Gallia returned to waiting for Lucion at the entrance of the village to greet him. He was still silent as ever with the rest of the locals and her family, including Kira, but he was a good topic.
"Have you seen that Pokémon named Lucion? He's a fine fella, don't you think?"
Or, "Heard of a guy named Lucion?"
"The care taker? Yea, I 'eard of 'im."
And then there was, "So you've heard of that Lucion stranger, right? Well, you should see him with the children, you would have thought he was a cold, iron Pokémon but he is totally not."
The just for fun, "Lucion? Never heard of him. Who's he?"
Gallia could go on of the conversations she's heard of him, all never saying a bad thing, but exaggerating his heroic spirit. Rixon had taken up telling fake heroics he did. All though, being that Lucion did tell her he went to war before, they may actually be true. Lucion taking on a hundred guys and not even flinching or cowering the odds. He would smile and get to work on making sure they pied for their crime. Not one remembered how much of a liar he tended to be. Not that it mattered anymore.
Gallia finally saw a Lucario walking from the distance. He was carrying something big.
"Whatcha got there, Lucion?" She asked.
"Something I convinced Miss Fi, to convince the mayor, to let me do. Ever seen this sort of thing before?'
"No," She shook her head.
Lucion chuckled, "Back at home when I started living my life with Penelope we used these to celebrate our freedom or our victories. They're called: fireworks."
"'Fireworks'? What do they do?" She asked.
"Glad you asked. I can't set off any of the big ones, but I can with the small ones. Get your friends."
She gathered them to watch Lucion. He took a stranger shaped one and used flamethrower to ignite a stick. He used the fire to light a weird-burning wick that traveled fast. Whatever it was, Lucion ran away fast. The firework lifted up and popped into amazing colors and art. It was awe-inspiring.
"Wow! Do another one!" Kira shouted.
"Yea, another one," Milly begged, "Please do it."
Lucion shook his head but stayed quiet.
"He said before that he was only able to light one off. Sorry guys."
"Well, I can't wait for the festival now," Rixon said as he gyrated happily.
"Me too," Kira added.
"Me three" Milly chered.
"And me four," Nini bounced.
Lucion seemed happy he was doing something they would enjoy. Now that he was a part of the town he spent more time actually helping with the decorating of the festival. He even set some things up personally. He was given a proper time to set off his idea too. He seemed to feel at his best when he had work to do.
"Hey, Mr. Lucion, it's good to have you work with us," Said a worker.
He nodded and jumped down from the ladder he was on. He had just finished his side of the festival sign.
"Well, I just wanted you to know that my daughter is a lot happier that you play with them. Nini, of course," He smiled.
Lucion smiled and chuckled but remained silent.
"She's been getting better too. She used to be depressed and there was nothing that helped her until you came along. Thanks a lot."
Lucion paused then smiled again and bowed a few times.
"Well, thanks for listening," Nini's father bowed.
Lucion saluted him and turned to work again.
Gallia watched the whole thing.
"Did you hear that? Nini's papa was thanking you! I think he likes you!" Gallia ran in front of Lucion.
He nodded and his smile disappeared. Was something wrong?
"Lucion?" She asked.
He turned around.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
He nodded and gave her a wink. He turned again and left. Something was bothering him, but what?
"Gallia."
"Huh! What?" She jumped.
"Is Lucion alright?" Miss Fi asked.
"I don't know, Nini's papa thanked him and he suddenly felt sad," Gallia sad worriedly.
Miss Fi smiled, "Crying doesn't always mean someone's sad, Gallia. Sometimes people cry because their touched. So the stone heart has been broken to its fullest. The old Lucion has come back for sure this time."
"Old Lucion?" Gallia asked.
"Lucion used to be much more enthused than he was before, then you came into his life. You're a really special girl, Gallia. Never lose that," Miss Fi smiled.
"I'll do my best," Gallia smiled.
Miss Fi was right, he was crying. She found him in a back alley trying to keep his breath.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Never better," He replied, "No one's ever said that to me before. I don't understand why I feel like this."
"Maybe because your happy. You are really appreciated in this town. Everyone won't stop talking about you. Even the workers are happy you chose to help. They say they got a lot done faster because of you. You really pull a lot of weight. Whatever that means."
Lucion laughed and took a deep breath.
"It means a do more than I have to. But the truth is I love to work with a team. It's what every Lucario wants. We've always dreamed of the day someone would get our back in a fight. We spend so much time alone it's a legend that one of us finds someone so close. The legend is meant to give us hope. I never realized that I didn't have to hope."
Gallia chocked back a sob. If they were that lonely then this really meant something for Lucion. He had to of felt so wonderful when he was told what he was.
"I'd better get back there before they mess up everything. After all, I am Lucion the Caretaker," He chuckled.
Lucion never talked like that. He really did thaw out. Lucion the Caretaker. Now that was a name worth remembering. Gallia left to help as well. Lucion didn't talk still but he probably would eventually. Instead he listened and laughed with the rest of the town and even interacted a little. There was never a happier time the village had experienced.
Another day passed and the celebration began. Gallia spent a lot of her time with her family. Lucion and Miss Fi joined them again. With any luck, Lucion wouldn't have to blow up again. Not that he knew explosion, or self destruct in that matter, it was just a matter of protection. Of course, with him being so light hearted, it was safe to say he had complete control of his anger.
