)
with Steel, Psychic, and Fairy(Rei smiles as she drags Shun and Ricka out into Fudan City.)
Now, the adventure continues on, even throughout the lasting darkness.(Shun smiles as Tyranitar helps him with his work around the Daycare.)
Just shine like a shooting star and don't hesitate to fight on through!(Ricka watches as Ace trains Bayleef, tossing Etta's Cherish Ball up and down.)
Come on, use your will power to be better than you were yesterday!(Rei smiles as she plays in the mud, Hotaru looking in slight disgust before getting pulled in by Rei, the two laughing.)
There's something exciting along the way!(Etta smiles as she watches the daily havoc is Constant Box.)
My heart is pounding, dangerous!(Shun, Ricka, and Rei throw their pokeballs in the air.)
Someday I'll become someone who will be proud of myself.(Rei looks at the sky as images of her experiences fly by her.)
Indeed that's what you taught me, (Rei looks up to see Shun ruffling her hair.)
and for that sake, (Pichu jumps up onto Rei's shoulder.)
that's why I will continue to fight on!(Rei smiles as she faces Ricka and Ace, who are ready to battle.)
Once you've packed the power of a dream into your heart,(Ace charges forward with Leaf Blade, Bayleef defending with her own Leaf Blade before the two clash once more.)
It's certain that someone precious to you will call out your name!(Pichu and Cecila both use Attack Shift, Pichu charges forward with Volt Tackle while Cecilia uses Shadow Ball.)
As the wind blows throughout the trees of the beautiful green forest(Yuri Mega Evolves and attacks with Play Rough as Wartortle uses Rapid Spin and Hydro Pump.)
The yellow flowers bloom life.(Shun smiles as Mawile gives Yuri a small kiss before hiding behind his trainer.)
Dragon, Ghost, Ground, Flying (Rei yawns as she falls asleep listening to Etta's singing. Pichu sleeping next to her.)
Poison, Bug, Water, Electric, Rock, Grass, Dark (Shun drools a little as he sleeps on the floor.)
Ice, Normal, Fire, Fighting (Ricka struggles to stay awake before falling asleep at the Daycare's reception desk, Yuri falling asleep next to Mawile.)
with Steel, Psychic, and Fairy(Etta smiles as she, Celebi, and Mew put blankets over the three trainers.)
The yellow flowers bloom life.(Constant Box's lights turn off as it becomes night.)
...
When they came back from Unova, her sister was so much happier. That's the first thing the child noticed about her sister. Miss Unsmiley – which is quite the citywide nickname she had gained – was now becoming so much happier. Clearly it would be so quire compared to others. Seeing the buxom, loud-mouthed, easily angered redhead actually smile for a change. Even Shun himself would say the action was weird, if not incredibly out of character.
So what had the woman like this? What created this sudden and mysterious change in the woman? Was it the death of someone she hated to no end? Was she simply happy to be home again? Could it be something different?
"Dreavussssss..."
The eleven-year-old's eyes opened. Following suit, she gave a hard yawn. Today was bound to be a wonderful day, no lie! She felt energized almost immediately. The sun was gazing through her window and falling upon her body, and her beloved Misdreavus was hovering right above her body. The indigo-haired child reached for the Screech Pokémon, grabbing it's astral form and pulling it in close. The Misdreavus let out a cute coo from the hug.
Today was going to be a great day for the younger of the Constant Sisters, Rei Constant. With all that's happened over last week, she felt so energetic. It had been a while since she got to help out the Box; play with the Pokémon, help out Shun, not to mention get into random trouble. And it would all begin with a good morning meal!
Rei walked outside; there was this mist wafting through the air. With her nose quivering, it smelt downright wonderful! She knew that smell. When it was this morning, then that commonly meant Ricka went down to Fudan City for breakfast. That meant no cold bowl of cereal, or one of Ricka's failed attempts at 'cooking'. This was going to be food! Actual and amazing food!
The closer she got to the stairs, the more populated things became. Populated with her Pokémon, that is. Pichu lingered around the staircase's leg, as if trying to look over the corner and see someone. So too was Swinub and Wartortle. They were just looking into the kitchen, as if trying to see something. Rei walked among them, her hand dancing upon their heads as she petted them, only to shift elsewhere.
