Author's Note:

Sorry for uploading this at such an awkward time at night. I've been struggling to get chapter 24 into a manageable state so I don't have the tendency to scrap it when I review it later. Anyways, I'm still not sure if I'm 100% happy with this chapter. I struggled a lot to find that "magic aliveness" I strive for in my writing. There's a lot of important foreshadowing in this chapter, and it was really hard for me to describe the characters without spoiling anything important. I would definitely appreciate any feedback on this.

Today is 6/7/2015 (sorry) and this chapter is 600+ words.


Chapter 4: Uncertain Futures

Katherine, often known as simply "Kat", was another of Kieren's best friends. Although they were the same age, Kat was somewhat of an outcast since she dropped out of training several years ago. She had very little motivation to become strong, as her older brother Solano - a jolteon like Celestia - was to be Celestia's successor.

Kieren didn't have to look very long to find her. She was at her favorite spot by the lake making decorations for the ceremony - quite predictable for her character. He caught a glimpse of her reserved figure underneath a mossy cliff that protected her from the wind, yet caught the sunlight bouncing off the lake.

"Hey, Kat," said Kieren upon entering the shallow shelter. He tossed her a branch spotted with newly ripened oran berries. "I brought you lunch."

"Thanks," Kat expressed. "Congratulations by the way," she added as she ripped off a berry from Kieren's branch. "I hope the ceremony goes well."

"Did your mother tell you?" Kieren asked.

"More like I overheard when I went to look at the decorations list."

"Yep. Still not talking," Kieren thought to himself. He glanced over to the nearby pier just to make sure Celestia wasn't around. She wasn't.

"Are you participating too?" Kieren asked.

"Nope, and I don't plan to anytime soon."

Kieren's face dropped with disappointment, despite the fact he had correctly guessed what her response would be.

"So what element are you becoming?" Kat turned and asked excitedly.

Kieren shrugged.

"Do you even want to be an element?" Kat inquired, her pitch rising to express her misperception of the situation.

"Well, I want to be something, but none of the elements really appeal to me," Kieren confessed.

"You shouldn't have tried," Kat sassed. She swept her head to the side for emphasis.

"I'm not following my father's poor example!" Kieren scowled. Kat's expression grew serious as she recognized Kieren's dilemma. An awkward moment of silence followed.

As an attempt to calm himself, Kieren gazed around at his surroundings. The walls and ceiling were well lit by the reflected sun, displaying the iconic rocky mixture of red, brown, and silver. In the shadows of the right wall protruded a white, puffy mixture of material. Kieren wasn't sure if it was marble or a white moss. He glanced back at Kat.

"You know, Kieren, it's not like I don't want to evolve either, "Kat began. Kieren raised an eyebrow. "But I've always wanted to be something unique," Kat finally muttered, "something no one else is. I'm staying the way I am until I am one hundred percent certain I can become that."

Kieren began to ponder what Kat could possibly become, but she didn't let his thoughts travel far.

"Don't worry about what is going to make you the strongest, make your decision based on what will make you the happiest," she told him firmly.

Kieren thought about it. Was that really what he was pursuing, strength? If that was his only criteria, then he would have made his decision. However, there were other factors, factors that harassed and tormented the eevee from any clear conclusion. Kat's opinion wasn't just good advice, but was really Kieren's only option. Only problem was, Kieren wasn't ready. He pondered over and over what would truly make him happy, but was ripped from his thoughts by a desperate cry across the lake.

"Poachers! Poachers! Everyone gather for defense!" Kieren's ears perked in instant alarm. He glanced at Kat and saw she had copied his very movements, her face a completely new tone of apprehension staring back into his eyes. As if by instinct, the two eevee darted off without another word.


Author's Note: Well there it is, the toughest 600 word chapter I think I will ever have to write (hopefully). Please let me know if it's up to par with the other three! By the way, did anyone predict a curve ball coming at the end of this chapter? I really think you will enjoy the upcoming chapters. I really do. Don't forget to review this and the next chapter, because you definitely will not want to wait for chapter 6 after reading chapter 5!

Also I have an extra incentive for you. If for some reason you decide to blow me away with extra helpful reviews, there's a chance I will dedicate an extra day biweekly towards writing more Moon on the Water. For every chapter I finish on those days, I will post an extra chapter for you. And there's no shame in going back to review previous chapters if you want to point out a favorite sentence or two. Sorry for the long author's note. Enjoy the summer. And if your jolteon wakes you up all excited to go outside, stay dry! ~Dreaming I'm Latios