"Lucion, over here, look!" Rixon pointed.
There was a few booths that sold some Pokémon charms. For the most part, mew was a great selection. It was nowadays being called a good luck Pokémon.
"Let's go get one," He urged.
Lucion followed bet felt a tug.
"No, we should go and get something from there," Nini protested.
"Oh come on, we always do what you want," Rixon fight.
Lucion stopped them in their fight.
"He says its best that we continue on and see what there is. Then we get stuff. It's a good idea to me. The we'll know what we want."
"Okay," Rixon sighed.
"Fine," Milly also sighed.
Gallia smiled at Lucion. She felt like she was the mother of those two. Sometimes four. She didn't argue with them but she always heard Lucion's telepathy telling her to settle the argument. He sounded a lot like a negotiator. How did he get so good at it?
Eventually the time came for Lucion to part with them and get the fireworks going. Miss Fi helped. Many Pokémon were doing what they tasked themselves to do but some had to watch the colors and art in the air. Gallia, Rixon, Nini, milly, and Kira were one of them. They sat on a roof that some of the Pokémon helped the get up to watch the show.
"Wow! This is better than that one he shot off first thing!" Rixon said boisterously
"Gallia," Milly called, "Why is it that Lucion only talks to you? Why won't he talk to anyone?"
Gallia shrugged, "I spend my free time with him if not with you guys. He and I just found a bond, I guess. He knows me, and trusts me."
Milly nodded and looked at Nini.
"So that's it?" Nini asked, "You had to have had some special thing to have to do. So what is it?"
"I let him know who I was," Gallia replied honestly.
Frankly, she didn't know if it was that, but she hoped it would suffice. She was probably trying to convince herself of that more than them.
"Hmm, show him who we are," Milly mused.
Nini giggled and said, "I still don't get it. You know something, Gallia. Your mama and papa must feel really lucky that they have you. There's something about you. I don't know what it is that makes you so special, but I have to admit it. You are the most specialist girl I have ever made friends with. Milly and I both feel lucky."
"Yea, friends forever."
"And sisters too!"
The girls giggled.
"Blech, are you guys done yet?" Rixon gagged.
"Oh, you have a way of running moments, don't you," Nini growled.
Gallia sighed and watched the fir works. Her own friends could see she was special in some way but what was it. They couldn't name it, Miss Fi couldn't name it, and even Penelope couldn't name it. But what about Lucion? She would have to ask him. The firework was amazing. It had a bunch of others accompany it. When it was done, some Pokémon tended to continue their shopping or get off the grass and roofs to do the same. Lucion met with Gallia and her friends again and, since it was late, escorted them to their parents. Gallia begged to stay with him and Miss Fi however. Eventually they had to give in, otherwise Kira was going to pout how tired she was
"Well, we'll see you later then," Miss Fi smiled at her parents.
"Be good, Gallia," Her father smirked.
"I know, I'm eleven you know," She straightened her back.
"Of course, good night, you two."
Gallia's family left with her with them.
"If you could be patient I have to drop a few things off at my store before we take you home," Miss Fi smiled.
"That's okay, it'll give us time to talk," She smiled back.
"Alright, then let's go," She directed.
Gallia traveled between them. When they exited the festival beyond earshot Gallia took the opportunity.
"Miss Fi, you said you saw something different about me. What did you mean?" She started.
"Oh dear, I wish I knew. It's an instinct, see? I can see it in you. There's just a thing that no one can name in you. Whatever it is I hope to be the second one to hear it."
"But what did you mean?" Gallia asked again.
"That's the best I can explain it, Honey. I meant that you were special and different. Those are the only words I can say."
Gallia looked down. She was so desperate to find an answer.
"Lucion?"
Miss Fi looked at him too. He looked at her and smiled.
"Isn't it obvious, Felicia? What can turn away pain, mend relationships, redirect wrath, or even comfort the hurt?"
She didn't answer,.
"An act of kindness. And that's what you have, Gallia. The one thing that no one else has: a kind heart."
Gallia blinked. She couldn't help but feel what he said was true. But wasn't everyone kind? No, when you look at it, everyone was afraid to be kind to Lucion, even her. But she wasn't scared to be what she knew she needed to be: kind. And that was what she did better than anyone there. Sure, they picked each other up when they tripped, they encouraged each other when they were down, but what they never did was reach out.
"Of course, it was so obvious, dear," Miss Fi snapped.
Lucion grinned at Gallia and turned to look at what was in front of him. Gallia looked down and mouthed the words again.
"A Kind Heart."
A preview for the next story:
Miss Fi stared Gallia in the eyes.
"Miss Fi," She addressed.
"Hmm? What is it dear?" She asked.
"I was hoping you would tell me what's gotten into Lucion? Why is he so depressed?"
Miss Fi frowned, 'Penelope was murdered. Johto got a little out of hand in Sinnoh, trying to take it back."
Gallia was shocked, she couldn't believe it. Her best friend from so long ago had been killed by her own region. Home was starting to become the worst place to her. But... in a way she found herself happy. She felt so guilty. Now Lucion was her's and her's alone. But how could she think like that. She could only sob for herself and her friend. What kind of Pokemon was she becoming?