She stepped into the kitchen with a wondrous smile on her face. Surely the plates had been set, and the food was all ready. And boy was she right.
Only it wasn't for her.
"Mmmmm... it's so great, Ricka!" she heard the voice of someone moan.
"I know!" she heard her sister reply, "It's the best, right?"
Rei's eyes peered over the edge of the table, where her azure blue eyes relayed the image of a tower of wonderful, delicious, french toast. They were oozing with wonderful syrup, and there was butter on every stack. Steaming bacon was on the plate as well, and sausage, and wonderful eggs.
Rei's mouth was watering from the sight of it all. She wanted to spring at the plate, when she saw a fork hover over the bits of toast. The fork stuck into a piece of it, where in which it was brought away from view. She stared over, just to see her sister.
The tall redhead, dressed in her overalls and white undershirt, was holding the fork. She had this twinkle in her blue eyes as she sat in her table, and the biggest smile on her face. Holding a plate under her fork so syrup wouldn't fall, she brought it over to someone else. Rei moved over just a bit more.
It was a small Pokémon, barely over two feet tall. She was a lithe and feminine little creature, with the form of a beautiful woman. Her eyes were large, wonderful, blue, and easily capable of being lost endlessly within. Long green hair which matched her green midriff flowed from her head, one with – what appeared to be – musical notes within. But of course she would; her name is Meloetta, after all.
But for secrecy's sake, we'll just call her 'Etta'.
"Mmm! Mmm!" the Melody Pokémon of legends said as she was fed morsel after morsel of french toast, "It's soooo great, Ricka! Where'd you get this?"
"It's from a place Rei and I go to some times, ya'know!" she said with a smile as she fed her friend even more, "Here! Here! Have some more!"
"Ah-hem!"
Together their eyes moved over to the other end of the table. Standing there, face pouting, fists on her hips, was Rei. She looked at the two, completely and utterly confused by what she was seeing. This mainly stemmed from her sister, of all people. What the hell was wrong with Ricka? Seriously, the way she was acting was most uncharacteristic. Ricka? Acting happy? Ricka? Showing love? Ricka? Acting somewhat motherly?
Ricka Constant is not the woman who shows good emotions. She's rarely giving a smile for a good reason, she rarely gives good advice, she rarely even speaks without saying 'fuck' or some variation thereof. And why was she feeding Meloetta? And why was the legend in a high-chair like she was a three-year-old?
There were a lot of questions that needed answers. And Rei got none.
"Good morning, Rei!" Etta said with a smile as she wiped syrup from her mouth, retaining her smile as she did so, "I didn't even hear you come in, I'm so so sorry."
"It's okay, Etta-chan," the eleven-year-old replied, before smiling herself, "Rei simply smelled the good food and was hoping to get some myself."
"It's 'smelt' the good food, Rei," Ricka said as she pulled out another piece of french toast, "Not 'smelled'."
"Actually, it can be both," Meloetta corrected her friend, "'Smelled' and 'smelt' are both seen as grammatically correct, even though 'smelt' has another definition, but that's besides the point. Both of them are common, with neither being used more than the other," she smiled, her face beaming, "When you live for over hundreds of years, you learn many things! MMFFF!?"
"Oh shut the hell up!" Ricka shouted as she rammed more food in the legend's mouth.
"Ricka, where's Rei's food?" the eleven-year-old asked soon after, looking at her blank spot on the table.
"Huh-wha?" her sister replied as she continued to give Meloetta more and more food, "Oh... uh, sorry Rei; I didn't get you anything to eat. You were still asleep at the time-"
"Ricka stop! I can't eat anymore! Mmffff!?"
"Just pour yourself a bowl of cereal or keep eating Grepa berries or whatever... and make sure to take a shower or don't... we have things to do, ya'know?"
The rest of Ricka's words somewhat blurred themselves in Rei's head. She wasn't paying attention to her sister, or to the legendary who stood in their midst. If anything, it didn't even seem like Ricka noticed her sister's ignorance. The redhead wasn't even talking to her anymore; she was busy talking to her age-old friend again.
