Notes: So I decided to make things a bit more complicated than I originally planned. Hopefully, that's a good thing…

Spring 6

Where's Taro when You Need Him?

It would probably be for the best if I left here and now, but…

I hugged my knees tighter to my chest and gazed at Azurill. She was staring at me with what looked like concern in her eyes, but I couldn't be too sure. Well, she wasn't repeating her name anymore at least.

It would be sad to leave her, but I could, most likely, take her with me if I really wanted. I doubted she would object to it. But where would I even go?

As much as I wanted to leave… I was getting tired of running away from everything. Somehow… it just… made me feel even emptier. And of course, just look at what happened when I decided to run away to this place. Running really hadn't ever solved anything for me; I just seemed to run into the same problems over and over again, no matter where I wound up. And I doubted… I could prolong my largest problem much longer…

Azurill suddenly yelped and ran over to my right, glaring at something off in the distance. I turned; Lucario was heading across the bridge, and Azurill was taking on a battle stance.

"Stop it…" I pushed her slightly, trying to guide her away from here. But she wouldn't budge.

Lucario approached the two of us, his gaze low. He said something in an undertone to Azurill, but she just gave him a short response and continued to glare at him.

Chelsea… Lucario finally looked at me. I just wanted to tell you… I apologize. I don't expect you to forgive me… I have no excuses.

I just stared. Lucario was… apologizing…? Completely humbled and actually feeling ashamed? What…?

He sighed and continued. I let my fear get the best of me. I let it blind me… so much so that I ignored your own fear. It's just… inexcusable.

"…Your fear?" I repeated, finally breaking the short silence. "Why on earth were you afraid?"

Lucario squeezed his eyes shut and turned away. I should have known you'd be ignorant of the situation… You always are.

I rose to my feet. "Then tell me! Explain!"

He took a breath before turning back to me. I know that you've taken a liking to me. So when… I saw that Pokéball… My instincts took over all of my actions. I thought you were going to capture me.

"Pokéball?" I looked at him in defeat. "Is that the thing you destroyed? The metallic sphere?"

Yes… Lucario's gaze rested somewhere off to the left of me. I don't know where you found it, but… it wasn't the best thing for me to see. Not without some kind of warning.

As you know, I immediately jumped to my own conclusions. At the time, I truly thought that all of your previous kindnesses to me were all part of an elaborate ruse. That you were merely pretending to be on friendly terms with me so that I would warm up to you and allow you to take away my freedom. I felt I needed to do whatever I could to stop you. I immediately panicked.

And when you called me your friend… he paused, seeming to grimace at the very memory of it. You see… many humans that have captured Pokémon… they sometimes refer to them as 'friends…' It's merely a euphemism for what they really are to these humans: slaves.

"But I'm not going to enslave you, Lucario! I never would! You know that!"

When I saw that Pokéball… I thought otherwise.

"But what does that Pokéball even do? It's just a stupid piece of metal, right? I mean, Taro just gave it to me this morning because he thought it was some kind of relic from the recent past. I didn't even know what it was… I set it up there on that shelf because… I was going to ask you."

Lucario sighed, and his posture sank. Clearly, I couldn't have been more wrong in my assumptions… I should have known…

At the sight of this, Azurill's fighting stance dissolved, and she watched Lucario with both concern and confusion.

"Please…" I cautiously moved closer. "Just tell me. Is this sphere used to try and control Pokémon somehow?"

Yes. Lucario frowned, looking back up at me. The Pokéball is able to transform a Pokémon into a small beam of light and encapsulate it inside the sphere, only to be let out at the master's discretion. When a Pokémon has been captured, it resides within that Ball until its master summons it outside.

"Wow… is that so?" I shuddered at the thought. "That 'Pokéball' isn't all that big, really… I can't imagine a Pokémon of your size being inside one of those… Does it hurt to be inside of it?"

I don't know. My master never actually captured me. That's why I was so afraid when I believed you might.

"But wait… how did he get you to do his bidding if he didn't ever capture you?"

When I didn't obey, he used other means to force me to oblige… Lucario gave me a rueful smile. But, practically speaking, he simply could not capture all of us. By law, a Trainer may only carry six Pokémon with him or her at a time. The rest are sent elsewhere, most likely to a research center. Of course, my master needed far more than six of us to run this place, so he did not capture any of us with a Pokéball. To be honest, I am very lucky for that. If he had, I would still be bound to him… and you or anyone else would not be able to either capture or free me. I would be his and his alone. No one would be able to change that, not until after his or my death.

"Wow…" I paused, trying to absorb all of this. "Then no wonder you were all freaked out. I mean, I would never do something like that to you, and I hope you would realize that by now, but… Yeah… It does sound scary… I can kind of see why you lost it."

