The Book of Mal
Chapter Three: I am Rite of Passage

Mal felt something was…off.

For the past few weeks, he could see his parents whispering to each other and sometimes glancing at him. His brother Cassiel told him not to worry, before usually dragging him to go do something with him, but Mal felt that something had happened and that it involved Mal.

In fact, it had happened around the time Raphael had told him he was going to go on a pokémon journey with his twin Eevee, Sola and Lune, who had been with his friend since as long as the other could remember, and after the Kanto Charter had announced they believed Raphael ready for the journey.

Wondering at the coincidence of it, he idly mixed the batter he was working on, so that he could create a set of muffins for the patients at the Celadon Hospital, in the cancer ward.

"Siro, may I have another egg?" he asked his friend –the birthday after his hostage incident at Kalos, his parents had gotten him an egg which had hatched into Happiny. They'd hoped having the pokémon would not only help his health in the long run, but help in emergencies as like what happened, when he had had that attack and didn't have his inhaler on him.

But it has also had the benefit of getting Mal interested in medicine and doing some work in the medical field. He'd learned about it with his Happiny, who'd evolved and evolved through the years until she became a Blissey who often gave eggs for Mal to snack on or mothered him in some way.

Once his Blissey had handed him one of her eggs, Mal dutifully dropped it into the mixture and crushed it with the wooden spoon he'd been using to mix. When he finished, he could bring it to the hospital and hand it out to the patients that he hoped would not only get to enjoy something delicious, but was healthy in some way and would make them feel good as well.

"Mal, are you in the kitchens?" he heard his mother call out.

"Yes, I'm in here, Mother," he replied, raising his voice slightly louder to get her attention.

His mother entered the kitchens, practically gliding as she smiled beautifully at him when she saw him. Her hair was in an elegant French updo that Mal was proud to remember he'd helped with, while she was currently wearing a well-designed pearl-white chiffon blouse and gray flare business pants. She was probably going to go out for business later.

"I wanted to talk to you about something, Mal," she said, accepting an egg from an eager Sirona, his Blissey always being helpful and thoughtful.

"What's wrong, Mother?" he asked, putting down his mixture and spoon.

"But first," his mother grinned suddenly, taking a phone and aiming it at him, wanting a picture of her son in his apron and looking homely in his kitchen.

Inwardly rolling his eyes, Mal smiled slightly at the phone, causing his mother to giggle slightly.

"Oh, you've grown up so much, Mal," his mother said, sounding oddly wistful. That made Mal really hesitant and wondering what was wrong. "Sweetheart, you know Raphael's going on his journey, right? The Kanto Charter has been anxious of his start, and determined that he's ready."

"Yes," he answered with a frown, wondering what she was leading up to.

"Your father and I were thinking it might be a good idea for you to go with Raphael," Laylah said gently. "You're 15 now. You're always so cooped down at your lab, and though we know you're fine going out and being social, we think you going on a journey would be good for you, and you could go experience the world, grow up and mature some more…"

Mal didn't show anything on his face, but inwardly he was feeling torn. On one hand, he had no real desire to go out on a journey, but on the other hand it wouldn't seem so bad and might even be fun. He would be traveling with his best friend after all. It could be more like a fun road trip or something.

"As you wish, Mother. I'll go with Raphael," he agreed amiably, giving his mother a small smile.

She beamed happily at him. "That's fantastic! I'll make sure your father knows. You should let Raphael know, see if he doesn't mind a travel companion and all."

"I will."

His mother was leaving then, probably to call his father at work. Then she turned at last minute, when she was at the door and looking very hesitant.

"Oh…Mal, you'll probably be traveling with another companion, a girl –Sonia Darkin."

Mal blinked and opened his mouth to question his mother, but his mother had already left. He shook his head, and went back to his baking. He finished up there and waited for the muffins to bake, and then he had them all neatly put away in a basket, and he and Sirona left the kitchens together. On his way through his home, Teddi and Su Lin found their way onto his shoulders, and they were all traveling together when they ran into Cassiel.