Was it kinda wrong that a feeling began to grow in Rei's chest? A feeling of jealousy?
…
"And... NOW!" the woman shouted.
Usually, this job was used for one of the more physically capable Pokémon. Buster, the normal candidate, or maybe even Quest. But, no, nope, nada, not this time! This time, he had to do it. This time, the mighty Sceptile played the role of Training Dummy.
Ace hated playing Training Dummy.
The Sceptile's eyes were in a glare, while his mouth was in a pout. He was sitting down with his head in his palm, while his finger poked at his cheek. Slowly looking up, his eyes fell upon his Trainer. Her hands were on her fist, while those scarlet locks flowed in the wind. Ricka's eyes were closed, as if deep in thought, before she quickly gained a strengthened glare. She stared down her best friend as she suddenly pointed, one foot slamming upon the earth.
"Alright, Vorpal!" she shouted, "Shadow Sneak!"
From above Ricka, her Pokémon descended. It was a golden-bronze Pokémon, one with a single unblinking purple eye. It's body was nothing more than a sword and shield, and it resonated with such a ghastly aura. Above the ground the Pokémon forever levitated, all the while its eternal gaze sized up Ace like a piece of meat. The Sceptile merely yawned from boredom.
"Aegiiiisssss..." the Royal Sword Pokémon said in a cruel, monotone – yet feminine – manner.
"Scept... tilleeeee..." Ace replied with a yawn.
Suddenly the Agislash – that is Vorpal for those who don't know – flipped around. Her buckler was dislodged from her hold, as it instead slid to the haunted blade's left arm. At that moment, her powerful eye slid into an even heavier glare. Yet her opponent seemed to not notice.
With the skill and deftness capable of cutting down entire strings of opponents in a few slashes, Vorpal swung her entire body at Ace. Her speeds comparable only to shadows, her accuracy at the levels of long-ranged snipers. To put it lightly, there was little to no way of her being dodged.
Ace didn't even bother. At least, that's what it appeared to be at first. Vorpal rose her blade high, ready to strike the Sceptile down in one powerful blow.
Like hell...
PLINK!
If it wasn't for the fact that the living sword was meeting grass instead of steel, the sparks would have surely been flying. Instead, Vorpal found her deadly slash being stopped by the blades on the backs of Ace's arms. He looked at the sword – whose one eye appeared to be stunned – before pushing her back. She quickly rebounded, and attacked Ace again with a flurry of slashes. With the skill befitting him, Ace deflected each and every slash with his arms. The actions were so fast, one could only see a blur from the two Pokémon, as blade met shielded arm.
That was until Ace threw up his hands, pushing Vorpal away with a variable kiai of sorts. And if you don't know what a 'kiai' is. Look it up. From afar, all Ricka could do was face-palm herself. Over and over again.
"Seriously, Ace," she grumbled as she looked back up, "Don't you know how to be a Training Dummy? All you do is get hit by the attack, ya'know!"
Hearing his master's berate, but ignoring it all the same, Ace laid back down on the ground and got comfortable. This made Ricka face-palm herself and roll her eyes. As much as she loves Ace – and she really loves Ace – the Sceptile really knew how to get under her skin.
From behind with starlit eyes however, the redhead's younger sister watched the session. Catching her older sibling in a moment of training was always a sight to behold, especially for young Rei Constant. It happened rarely, and when it did, it was usually when Rei wasn't around. And yet seeing a moment of her sister in a training session was always a sight to truly behold.
Remarkable, that's what it was. Rei found her energy bubbling as she leaped up from the back porch of their home, ready to join in the practice round herself. After all, Constant Box was eerily quiet this afternoon day; when would a moment like this happen again?
"Ricka! Ricka!" Rei shouted as she brought out a Poké Ball, "Rei want's to join! Rei wants to-"
"Coming!" she heard someone shout overhead.
Before Rei could move and join her sister, a being darted right overhead. The gust of wind caused up by the sudden speed force was enough to throw Rei off the staircase, and face-first into grass. She pulled up, spat a few blades of grass from her mouth, then gazed forward.
