Flames of Devotion Chapter 7

Author note: Hey everyone I'm still alive and I updated this on the 25th but I was a couple minutes late with last minute details. I have just had the bad case of being unable to type my stories due to how much things are going on in my life and I was even more depressed that my old laptop crashed along with this chapter's original file. I was planning to update it in October but my file crashed and I had to retype the whole thing and soon after that my hand got into a mechanical accident and have ruined my fingers slowing the process considerably. I have finished the story but I then though why not make it a marathon run with back to back chapters to NEW YEARS! So my other stories will be updated but Flames of Devotion has had a constant pace of viewers and requesters so it will be the first updated. I hope you all enjoy it and look forward to the marathon run.

AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALLL!

The Principal Hall/

Coming out of the door way leading towards the Principal Ketchum's office was Leon and Arthur both in having an aura of depression surrounding them. Arthur's aura can't begin to compare to Leon's who is pretty much making everywhere he goes seem like a gloom, doomed world.

After a couple meters away from the door, Leon let out an exhausted sigh from his anguishing mind and soul.

"Haaaa, what am I going to do? I am so Screwed. If I can't pay the bill for the academy my chances of finding a proper job in this city will be shot down and I have to work for that slave driver for possibly the rest of my life. No the problem may be after I pay the bill, if I even somehow manage to slap together all the money, then what kind of miracle do I need to pay for all the house bills, with the rental fee and the all the other necessities." *slap* Ghost fires started to appear around Leon as he slaps his hands on his face to hopefully escape the waking nightmare known as reality and wake up in his bed and seeing the light of a good day instead of this nightmare.

Arthur can feel the negativity emanating from his friend and despite how he feels about WANTING to help his friend he CAN'T help his friend. Balling his right hand into a fist and rubbing it into his forehead to grind his brain and pop out some ideas for him to help his friend.

In Arthurs mind "Come on, there has to be something I can do. Let me think if I account the minimum amount of food I need for myself I can just pass by the bills without the need to cut off my team's food supply. Maybe if I also sell some of the things I don't need maybe it can scrap some loose changes for Leon to use. No if I do that then he would most likely feel guilty and I hardly don't have anything I can sell except the necessities. Food is pretty much the only way but if I do that however than I would have to really cut on the activities I do to conserve all the energy I need to last the next 2 weeks. But if I do that then it would throw my schedule really out of whack and who knows what other problems can occur in the span of 2 weeks, not only that if I can't sustain my body then I can't work my job properly and If I don't do that, then I may be the next one on the chopping block to who knows where from my boss. Thinking on it Arthur started to grind his brain even harder to think of other solutions and possibilities

"DAAHHHH! Why did I get a job as a construction worker instead of salary man, I could at least conserve my energy and eat less from just sitting all day instead of swinging a hammer. Although I can't complain that the pay was good at that time."

Arthur started to scratch his head in frustration in being useless to help his best friend in his time of peril and the only thing he can do is think 'ifs' and watch from the sidelines. Suddenly the sudden sound of a growling stomach has appeared and made an introduction to the duo and they both stopped thinking. One due to the noise the other due to his hunger.

Leon balled his hand into a fist and pushed his guts in the stop the noise emanating from his stomach. Arthur just looked at him and just sighed.

Arthur spoke up while shrugging his shoulder "I guess after all that thinking it seems our stomachs wants something to eat to provide more nourishment for our brains to think out of this situation." After leaving the office not one of them smiled but Arthur finally smiled from the silly noise that is coming from his red faced friend.

Leon was closing his eyes in shame while his fist was still in his stomach and just said "Yeah that does sound like what my stomach is telling me. Maybe once I eat my lunch I can think of something to get out of this hell hole. Let's head to the cafeteria and hope that by some miracle there is something that will help me get out of this damn situation."

Leon then removes his stomach and starts to walk towards the cafeteria along with Arthur who just sighs while smiling and walking alongside him.

"Yeah that does sound nice, maybe Calista's lunch will help me out, she said that she packed it with 'Luck' I think she said?" Leon said as he was contemplating what Calista told him this morning due to his slow internal clock was still groggy from waking up, making it difficult to retain memories in his tired state.

Arthur just dropped his head along with a heavy sigh "*SIGH* I think she said 'Love' you idiot" mumbling these words preventing Leon from hearing. "If she somehow manages to get past your damn thick skull and get her message across I would shout to the world of her amazing achievement." Saying this out loud.

Leon obviously confused tilted his head in wonderment "What are you saying?"

Arthur just sighed again and shrugged his shoulder. "Nothing just thinking of something."

"Huh?"

They both walk towards the cafeteria and reach the end of the hallway and make a left turn both of them unaware what was in front of them missed seeing a group of boys with a Delphox, holding a lunchbox, walking past them and missing them by going in the opposite direction from which the group is going.

Cafeteria/

Arthur and Leon both arrive at the cafeteria seeing all the students chatting with each other on new strategies on pokemon battles, new ideas for using techniques, trainers becoming choreographers, fashionist, their dreams of the future. All of these seem to remind Arthur and Leon of the good old days when they were still in their trainer's time.