"Ah! Mal!" his brother enthusiastically and tackled him into a hug.

"Careful now," he said softly, holding his basket up, while Sirona caught him from behind. Su Lin toppled off of his shoulder, but managed to catch his arm.

Cassiel let go and backed off, seeing the basket. "Oh, are you going to the hospital?"

Mal nodded and Cassiel bit his lip, glancing at the basket shyly.

"Can I have one?" he asked hesitantly.

Mal laughed lightly and took a muffin, handing it to his brother. "Of course, Cassiel. There's more in the kitchen, if you want, as well. I'll come see you later."

Although, he would have to look up this Sonia Darkin too, while he was at it. Possibly find out why his mother was so hesitant to mention her also.

At the hospital, he was surprised to find that Celadon's Nurse Joy was also in the cancer ward, although he'd run into her in the children's wing. He'd passed out the muffins to the older patients, and came here as a last stop, though spotting Celadon Joy was a nice surprise.

"Hello, Nurse Joy," Mal smiled slightly, bowing to her.

"Always so polite and formal," Celadon Joy laughed. "Hello to you too, Mal!"

He handed her a muffin, surprising her. She gave him thanks, which he accepted as he walked along and turned his attention towards the children that had excitedly run up to him. He smiled a little more widely, handing them out to the kids in good cheer. Once he was done, the kids sat together and ate, chattering to each other and being entertained by Mal's pokémon. He then returned back to Celadon Joy's side, the both of them watching the kids.

"You're always so good with kids, Mal," she commented, watching them fondly.

"They're sweet and fragile," he murmured softly. "I like to think I could be there for them, if they need someone to be."

"Definitely good with people, even though you tend to stay away and be in your lab and with machines," she turned towards him with a smile. "Anyway, I just wanted to give you this."

She handed him a card, his medical credentials flashing up at him.

"This is your medical field license, so you can help people and pokémon on the road when you go on your journey."

He raised his eyebrows. "Did everyone know about me going on a journey before I did?"

"Probably," she teased him. She ruffled his crimson hair. "Do us nurses proud, Mal."

He inclined his head towards her.

"Of course, milady."

Together, they looked over the kids until the kids had to rest. She went back to the Pokémon Center and he went back home, only to find both of parents in the living room and apparently waiting for him.

"Mother, Father," he bowed slightly. "Is something the matter?"

"Not at all," Gabriel smiled warmly at him. "We wanted to give you some things for your journey actually."

His father took out a small box that Mal opened and found a sundial necklace inside. It had a laurel leaf design, which Mal knew was a nod to Leaf, as was the words "Carpe Diem" inscribed on the inside (given how she was the type to "Seize the Day", which was the family's motto as well).

"As for me, I wanted to give you this bracelet," his mother held out a bracelet that doubled as a watch. It had six different wraps, four dark green leather ones in the middle that held the watch piece, and a wrap underneath that comprised of different sized beads and a metal leaf charm, and the top wrap was an emerald colored leather wrap in a snake-like pattern.

"Thank you," he told them sincerely, feeling warmed by the gifts.

"I want to give you something too," Cassiel appeared, holding some goggles. "Dad said these were yours from a long time ago, that cousin Leaf gave it for your birthday."

That surprised Mal, who looked at his father. Gabriel nodded, though he looked hesitant. Taking the goggles that had been a gift from a cousin he had never met but had always treasured and wished to meet, he saw that the style was more steampunk than anything else, and had cogs and gears on the sides of the frames, and magnifying lenses attached to the lens. Curious, he took the elastic strap and stretched it over his head, putting it on. Looking through the dark welding goggle lens, he could see the double eye loupes that were magnifying lenses were fully functional and were clip-ons (so they were easily removable).

"They fit you now," Gabriel commented, his voice slightly sad.

Mal smiled slightly at his father. "They do. I like them. I like all of the gifts, so thank you all."

"You might want to think of your own appreciative gifts for your traveling companions," his mother suggested.