She stood before her. Well, more like floated before her, with tiny black fists on her hips. The small, lithe, feminine Pokémon. But there was something different about her. Her long flowing airy-hair was not long, flowing nor airy. It was tied up, tamed even, into two pigtails. It gave the Melody Pokémon this somewhat country look. Not to mention as she walked along the ground, grass appeared to grow even stronger.
Rei's face grew slightly lax, as her sister and their Pokémon gazed upon the Legendary Pokémon like she was sent from the heavens above. As she walked into the field, she placed one hand onto her chest, and the other out to the air. Her eyes closed, while her smiling face became composed. And then she began to sing.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
That one melodic tone echoed into everyone's ears, instantly warming their hearts. The normally battle-hardened Ace let loose his warrior ways, as he lowered his arms. It was less like he was training, and more like Meloetta was appealing to his heart. How she did such a thing with a lyric-less song is anyone's guest.
Her hair suddenly began to swarm up. From long and green, it transformed into a deep auburn color right before their eyes. Her eyes too turned read, while her dress split and became like that of a ballerina. Lastly, the spherical blue gem on her forehead turned red and sharp, much like a pyramid.
Ricka said Meloetta could change her body in a way most unlike usual Pokémon. By the simple rumbling of her voice, the Melody Pokémon's entire body could change in a flash. It was simply called a 'Forme Change' and it worked much like a Mega Evolving Pokémon, or how people generally change clothing. But with Meloetta, it was more than just a simple clothes change. It was more like her entire physical being had changed.
"Wonderful!" Meloetta said as she now stood before Ace, making him pull back in surprise, "It's been sooooooo long! Hasn't it, Ace!"
The Pirouette forme.
A visible bulge appeared on the Sceptile's neck, as he swallowed down some spit. Taken aback by his sudden change of opponent, yet taking it nonetheless, he shifted his body to a specific stance. Wind and leaves began to swirl behind him, before suddenly taking the shape of a blade. Ace grabbed said blade, as he readied himself for battle.
At the same time, Meloetta lifted one foot. She began to balance herself up as she faced her foe, while one hand sat on her hip, and the other was pushed out. There was something slightly hypnotic about her stance; much like a Kirlia tiptoeing upon both of its feet.
"What's wrong, Ace!" she called out, with a hand most inviting, "Why don't you try attack me?"
The Sceptile's eye settled more into a glare. Though he took a step forward, he remained heavily weary of his opponent. Years and years of hunting Legendary Pokémon down had taught him many things. The first and most important rule of tracking the mythical creatures down?
Never, ever, underestimate a Legendary Pokémon. No matter how small, weak, or cute looking they may appear to be, they can still be nothing more than earth-shattering behemoths. So as he stared down Meloetta like he had done to many foes before – and would do to many foes after – her, he readied himself for whatever counter she had planned.
"Ricka..."
"Y-yes, Etta?"
"Aren't you going to give a command?"
"Uh... yeah... but for who...?" she replied, before shrugging and pointing, "Ah, fuck it! Ace! Night Slash!"
He stepped forward, his command given. And with blistering speed, he cleared the distance between himself and his foe. Darkness appeared to swirl around his blade while his body began to blur. Erupting toward his enemy, he lashed out with speed and skill.
And immediately proceeded to hit nothing.
Ace's blade struck to strike her head, but the lithe Melody Pokémon merely bent back. The sword careened over her head, missing flawlessly. The Sceptile glared down at her, annoyance on his face, while she smirked back. Immediately, Ace pulled his blade back. Then he began to piston his sword back and forth in multiple stabs and slashes, his arm acting like a machine gun. All the while however, Meloetta dodged each and every attack. With each dodge, she never moved from her standing point. It wasn't like Ace wasn't trying to hit her, he was trying to hit her; he just couldn't.
Meloetta was simply flawless.
She suddenly spun around on her one standing foot, now back-first to her enemy. Ace noticed it too late, as one of his attacks failed to strike her yet again. With complete balance and equilibrium with herself, her body, and her foe, Meloetta performed a kick unlike any other. It struck Ace square in the jaw, making him step back as he clenched it. When he looked back down, the Melody Pokémon was spinning on her foot like a top.
