ten

Misunderstandings

The four of them walked upstream along the river. Well, Maro, Jack and Zoey walked, Luxia was in Maro's arms, head over his shoulder, eyes fixed on the ground. Maro in the front, Jack and Zoey trailing behind. Zoey all the while glaring at Luxia, daring her to make eye contact. She never did.

"So how is Elmsgrove fairing with the drought?" Maro asked suddenly. "Yes, this is almost as severe as the one a few years ago…. Squirtle, I do hope your father fairs better than the previous caretaker, not only was that one not as pleasant to be around, but her decisions lead to the last drought worsening to the point of fires breaking out over the land." He looked over his shoulder to Jack, "Is he prepared to do what's necessary to keep this river flowing? Do you know if he'll prioritize the survival of the forest, or of the lake, or of the town?"

"Um…."

"Oh, my apologies," Maro shook his head at himself, "I'm just deeply concerned for the wellbeing of this area, and while I have faith in your father, I cannot help but worry…." He faded off, sighing. "…also, on the topic of apologies." The niceties in his voice faded as he looked to the Cubone on his shoulder. "I believe some are in order."

"I'm sorry…." Luxia said quietly.

"Louder, please."

"I'm sorry."

"And why are you sorry?"

"…for attacking them…."

"Why did you attack them? …Hatchling, why did you attack the Squirtle and the Zigzagoon?"

"…because…."

"Because why, Hatchling?" Maro frowned, his voice growing more stern. "Hatchling. Why did you attack them? You are not a wild Pokémon. You have reason. So, tell them the reason or your punishment will only worsen. …Hatchling, my patience with you has run thin over the last few months; do not think I am not above taking your skull from—"

"Because-I-thought-I-could-get-away-and-it-would-l ook-like-they-did-it! I'm sorry! I'm so-rr-rr-ey!" She bawled, tears running out from under her skull and dripping from the nose. "They said you were coming and I panicked—I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry….! I didn't… I didn't…!" She fell limp on the shoulder, stifling sobs.

Jack and Zoey exchanged awkward glances while Maro sighed, shaking his head. "Hatchling, while I may not be your Maro, with the Pilgrim taking over my training duties I will be free to aid you in your social issues." He scoffed and shifted her to carry in the crook of his arms. "You children these days. Always fighting, never learning. We pair you up so you have a companion to face the Trial with, yet you squabble with all of them…. Our Tribe will be in a sorry state if you are our greatest warrior. How are you different from the Pokémon you hunt if you cannot have civil conversation from your peers?

"If anything, you're the one to learn from the shellhead. He has goals, aspirations—even though this Trial is to test your means of survival, it is still the time for you hatchlings to dream of quests seeking Cresselia! To explore and run and discover things you never knew existed! Just because he refuses to give those dreams up does not mean it is your place to decide that he is not fit to be a warrior!" He sighed. "…Hatchling. You still have many years left in the trials, yet you've abandoned them in the single-minded goal of becoming a Bone Warrior. And the time is…."

Joshua faded off, hesitating far too long. His eyes blurred for a moment before darting to Cubone. She hadn't moved. Not at all. Arms holding her knees to her chin, eyes lost in the fire.

…may I ask you a question…?

Her eyes slowly glanced over at him. It was a movement, but only a movement, eyes looking through him, clouded by a sad fog. After a long second, Joshua shook his head.

It's… it's nothing, never mind.

She looked back into the fire. Joshua hesitated again, looking away to hide a weary sigh.

"But I forget myself…." Maro sighed again, then looked back over his shoulder, the warmness back in his eyes, "Do you two accept her apology?"

"W—"

"No!" Zoey shouted forward. "Not when she's burning the dens of wilds!"

Maro frowned, "And you know this how?"

"She's been poking around this side of the Res, so I've been following her. One time, she raids a wild Zigzagoon den for items, and it bursts into flames the moment she leaves! Fire blasting out of the hole!"

"Is this true, Hatchling…?" Maro asked flatly. Luxia mumbled something. "And where was this wild den?" More mumbling. Maro nodded, "I believe you, many a Cubone have done the same thing before."