Mal hmmed in thought, idly rubbing his thumb on the gear ring he'd made, twisting the top and making the gears turn. He glanced at it and got an idea.

"I will, Mother. I actually think I have an idea for those gifts already."

Mal tinkered at his desk, his workshop –for once –rather messy. He'd clean it up soon enough. Most of the time, he got restless at seeing a mess, and the basement in which his workshop was kept in was no exception.

At the moment he wasn't alone. His best friend was currently pacing a hole into his concrete floor, but Mal chose not to push him. When Raphael chose to start ranting to him, he'd listen. But until then, he'll wait patiently for the other to start.

"I can't believe it! Why do I need to travel with someone? I'm perfectly fine on my own!"

"I'm traveling with you as well," he reminded the other sardonically.

"And of all people," Raphael continued on, ignoring him. "It has to be Sonia Darkin. Do you know the Darkin family hates my family? I don't even know why!"

Mal cleared his throat lightly. "You haven't met her yet, right? Perhaps she's...not that bad."

Raphael deflated quickly. "Yeah, maybe. You're right. I haven't met her yet. Maybe...maybe she's alright."

Mal gave a faint smile, which was returned by Raphael's half-grin.

"At least you'll be coming along, Mal."

Mal tipped an imaginary hat towards his friend, before placing a final piece to the work he'd been working on. He then handed it over to Raphael, who took it in surprise.

"For you," Mal closed his friend's hand around the stainless steel watch. "As an appreciation for my company in the journey, and mine appreciation towards your presence."

"And because I'm an awesome friend," Raphael said and grinned cheekily.

"'And because you're an awesome friend,'" Mal repeated sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Raphael snickered, putting on the watch around his wrist.

Mal flattened his burgundy blazer over his russet turtleneck, brushing lint off of the beige accents on his blazer. He sat on the bed and bent down, his black slacks stretching as he reached to retie his plain black Oxfords.

"Ready, Mal?" his brother's voice sounded from the door.

He looked and smiled slightly at his younger brother. "Almost," he answered quietly, grabbing his steampunk goggles and hanging them around his neck. He then grabbed his pair of black Kevlar gloves, tugging them on and then going to his brother's side.

His brother hugged him tightly. "I'm going to miss you."

"I as well," Mal pulled back and ruffled his hair. "Work hard, alright? I know you'll be starting your journey next year, so we'll probably run into each other soon enough."

The two of them headed down then, and Mal was met with a crying but smiling mother, who hugged him tightly to her.

"Oh, Mal. I almost want to tell you not to go," Laylah murmured. She moved away, kissing his forehead.

Gabriel took her place and hugged him as well. "Do us proud, Mal. Enjoy life while you're out there."

Mal nodded and his father handed him his pack. Then he was led outside, to where Raphael and his friend's mother was waiting by their car.

"Long car ride?" he asked his friend wryly.

Raphael grinned at him. "Long car ride."

And from Celadon City to Pallet Town, it was indeed a long ride. Several stops had to be taken, but Aileena, Raphael's mother, drove straight through. At the last stop they took, Aileena announced she needed some coffee desperately. She stretched and yawned.

"I'm going to need a long nap after this," Aileena declared.

Raphael snickered at his mother, turning to Mal. "Glad I'm not the one driving."

Mal echoed his agreement, and went with him to find something to eat. Soon enough, they were back to driving to Pallet, and they made it to the famous Professor Oak's lab late morning on a rather cold day.

"Ugh, finally we're here," Raphael groaned in the car, cracking his neck. His twin Eevee jumped onto his lap, and Mal's own pokémon waved from their respective perches on Mal.

Stepping out of the car, Mal straightened up, his prim posture making an appearance despite the long and uncomfortable car ride he had to endure. Looking around curiously, his eyes caught sight of the lab and he remembered the professor was related to Blue. He held back a sneer, but couldn't help feeling resentful. Instead, he focused on looking around in slight awe of being near one of the most famous labs in the world, and its equally famous Professor Oak. Despite who he was related to, he truly wanted to meet the professor and talk to him.