"Ah-ha!" she claimed as she stopped spinning to stand foot, "So much fun! Acey dear! You're so much faster than you used to be!" Meloetta finally put her other foot down as she began to perform a few stretches, "Oh! I can see why no one can outrun your Leaf Blade!"
"Sceptile..." he replied as he sat down, arms crossed thanks to the situation.
"Oh Acey, don't act like that!" she trotted to his side, where in which she placed a small black hand upon his shoulder, "That was a wonderful sparring match! It's been sooooo long since I've had to dodge at such a rate," she suddenly hugged him, and so tightly as well, "Who would've thought that little Treecko from so long ago would become such a strong Sceptile!?"
"Sceptile, scep!" he growled back as he waved his head to and fro, attempting to throw Meloetta away, but only gaining childish giggles from her.
Eventually Ace gave up attempting to throw the Legendary Pokémon away, instead relenting as he crossed his arms and growled some more. To his and even Meloetta's surprise, the two were pulled into another hug. For the two, it was nearly too tight a hug as they could barely breath.
"You know I really love you two, right?" Ricka exclaimed as she hugged her Pokémon, making them somewhat choke.
"I-I know that, Ricka!" Meloetta claimed, "Ack!? Let go, puh-leeeeaaaaase!?"
She didn't however, once more showing off that side of her rarely – if ever – seen by human eyes. And of course, it was only directed toward her. The melodic, angelic, somewhat fairy-like Pokémon she had dreams about.
And oh did Rei detest it. How she craved such attention and affection from her older sister. Rei had learned that Ricka wasn't the most affectionate person in the world. Quite the opposite; getting even an 'I love you' from Ricka could be hard sometimes. When she was on one of her tirades, or if it was just an everyday thing, Rei didn't expect to get love from the woman. Sure, she knew it was there, but a hug? Nope. A kiss on the cheek? From Ricka Constant? Yeah right; like hell.
So it pissed Rei off that Meloetta got such treatment! If it was Ace, or Quest, or Yuri, or Buster, or Vorpal, or Vale, or Leda, or one of her many other Pokémon, then sure! She would accept it; that's just something she does! But the fact that Meloetta got such treatment blew the eleven-year-old's gaskets!
"Huh? Uwaa!?" Pichu said as she was suddenly tugged along by her Trainer, riding closely on her shoulder, "R-Rei!? Where are we going!?"
"We're going to see Celebi!" she replied, showing a considerable amount of annoyance in the situation, so much so that the Tiny Mouse Pokémon quickly piped down.
"Well... oh... okay..."
…
Here, she always felt safe. It was like her home away from home; it was even better than sitting up in the tree's canopies! Here, in this area, the eleven-year-old felt like she was completely at ease. There was no one nowhere who could get to this area, unless they knew their way around the forests. And even then, it often appeared as if the trees and the woods worked against wanderers, disallowing them to find this most sacred place.
Celebi's Shrine. Only a rare few – those being Ricka, Rei, and maybe Shun – know where this place is. It's meant for the eyes of only a few, and only one get's to decide who those 'few' are. Rei was most definitely one of them.
She stopped swinging, instead leaping off as she reached an area swathed with tree roots. It was a circular area, and not all that big as well. So many trees were around in this heavy crowded area, so when one stepped in, they would find themselves walking on the tree's roots instead of the grass. And the roots were so elaborately strewn all around the place, appearing to be more like walkways if anything.
And in the middle of it all was a small box. It sat on four legs, and appeared to be an elaborately made shrine. In whatever age it was built that is, for now it had long been worn down by the ravages of time. It's original coloring and hue was lost now, as grass and vines were growing within it, and its wood had been weakened. And yet it was still a strong little shrine, as if empowered by a mystical force. The doors even still worked on it.
Whenever Rei came here, she felt so lively. And kinda tired, which would be an oxymoron. Kinda...
Anyway, she felt so lively. Stepping upon tree roots seemed to empower her with energy. The sound of her foot stepping upon wood always melted her heart; it was like she could feel the tree's breathing beneath her body. Yeah, and the smell reminded her of her homes in the forests. This place always appeared to be more natural, than everywhere else. If such a thing is possible, of course.