What are you saying? Lucario looked at me, shocked. Are you… Are you trying to absolve me of blame?

"Maybe a little…" I smiled slightly, shrugging. "I mean, yeah, you were a bit over the top, but… you're kind of always over-dramatic, so… I suppose I can let you slide… just this once, of course!"

You! Lucario's shock remained. You're insane!

"I am not!" I chuckled; his facial expression was just too hilarious. "Geez Lucario! First you practically attack me and now you call me crazy! Maybe I really should consider blaming you forever and ever!"

Lucario slumped. You are right. I'm sorry.

"Kidding, Lucario. I'm only kidding. Sheesh. Maybe I should teach you how to joke around… Maybe then you'll be less crazy."

Lucario gawked at me a moment before finally gathering something to say. You're the crazy one here. But I suppose I don't… mind it that much.

I laughed. "Well, I can take that, I suppose."

He finally cracked a smile. Azurill looked from him to me, astounded. I figured now would be the best time to go right for the heart of the problem.

"So… do you think… eventually we could be friends? Maybe one day?"

Lucario's smile vanished and a nervous look seemed to spread over him. I… I don't…

I frowned, thoughtful. "Is it because I'm a human? …If I was a Pokémon, would things be different?"

It's not… he looked at me for a moment before looking away. It's not really… I think I could… it's more…

"Were you planning on finishing any of these sentences?" I asked playfully, trying to make things light-hearted once again.

He sighed. His face looked rather torn and practically tortured.

"Hey…" I touched his shoulder lightly. "I was only joking. But yeah, it probably wasn't very appropriate right now… But really, don't worry about it. Just forget about my question. It's only a question, and you shouldn't feel obligated to answer something if you don't want to. Just don't get so upset over it. It's nothing to worry over, really."

But, Lucario's tone was heavy once again. I feel as if… I hardly deserve your friendship.

"Huh? What? Why would you say that?"

Our bargain… he gave me a sidelong glance. You've kept up your end… and I've hardly done the same for you.

"Oh that…" To be perfectly honest, I had forgotten all about it until now. "Hey, my end is a lot easier than yours. And besides, it's okay for you to make a mistake, you know. You're working on it. A work in progress, as they say."

Chelsea… You don't understand… The torn look appeared again. I feel like I'm trapped… in a vicious, never-ending cycle… The pain the humans have given me… I feel as though all I do to you is transmit that hatred… And you… this hatred you'll have of me will be sent back onto the Pokémon you will gather to create this farm… It's all a continuous, un-ending cycle… I'm still not powerful enough to break it. And even in my best efforts to stop it, I still feel it continue… It's because I just can't forget my past. It's the only place where I can remember…

"Lucario! What is this you're going on about? You're just talking nonsense!" I couldn't even stand to listen to this anymore. "What makes you think you would do anything like that to me? Transmitting hatred! What the heck? What even makes you think that you've done something like that?"

Maybe I haven't yet… But who's to say I won't?

"Who's to say you will?" I countered. "What is making you think like this?"

Chelsea… I… Lucario's head drooped. I've failed…. someone else before… Miserably. I don't… I really don't want to do it again… Never again. But I'm so afraid… I might…

"Lucario…" As much as I wanted to question and find out more, at the same time, I knew I couldn't drive him any farther than I had already. Whatever happened, I could tell it was practically tearing him apart. And that was all I needed to know right now.

I moved up to him and carefully put my arms around him. Instead of stiffening, like I had expected, he leaned just slightly, his head against my neck. For some reason, he just seemed so tiny and small. So far from what I had seen from him up until now. "I don't know what happened, but… I think everything will be just fine. You shouldn't be so quick to blame yourself… Lucario."

Azurill squeaked quietly. She gently rested her head against Lucario's ankle.

After several moments, Lucario slowly moved back, touching his temples with his paws. A small sigh escaped him. I think I need to meditate…

I looked at him carefully. "Let me know if… you ever need to tell someone about whatever it is that..."

He shook his head. Not now. I just… can't. But… thank you. For that.

I nodded. And as I did so, a saddening thought crossed my mind. "When was the last time someone…"

He pawed at a wrist spike distractedly. It's been a long time.

"Aw… That's so sad… Well then, I'll have to change that!" I pointed out, trying to give him another hug.

Oh no! That's enough! I'm fine now! Just stay away from me!

"Hmm, fine then." I shrugged, grinning. "Oh, hey! I know! Why don't we go in and eat something, huh? I don't know about you two, but I'm pretty much starving right about now." I scooped up Azurill in one arm and managed to wrap the other round Lucario's shoulders. "And I bet you two will need some more energy so you can get back to training, huh? What do you say?"