Raphael told him they were heading up to the laboratory, so he made to follow. His malachite green eyes caught sight of a girl watching their group darkly, and made a guess that it was probably Sonia Darkin –extraordinary Psychic and a student of Sabrina.

When Raphael's mother introduced him, he gave a nod and listened in closely to the talks. Sonia seemed visibly irritated, and given the current situation, he wondered if it was not perhaps best to wrap this up quickly.

He almost went to snatch Raphael's hand when he introduced himself to Sonia, but kept it by his side instead. He would prefer not to bring too much attention to the situation, and Sonia would probably more easily explain.

And given when she introduced herself irritably as a Psychic, confirming what Mal had researched, he decided that perhaps it would be best to give her distance at the moment, since she might not be too happy with the attention put on her. However, realizing that there would be no way to just leave and drag Raphael with him without it looking odd –and Raphael was doing a fine job just talking to her and somehow 'prodding her with a stick' –Mal decided he needed to find a way to get them to talk peacefully.

Because most of the tension was developing between the two of them, and Sonia was getting increasingly agitated and Raphael wasn't getting the clue.

It was like a volcano waiting to erupt and Mal was stuck to the ground, probably as some kind of sacrifice.

'Sarcasm not helping, Mal,' he told himself.

Then Raphael asked about Sonia's mother, and he just knew that somehow shit had started to hit the metaphorical fan (excuse his language). He tried a quick interjection, that sort of distracted them, but then Raphael talked about getting a Squirtle and Sonia went off and said what was probably really on Raphael's mind about choosing more pokémon.

While he was uneasy about Sonia getting all that from Raphael's mind, he was more uneasy about the feeling he got of what was coming up after all this. He was relieved when Raphael practically dragged him away from Sonia, but groaned inwardly as his friend got worked up and started a rant about the girl.

But then his friend gasped and Raphael's eyes widened. Frowning, he reached over to touch Raphael.

"Raphael?"

All of a sudden his friend was responsive again, flinching back from Mal and looking shaken. He saw his friend glance at Sonia, and the pieces clicked together in his head. He stepped away from Raphael and headed over to Sonia, opening his mouth to apologize for his friend.

"Apology accepted," the other nodded and turned away from him. "But next time I'm not taking it unless it comes from your hot-headed friend himself."

Mal closed his mouth firmly, inclining his head to her.

Just then Professor Oak appeared, and though Raphael was clearly excited, Mal also couldn't help a tinge of excitement as well.

Still, his first impression of Professor Oak was one of bemusement, even if he was a bit amused as well. And if the man did tend to forget Blue's name, he wasn't above being petty to enjoy that.

At the choosing of pokémon, though he had never had any plans for any, Su Lin nipped at his ear and Teddi harshly thumped his head against his back in reminder. If anything, if he chose to get any pokémon, those two would have to pick at them and see if they fit in. His pokémon were particularly possessive and very concerned over him, so they liked to take everything into account.

He was bemused again though, when Oak hadn't forgotten his name like he had Raphael and Sonia's, as they picked out their pokédexes. Perhaps it was because his name was so short?

Then he was watching in curiosity and slight awe as Sonia practiced a Psychic ability. But his awe was nothing compared to the woman's who entered next.

Vivian Fennel, her nametag read.

Mal glanced at the door. It had been at least half an hour so far, since the two females entered Oak's office. He hadn't heard a peep from them, but he was getting a bad feeling.

Currently, the adults were engaged in some kind of discussion about pokémon and business, while Raphael had wanted to go check out the pokémon in the Corral. He'd been tempted to go with him, but he felt oddly worried about this situation.

He'd noticed the adults were all tense, especially Oak and Sonia's mother Yannoa. He hadn't been blind to the fact that Sonia clearly hadn't wanted to go with Fennel and answer questions. He was also aware of the Psychic situation, where there were those who were extremely prejudiced against them.