But she didn't just come here to get away from the Box, though that was half of it as well. The eleven-year-old came here to be with the one being that would show her love unlike anyone else. Sure, Ricka could have fun with her Legendary Pokémon all she wanted; Rei was going to have fun with her own.
With Pichu leaping off to roam the area's floor, Rei put her hands to her lips and pursed them.
"Celebi!" she shouted, "Rei's here!"
"And did you hear Shaymin? He makes such an overestimation of everything!"
"That's why I like him in his Land Forme... he's way easier to deal with..."
Rei's face went blank. She recognized both voices, really. One of them was Celebi, the other was her's. Rei slowly and meekly gazed over Celebi's Shrine to see two Legendary Pokémon speaking. They sat on two branches, ones that acted like seats. And between them was a root, which acted like a table.
There was Celebi. The wonderful, heavenly, angelic, Legendary Pokémon that represented Time Travel. And sitting oppose to her was Meloetta. The wonderful, heavenly, angelic, Legendary Pokémon that represented Melodies. Who was back in her Aria Forme, might I add. Here they both were, talking with one another without a care in the world. Laughing and giggling, without even noticing Rei was there.
"It's like," Meloetta said with laughs, "Whenever he transforms into that Sky Forme or whatever he calls it, he becomes Superman! He thinks he can do anything!"
"I've been raising flowers from the dead for longer than he's been in existence," Celebi claimed as she crossed her arms and closed her eyes, "But sometimes, I think Shaymin thinks he can do it better than me... he couldn't even stop Virizion; whether he be in Land Forme or Sky Forme."
Meloetta laughed at the joke, before her eye's glanced over briefly. She caught sight of the indigo-haired child behind the shrine, giving a quick giggle.
"Oh! Oh! Rei dear!" the Melody Pokémon said as she waved at her, "Come on over! Celebi and I were just gossiping about our peers. Care to join us?"
"E-E-Etta-chan knows Celebi?" the child responded, stunned by the situation.
"Well of course, Rei dear," the Time Travel Pokémon answered, "All Legendary Pokémon know each other. You think Mew and I just know each other because we went to high-school together?" Rei cocked her head, "Ugh... sarcasm still... doesn't make since to you, does it?"
Rei fastened herself in place, absolutely stunned by what she was seeing. She thought she could find solace here, of all places. A place away from Etta-chan, who was rapidly becoming the center of attention in all of the Box. But, nope, not even here could she be free of the Melody Pokémon's all-consuming vortex. Wherever she went, there was Meloetta. Smiling, or making others smile, because she was just so uber-perfect!
"AAAAAHHHHHH!" the eleven-year-old shouted at the two Legendary Pokémon, making them pull back from one another.
Before either side could say a thing, she was dashing out of the area like a Zebstrika with Max EVs in speed. Pichu didn't even run; she instead gave a sigh, before scurrying off to chase her trainer. Once more, Meloetta and Celebi were left alone in this area, with neither side saying a word for quite sometime.
"I wonder what's gotten into her..." Meloetta said.
"It's probably your fault..." Celebi replied, "It's always your fault..."
…
Maybe she overreacted there a bit. Screaming and running out of the forest like that? Kind of too much, right? She didn't mean too; it was entirely instinctive. Gallade taught her to make loud noises and to run whenever something just didn't feel right, or when she felt threatened. Or maybe that was Tropius who taught her that. Hell, it might've been Ricka.
No, wait, Ricka said scream when someone touches her in specific places.
All in all, Rei felt kinda bad. She was laying in her bed with the moon peering through her window. Hovering at the window, staring off into the darkness of the night sky, was Rei's very own Misdreavus. The Screech Pokémon had the tendency to glare off into darkness for no reason, which was quite creepy in its own right. When sensing Rei's distress, she turned around and faced her Trainer. Then cocked her head.
"Dreavus?" she asked.
"Rei's fine," the child replied as she looked away, "Uh... give Rei a few seconds, she'll be back..."