Yes… why not?

Spring 7

The car was stalling again. I shook the steering wheel urgently.

"Keep going!" I urged. "Don't die on me now!"

Thankfully, the engine started to return to normal, and I was able to continue on my way down the highway. I pressed down harder on the accelerator; I had lost too much time already. I had to hurry up.

"Why must you always drive so fast?"

I turned; Lucario was sitting there in the passenger seat, eying me with a questioning look. Questioning yet knowing. He couldn't know, could he?

"I don't have time to think about any of that." I said shortly.

"You can't run forever. You know that."

"Just shut up already!" I snapped irritably.

Just then, the engine started to die out again. The car was decelerating…

"No…!" I kept pressing the accelerator, but it couldn't stop my massive deceleration. The car was coming to a complete stop. When it did, I slammed my fist against the wheel, suppressing the urge to scream at it. I turned the key, trying, in vain, to restart the engine. It wasn't working!

"Do something!" I hollered at Lucario. But when I looked over at the passenger seat, he was gone. Whatever! I didn't need him anyway!

"Come on! Come on! Go!" I kept turning the key and slamming my foot onto accelerator over and over again. "Hurry up!" My heart was racing with the urgency I felt. I had to start this car!

Eventually, I gave up and collapsed against the steering wheel, suppressing the urge to cry. It was too late. I knew it. Even if the car hadn't broken, I probably wouldn't have made it anyway…

I remained that way for a while, leaning with my head against the wheel, waiting… when, suddenly, something hit my shin.

Bewildered, I gazed down to see that the car was… morphing. The dashboard was moving, all on its own, and tapping me on the shins.

I thrashed and screamed. The car was going to eat me! Just how could I escape from a hungry car?

What is wrong with you? Why won't you wake up?

"Huh?" I opened my eyes and was startled to find that I was lying in bed. Lucario was standing over me, and he was continually lifting and letting his arm fall onto my shins.

"What are you-?" I moved away, curling my legs up closer to my chest.

Are you finally awake? Lucario raised his arm and let it fall on me once more. Only this time, he chose to let it land on my head.

"Yeah! Yeah! I'm awake! I'm awake! Stop it already!"

Hmph. It's the only way I could get you to wake up! And let me tell you, it certainly wasn't easy… You yell at me even when you're asleep!

"Uh… sorry…" I scratched my head sheepishly, recalling the things I had said to him in my dream.

I had no idea you were this lazy! he continued, his annoyance still quite evident. How long do you humans even need to sleep anyway? Azurill's been out there for hours watering all your crops on her own, you know!

"What?" I scrambled to the edge of my bed to check the clock, very nearly falling off in my haste. "What time is it?"

My alarm clock was lying on the floor just beside my bed, since there was no nightstand anywhere in the house. I climbed out of bed to look at it, and to my annoyance, its screen was blank. "What the-? Why isn't the clock working?"

… Ah! Are you wondering about the electricity? That sometimes works...

"Sometimes?" I repeated, indignant.

Yes, you must move the snake around a bit in order to make electricity work. Lucario explained, moving over to the outlet and nudging the cord to which the alarm clock was attached.

"… Snake?"

Yes. A 'snake' is a dead Ekans. And since this thing here looks like Ekans and doesn't ever move, I call it a snake.

"Yeah… whatever you say, Lucario…" I didn't even bother trying to understand him anymore. Instead, I stared at the clock, hoping that he could manage to fix it. All of a sudden, the machine sprang to life, but it died a second later.

"What! It's already eleven?" I exclaimed, springing to my feet. "Oh man! Taro mustn't have come here today, so I slept in and wasted the whole entire morning!"

Yes, that's what happens when you are lazy enough to depend on boxes and old people to wake you up every morning. Lucario commented, still jiggling the electrical cord.

"Oh, enough!" I cried, scrambling to gather some fresh clothes. "Kept your comments to yourself and tell Azurill I'll be out in a minute, why don't you?"

Whatever you say, Sleepy.

oOoOoOo

"I'm so sorry, Azurill!" I said sheepishly. She had done quite well without me, but she was still far from finished. "You can stop if you want; I'll handle the rest."

Yes, she didn't mean it, Azurill. She was… sleeping!

It was really annoying to hear Lucario's chortling in my head. And really, was it even that funny? All I did was sleep in…

"Man, you're irritating! So I made a stupid mistake! Can't you just get over it already?"

Lucario paused for a moment, trying to stop his chuckling. No.

I rolled my eyes and started to water the crops. "I ought to water you, Lucario!"

What does that even mean?

"It doesn't." I shrugged.