Fennel hadn't seemed the type, but Mal could see she was still obviously a scientist and had a clinical view of things, even in that short meeting with her before she went and dragged Sonia off. Sighing, he took a chair and turned it towards the door, taking off his blazer and going to put it on the back of the chair when he heard a gasp.

"Your jacket," Yannoa started. "Is that –what material is that?"

Mal blinked and looked at his blazer, focusing on the inside where Olympia had stitched the galaxy pattern fabric in.

"It's the same fabric that Olympia of Kalos makes her cloak out of," Aileena answered for him. "They met when he was younger, and she tends to give him things made of the same material."

Just as Raphael came back in the room, looking eager about something, there was a loud scream coming from Oak's office. Without another thought, Mal bolted towards it and forced it open, slamming his shoulder against the door and breaking it to expose the inside, where Sonia and Fennel looked exhausted, and heaving great breaths at the two glared at each other.

Yannoa slipped passed him and stormed in.

"What's going on in here?!" she yelled angrily.

He stayed quiet, observing as Sonia and Fennel screamed at each other and accused the other of things, but internally he was thinking of the anti-Psychic movement.

Right here and now, there was a clear example of the movement being argued within walls, and not just in the streets and on the forums. As Sonia left furiously, he observed the female that was left. Yannoa looked awkward around Aileena, seeming unsure what to do or say after her daughter's display. Aileena was clearly doing her best to be polite and keep silent on the matter, while Raphael looked at him and shrugged. Over by the desk, Fennel and Oak seemed to have gone into a quiet, whispered argument.

"If I may," he interrupted, smiling politely. "I believe all three of us had gotten interrupted as we were getting ready for our journey. It's getting late, so may I suggest that we find lodgings to stay in and start traveling in the morning? If it's no trouble."

Aileena looked outside in surprise. "Oh! It has gotten late."

Oak looked contrite. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. It has gotten late indeed, but at least the only thing left would be for me to hand you three some pokéballs for your journey. I suppose that can be done in the morning? It is late, so may I offer my home to you all?"

Yannoa stayed quiet, but Aileena accepted the offer. Neither Raphael nor Mal had anything to oppose, so they nodded to agree as well. After all, they were leaving for their journey in the morning. There was no rush to leave, and really any need to look around for someplace.

"I will let Sonia know," Yannoa said.

Aileena decided that she'd probably need to take a shower after such a long drive over the days, while Raphael told him he was going to get them a room to bunk in together. By that time, Oak had also decided he probably needed to inform some others of the guests staying over.

Which left Fennel and Mal still in the room.

The young woman still looked shaken, but Mal observed her indifferently.

"Oh, you're still here?" she gave him a shaky smile, still unnerve with her encounter with Sonia

He smiled faintly and bowed slightly. "Malcolm Thrones, if you didn't remember, Miss Fennel."

Her cheeks blushed faintly red, probably because of his behavior. "Oh! So polite. Men these days aren't usually so gentlemanly or courteous. Please, just call me Vivian."

Mal nodded and walked over slowly, pausing just at arm's length from her. He glanced out the office's window.

"It's pretty outside, isn't it?" he said suddenly, causing her to start suddenly.

She glanced outside, blinking behind her glasses. "It is," she agreed, slowly calming down and letting herself not think of what had just happened.

"But the cherry blossoms have already died," Mal murmured. "What a shame."

He turned to her and held out his hand to her, and she curiously but shyly took it, and Mal wasn't blind to see the effect he was having on her. Admittedly, it was partly purposeful, and somewhat manipulative of him.

"Did you know that cherry blossoms are usually associated with mortality? They're so beautiful, and yet they're so transient. They live and then have such quick deaths." He took a permanent marker from Oak's desk, and uncapped it. Then he started to trace a pretty cherry motif of a cherry blossom on her palm.

"Their petals were originally white," Mal explained, looking up at her then with a slight smile. "It is said that a corpse was buried under a cherry blossom tree, and the white petals were stained pink."

He watched her flinch, and so closed her hand slowly. With her still watching him, he turned her hand over and kissed her knuckles.

"How many corpses will you bury, Miss Vivian?"