She got up from her bed, then tiptoed over the resting bodies of her various Pokémon. She nearly stepped upon Yuri's backhead, since the Mawile was resting with Pichu tonight. Walking into the hall, Rei attempted to be as silent as possible. She still caused a loud 'CREEEEEEK!' noise to echo, however. Her eyes darted left and right as she stared along the darkened hall, before dropping her eyes on Ricka's door.
She was about to push inside, but quickly thought against it. She figured Meloetta would be there, resting with her older sister. That caused a pit to form in Rei's heart, actually. She felt like the Melody Pokémon was – somehow – replacing her.
This was stupid. She needed to go back to her bed and go to sleep. But then she heard this sound resonating from down the hall. It was wonderful, melodic, but also so extremely sad. It triggered a deep wailing within Rei's soul, making her want to tear up.
It was the same feeling she had at Mrs. Carol's funeral, only not as bad. Rei found her feet bringing her further and further down the hall, and closer to the upstairs living room. The low mournful singing appeared to grow stronger the deeper down the hall she traveled. Dragging a finger against the bottom of her eye, Rei found she was crying a little; her nose was even growing clogged. But it made no sense as to why she acted this way, as there was nothing for her to cry about.
She stopped. The wide window of the second floor which stared over all of Constant Box had its curtains rolled to the side. The gleaming stars could be seen, as they brought such great light to the night sky. But the window was broken by a single being, one who sat perched on the window's seats. Her black dress unusually long, covering the milk-white legs beneath. The midriff of her body was a pale and ghastly grey, matching with her hair, which had changed as well. Instead of being long and flowing, it was tamed into two mighty pigtails.
It was Meloetta, but it wasn't Meloetta. After all, she only has but two forms. Or, 'formes'. But this was different. Rei found herself recognizing this forme, though she knew she shouldn't have. In this state, the music she let flow from her lips was nothing but saddening. Regretful, mournful, lamenting, longing; sadness simply oozed from the depressing song. There wasn't even lyrics within them, it was just a tone. And yet Meloetta made sure to pour her entire heart and soul into that tone.
That is until her eyes opened. And she stopped. Meloetta gazed at Rei and she looked back, before the eleven-year-old gazed away. This made Meloetta giggle, who then waved her hand a bit.
"Rei!" she called, putting a lovely smile on her face, "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
"Etta-chan...?" Rei answered instead, making the Melody Pokémon cock her head and go 'Hm?' "What was Etta-chan singing?"
"Oh dear," Meloetta said as she hopped down from her seat to walk over to her, "Rei... do you know what a dirge is?" the child shook her head no, "A dirge is a form of song. It's... sad; normally performed a funeral. I like dirges, Rei. They're so emotional and powerful... when its sung, you can really feel what the performer is feeling, you understand?"
"Is... Etta-chan sad?" Rei asked next, "Because... Etta-chan's song makes Rei feel sad..."
"Kinda..." Meloetta replied as she looked up to the eleven-year-old girl, "I can feel how people and Pokémon are feeling through the sound of their voices. When you hear mine's... what do you feel, Rei?"
She cocked her head at Meloetta's question. Of course she couldn't feel anything from Meloetta's voice; she didn't have psychic powers or anything like that. But she could read faces. And Meloetta looked so sad. That didn't make any sense though. What did Meloetta have to be sad about? She had Ricka, which was something she wanted for so long, right? Then what had her so hurt?
"Why is Etta-chan sad?" Rei inquired, shivering a bit.
"Why is Rei sad?" she asked next, "I can feel it in your voice and see it in your movements. You've been avoiding me as of late, Rei dear. And in your voice, you feel so... jealous..." her eyes bent down in an unhappy gaze, "Am I making you sad, Rei? Am I hurting you in some way?"
Rei didn't say anything. Instead, she decided to choose her next words very wisely. If Meloetta could really feel her emotions within her voice, then lying would only cause my trouble if anything. Was it best to just tell the truth? Ricka taught her to always tell the truth, even though the redhead lied herself ever so often. So what should she do?
"Etta-chan..." Rei murmured as she looked down, "Etta... chan is... replacing Rei..."