Eventually, he stopped being annoying and the crops became sufficiently watered. While Azurill went off with him to go train, I decided to go for a walk. Hopefully, I could manage to find some real herbs (not weeds!) to sell later. And hey, I figured it wouldn't hurt to run into a few people either.

So I found myself looking for herbs in the empty area surrounding Mirabelle's pasture. I wasn't really finding much of anything, and I was a bit disappointed to see that no one was outside tending to the Pokémon. Thinking I'd head off to the beach next, I passed by Mirabelle's house itself in a last ditch effort to find someone to talk to.

"Chelsea!"

I whirled around just in time to practically get glomped by Julia. "Uh, hey Julia; what's going on?"

"What's going on?" She backed away, blinking at me in confusion. "How can you be so casual at a time like this? I've just got a ton to tell you about! Come on inside! I'll make you some tea!"

"Um, okay…" I allowed myself to practically get dragged inside her house. When I was hoping to chat with somebody, I certainly hadn't expected this… But hey, it was a whole lot better than being ignored... I suppose.

Once inside the kitchen, Julia quickly slammed a pot onto the stove and hurriedly filled it with water. From there, she took a seat across from me, a huge smile on her face.

"I think I like Elliot!" she told me, her face still as bright as ever.

"Really?" I blinked, a bit taken aback. While I couldn't deny that we had become friends quite quickly, I was still a bit stunned that she'd admit something like this to me so soon. I mean, we had only met a couple of days ago, and already, she was telling me who she had a crush on? Well, it was great that she trusted me that much, but really? This soon?

On the other hand, it was a quite welcome relief. Julia looked to be rather friendly, hardworking and pretty too, so certainly, it would be easy for Elliot to fall madly in love with her. And if that happened, he'd leave me alone. And of course, I wouldn't get any more teasing from Natalie… Huzzah!

"Oh, he's just so cute! Don't you think?" Julia gushed. "I mean, he's just so sweet… How he gets all embarrassed and shy… and so thoughtful too! Aww!"

"Yeah!" I nodded in agreement. "You two would be great together, really."

"You think so?" she giggled. "Well, it's only a little crush, of course, but maybe someday… hmm?"

"Oh, yeah. I guess…"

"What do you think of him?" she asked.

"Uh…" I faltered, trying to think of something. "He… has… pink hair?"

"Yeah!" Julia giggled. "It's so cute too! Just like bubblegum!"

I couldn't help but make a face while Julia had her eyes closed. Really… all this talk of Elliot was starting to get to be a bit much. "So… when the tea's ready… shouldn't we invite your mother and Vaughn over for some? I'm sure they wouldn't mind a little break, right?"

"Vaughn?" Julia stopped giggling and frowned at me. "But he's not even here today."

"Huh? Then where is he? Outside?"

"No," she smiled slightly, shaking her head. "he's never here on Sundays. He only comes here for two days out of the week. The rest of the time, he's out trading Pokémon with people on other islands. He's an animal dealer; did you really think we're his only customers?"

"Oh." I hadn't expected to hear that. Only two days out of the whole week? Why couldn't the Witch lady do that?

Julia smirked. "You sound disappointed... Does somebody have a little crush on Vaughn?"

"Huh. No way." I laughed, probably a bit too nervously.

Julia stared at me pointedly, as if trying to figure it all out. Then she burst into giggles. "You love him!"

"I do not!" I said with annoyance, turning away. Seriously… I felt like I was in middle school all over again.

Julia sprang up to go check on the tea. "Don't worry!" she sang out. "I won't tell him! I'll just be sure to drop a few hints that somebody misses him when he goes away!"

"Julia. Please." I rolled my eyes. Julia wasn't exactly subtle, and the last thing I needed was for her to get Vaughn to think I had some childish crush on him. "Do not say anything to him. He'll just think you're stupid."

"He thinks everybody's stupid…" she pointed out, pouring out the boiling water into cups and placing tea bags in them as well. "Actually, you're probably better off looking for somebody cuter, like Elliot. Though, it would be absolutely adorable if you got him to warm up a little!"

"Yeah, I don't know." I gratefully accepted the tea she handed to me.

"Well, we'll just see…" Julia winked at me before taking a sip of tea.

oOoOoOo

Notes: So I thought it would be interesting if Julia became one of Chelsea's closest friends… I've seen a few fanfics where Chelsea has a (female) confidante, but so far I haven't seen one with Julia set in this role. I think it could have the potential of being pretty hilarious at times… XD

And yes, the special chapter will be coming up next. Don't get too excited about it though, since it might be a bit harder for me to write, and when that happens, it takes me longer to finish the chapter.

Hang in there and thanks for reading!