She gasped, though she still had red cheeks that he subtly had purposefully drawn from her (was that cruel of him? Perhaps), and he straightened up, giving a small bow. He headed towards the door, pausing by it. He turned to face her one last time.

"I do hope that you don't end up staining the cherry blossoms red."

After leaving Fennel behind, Mal had gone to outside of the lab and sat on the porch irritably. He gritted his teeth and ran a hand through his hair, though his crimson locks were quick to fall forward again. He breathed in deeply through his nose.

He'd been needlessly cruel and manipulative, knowingly drawing Fennel into feeling safe and comforted by him, and willingly pulling at her affections. But she had done something that had upset Sonia, and as someone who Mal –like with Raphael –he'd immediately taken to and felt a connection, he'd somehow unconsciously taken her in. Which meant Fennel crossed a line, so he decided he'd do the same.

Mal hated it when he acted like this, and couldn't understand why he did on certain occasions.

"Damn it," he muttered, rubbing his palms against his eyes. He then shoved his hands into his pockets, feeling a certain box in his right one. Ah –the gift he'd prepared for Sonia. He had not only been able to introduce himself properly, allowing Raphael to interject and introduce him, but he hadn't given the gift at the first meeting, as was supposed to be appropriate.

Standing up, he went inside to go look for his other companion on this journey he wasn't so sure he really wanted to be on. Once he found her by one of the windows near the east side of the lab, staring out of it to the pokémon grazing outside, Mal stood there by the entrance and watched.

Mal tugged on his gloves, quietly observing her. After Sonia had stormed out, everyone had decided to leave her be. It was probably for the best, Mal conceded. She probably needed time to cool down. Still, she seemed like she (despite preferring it) was alone enough already.

According to Raphael (though he had witnessed her reactions himself a bit), she was impossible and quite rude, but maybe what they had seen wasn't there was to her. His friend could get quite passionate about things, however, so he would take what his friend said into consideration –but not take it as the basis of his interaction with Sonia Darkin. He personally believed that there was more to her, and he would stubbornly wait to see. And if he could drag Raphael along with him…

He thoughtfully fingered the box in his pocket again. The offering he brought, as a gift to his new traveling companion, had sat in his pocket for too long for his liking, and crossing what he felt was a respectful and appropriate time to present it to Sonia. He'd already given Raphael his, a stainless steel wrist watch that was transparent and could see through into the gears of the inside, with a steampunk-skeleton style.

Mal had made it himself, as well as the gear necklace that he had prepared for Sonia. Hers was alike to the ring he'd made for himself, where he could twist the top and move the gears in the ring design, and hers was motivated by the necklace's ball chain. It was simple, but elegant enough. Nothing too extravagant, which seemed would suit her fine.

Hoping she wouldn't suddenly disappear (he had the strangest feeling she was avoiding him, but that didn't make sense), Mal strode forward and stood in front of her, ready to try for a better second impression, as he was much unsatisfied with the first one he'd given through Raphael's introduction of him. He patiently waited for her to acknowledge him, and when she finally reluctantly did, he did a short bow.

"I am Malcolm Thrones, your other journey companion. You may call me Mal, and also please accept this token of my and my family's gratitude for your company," Mal presented the small box to her, after finally doing his own, personal introduction to her. It made him feel much better about being able to present himself much more formally.

She looked at it blankly, before almost delicately reaching out to grab it, as if it were a Seviper waiting to bite her. But, assuming she'd just read his mind, she would know what it was anyway, and see there was no harm in it.

Once Sonia had it in hand and had opened it, she was looking at the necklace inscrutably. Then she glanced up at him.

"You know...you're too prim and proper. Lighten up a little."

Although, for some reason, he'd gotten the sense that she hadn't meant it so disparagingly.

His lips twitched upwards slightly.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said dryly.

Started 9/14/15 – 9/14/15
Edited 2/3/16

A/n: So I hope people are continuing to be interested. I would really, really would like to see people reviewing this, pretty please? With ice cream on top of a sundae? :D