"Huh?" the Melody Pokémon replied, stunned by what she just heard, "R-Rei, what do you mea... oooohhhh..." Meloetta looked off, fingers on her chin, as she began to ponder the child's words, "I'm replacing you, hm?" she then began to laugh, as if Rei had told a joke, "Oh, Rei! That's simply so wrong! I couldn't replace you anymore than Ricka could replace Ace with another Sceptile!"
"Since Etta-chan's come here, Ricka's had no time for Rei," the eleven-year-old stated, "She's always having fun with Etta-chan. She's feeding Etta-chan, training with Etta-chan..." her face scrunched up a bit, "A lot of things Ricka used to do with Rei, but doesn't anymore. She even sleeps with Etta-chan..."
"Rei, Rei, dear?" Meloetta then said as she listened to her plea, "Ricka is not replacing you with me. Believe me..." she smiled a bit, though it was solemn, "Ricka cares about you too much to simply replace you with someone else, let alone me," she giggled some more, "I think you're simply letting your mind get to you."
"That's not true!" Rei practically shouted, shaking Meloetta in her feet, "Ricka is treating Etta-chan far different from how Ricka treats Rei! Ricka doesn't use bad words around Etta-chan, Ricka doesn't yell at Etta-chan, and Ricka goes out of her way to make Etta-chan happy..."
"Rei..." she smiled, while her small hands began to squeeze on Rei's hand, "You have no idea what you do for Ricka. You are more important to Ricka than I could ever be, you know. I'm just Ricka's friend. And while I'd love to be seen as a family member, I know I'm not one, and can never be one. But you, Rei? You're Ricka's sister. You've given Ricka something so important, that I simply cannot fathom it..."
"Wh-what is it?" Rei asked, making Meloetta's lips grow into a bigger smile.
"You don't understand it yet, because you're still a child. But you'll learn more about it as you grow up..." she floated up to pat the child's head, "I'm not trying to replace you, Rei. And before you know it, things in the Box will go right back to normal. Ricka will be cursing, and treating me just like she treats you. So there's always that. You shouldn't worry for too long, Rei."
"Etta-chan..."
"HEY!" they suddenly heard echo through the walls, "Errrr! Etta! Rei! Shut the fuck up out there! I've gotta helluva lot of shit to do tomorrow, so I need my sleep, dammit!"
"See what I mean?" she asked as she rubbed her head again.
Meloetta turned around and flew into the hall, where in which Rei heard the Melody Pokémon and her sister having an argument of course. Rei started walking back to her room, where in which she noticed a pair of beads floating toward her. The beads revealed to be hanging around the neck of a ghastly Pokémon, one who held a mischievous smile as well.
"Dreavus?" the Screech Pokémon said to her Trainer, making Rei giggle.
"I guess... Rei was being a tad bit childish..." she replied as she walked back to her room, "Rei's tired too..."
She walked into her room, taking a glance over at her sister's door. Smiling, she entered her room.
Being jealous of Meloetta was simply silly.
Maverick Talks!
So here it is. That little present/project I referenced over in CB.
Welcome to '2nd Act' a story that's not really a sequel to Constant Box, despite what the name may say. It's just an attempt to return to the old ways, whilst keeping up the story regular CB has gained. With 2nd Act, Animegirl426 and I will attempt to keep writing stories for CB, in that good old fashion episodic forms. I really wanted this story (or collection I guess), to give us the freedom to not only write a lot of ideas we had planned, but to also take in those OC submissions from before.
But that's for another day.
This chapter was an idea I had years ago for CB, where depicting Meloetta's stay with Ricka and Rei. While the Melody Pokemon has become somewhat of a recurring character, I wanted a chapter to show how antsy things could be when she was first around. Specifically with Rei. I mean, Ricka is never showing love, except to her Pokemon. And while Meloetta - kinda - considers herself one of Ricka's Pokemon, no one really sees her as such. So I wanted this chapter to show how Rei could feel slightly challenged by the Legendary Pokemon, ya see?
But that's enough of that. Just so you know, these stories will be more episodic, and unconnected, like CB used to be. But before we get another episode of '2nd Act', I have to go update normal CB.
Let's face it, CB get's first priority.
But that being said, yes, you can send in OC Submissions again. If you'd like.
Mm-hm... like to good old days...
Keep your head up!
Maverick Kay Prime