Arthur speaks up first "Brings back memories doesn't it, we used to meet in some towns by coincidence and we chat it up on tactics and strategies for upcoming gym battles. Good times."

Leon finally smiles as well thinking back on those carefree times "Yeah those were good times."

Reminiscing the past was becoming fun until Leon's stomach makes its introduction to the group again.

Leon punches his guts just as soon as the noise came and was shuddering from the force he putted into the last punch, causing Arthur to worry.

"Leon you alright there buddy?" Arthur says while a sweat drop appears around his brow.

Leon just grunts his answers to confirm he's fine "Yeah, let's find a seat and eat please."

Arthur starts to scan the crowd and found a couple seats empty and coincidently no one was near it to hear their conversation.

"Spotted some far corner to the right, let's go before someone takes them." Arthur begins to make his way to the table while Leon follows behind while his stomach growls in anticipation for the lunch that Calista has prepared for him.

They arrive and took their seats and Arthur took his lunch box out first. A large lunchbox containing Octillery sausages, Torchic fried chicken, with sides of broccoli, carrots, tangerines, and strawberries, two small rice balls shaped like a heart and on the side of it was a small cup filled with Remoraid flavored soup with Remoraid meat and green onions.

Leon laughs a little while Arthur turns slightly red from embarrassment.

Leon comments "Man I can feel the 'LOVE' coming from that dish. *Phht* huhuhuh. *snicker*"

Reason why it was funny to Leon is because Arthur's first pokemon prepares his lunch as well but the ironic thing is.

"I can't believe she made a dish which was made from your team line up. *phtt* I can feel her love for her trainer." Leon laughs as Arthur becomes more embarrassed as it seems that she 'considerately' made a dish that was made from Arthur's pokemon line up he still has from his trainer days.

"Oh shut up, she's just territorial, like she always has been. Though I really wish that she stops being like that it's not like she's going to be a replaced favorite of mine."

Leon just retorts "Well that's how females act you never know."

Arthur just "Humph" and starts to eat his meal while Leon grabs his bag and proceeds to reach for his lunch.

"Hm?" Leon then looks into his bag and starts to remove the contents of his bag onto the table.

"Hm? Arthur noticing the sound of books looks from his meal to see Leon's face starting to become paler and paler. "Is something wrong?"

Not even acknowledging his question Leon just proceeded to face forward, leaving his books out, sits down and slams his head into the table.

*Bam* Arthur turns to see Leon with his face in the table and is just lay's there motionless and with an even heavier aura than before.

"*sigh* Life is kicking on my downed body again, why does this have to happen all at the same time." Leon crying tears of remorse as it pours from his eyes and down to the floor, while Arthur just looks with a sweat drop coming down and guessing what happened.

"Forgot your lunch again didn't you. You're so forgetful sometimes." Arthur says to Leon who was just stabbed through his chest by an arrow saying 'forgetful' on it.

"AH!"

Arthur sighs gets up and starts to walk to a nearby food stall. Leon doesn't notice as he wonders what he's done to deserve all of these events, all of these stressful events, that keep on piling up on his already tired body and mind. It wasn't until Arthur comes back and Leon turns his head to see Arthur placing a plate next to him and placing half of his lunchbox contents on it.

"Huh, what are yo- "Leon wonders and sees Arthur push the plate to him.

"Just eat, it's one of the few things I can do to help. I can't stand the idea that you already received all this news but even have to skip lunch. That would be overkill, so just eat, we need to think of how to get you out of this situation and we need to think of plans, not food, so start eating so your stomach doesn't make your brain think of a buffet table."

Leon just smiles and just proceeded to accept the plate. "Well then if you don't mind thanks I appreciate you doing this." After saying that he drives his fork in to the food and eats fast enough to stuff his mouth of the food that is just bursting with flavor.

Arthur just replies "No Problem."

They both continue eating to finish the meal and prepare their strategies for the financial web struggle that has ensnared Leon. One thing however is that another web has been made but unfortunately Leon wasn't the victim of an event that may not end well for her.

The victim walking with a group of boys who proceeded out the building door and walking towards the back of the school with a large school shed appearing.

"Since he's in gym he's most likely going to be in the school shed, they always ask Leon to get the supplies for class as he is the most responsible for them."

"Really well thank you, for guiding me I'll be sure to tell Leon of you guys for helping me. I believe I can handle the rest."

"What are you saying surely we can't leave a maiden alone yet. We'll just stay a little longer just to make sure you find him. If you don't we have other places, we can check out that Leon might be in."

Calista just smiled at the boys being so nice to help her find Leon "thank you oh I wish I knew you boys during Leon's traveling days you would have been such good friends then as well with his tips in battle."

The boys just smiled and were preparing a devious plan in their head "Oh we are sure of that; we can be sure of that."

Part 1 of Marathon end.

Author note: Hope you enjoyed the ride but don't worry the story will continue and the story will follow through with another chapter tomorrow. Be prepared for a ride of excitement and suspense.