"What?!"

"Typhlosions have habit of keeping their young in abandoned dens here," Maro announced, almost tiredly as he looked back to them, "There are several that live in the hills above the lake. I always had wondered why they choose to reside there, but then again, the wilds of the Reservation are always a bit curious. She did not start the fire; it was the Spirits who blessed Typlosions with it to defend themselves against silly children such as this one. And really, what is there to burn in such a hole in the ground?" He nodded, "…I take it you didn't know there were Cyndaquils here, hmm?"

"Uh, no," Zoey blinked, looking sheepishly away. "I didn't. …wow, I feel like a jerk now—J…." She hung her head slightly as she looked over to Jack, "Good job on at least trying to talk her down, there, and not just straight-up blasting her with water."

"It seems we all learned a lesson here," Maro chuckled, stepping off to the side and smiled warmly with the twinkle back in his eyes, "But here is where our paths split," he kneeled down to Jack and Zoey. "While I wish we could stop meeting due to such serious issues, it seems the Spirits have their own plans. Still, until I see you two again, be well." His grin widened for an instant and he stood. He started away but paused after two steps. Over his shoulder, "All things considered, you've grown quite a bit since we last met, Jack. Be proud of how you handled the situation, I'm sure your father will be if he hears of it." With that, he disappeared into the shrubbery.

"…he just used your name?" Zoey said quietly, glancing at Jack. "After what Marshall said—I'm pretty sure Luxia's still awake there—do you know hard it's been to not to say your name in front of them?"

Jack shrugged, "I dunno, Zoey." He sighed. "I just really don't want to do that again."

"Whaddya mean? You did great! Right up until she hit me with her club."

"It just feels weird and…." He looked up. "…Dad?" Zoey followed his gaze. Sure enough, the Blastoise had appeared from around the bend, very focused on the river as he walked down it. "Where did Dad come from?"

Jack's father glanced up, then double-taked at the two, a grin spreading over his face. "Jack! Zoey!" He called to them. "What are you two doing all the way up here?"

"I thought you were in town all today!" Jack called forward as the two ran towards his father. "Zoey was bored so we're out looking for oran berries." To be fair, that was their plan for the day after they had given up on Cubone-watching.

"Mmm, today's not exactly the best day to do it," Jack's father laughed, picking up the two and setting them up on his shoulders. Well, shoulders for a Blastoise—on his shell, you know what I mean. "It's dry and hot and I don't want you two getting into any fights. The wilds are a little on edge from the drought. I've got the Bibarels to open up their dam slightly. They didn't like it, they build dams, not take them down. And the Wiscatch are going to complain about their lake draining.

"But this is what you have to do when you have responsibility, you two. You do the thing you believe is right, even if everyone else is going to complain about it. Even if it's not what the last guy did before you. And if they do complain, you give them your views and explain your thinking."

Zoey threw a humored look to Jack, "So what if they still don't agree with you? What do you do then?"

Jack's father sighed, "Well. That's where compromise comes in. But it helps to have the Marowak Tribe helping a little bit. No one wants to get them involved. Speaking of which," He looked around, "The two Marowak I was talking to earlier today had to run off suddenly and without much explanation. Have either of you seen… mmm, nevermind." He shook his head, "I doubt you ran into them. I'm telling you, they disappear the moment you take your eyes of them—vanish! If I didn't know better, I'd say they're part ghost!" He laughed. "No, I do not believe today would yield any juicy oran berries."

A deep rumbling resounded through the woods—Jack and Zoey jumped, Zoey grabbing onto one of the cannons to stay on the shell.

Jack sighed, "Daaaaad! You're hungry!" His father laughed. "Dad, you know how scary your belly rumbling is—Zoey, it scared that Arcanine that came to town a month ago."

Zoey scoffed, "Yeah, and half the town along with it. Derrik especially…." She faded off.

The warm smile of Jack's father's faded and he nodded somberly, "Yes. Well, it's best not to linger on such thoughts. I'm sure Derrik is doing fine wherever he is now… and I'll try not to startle the Arcanine's family when they finally arrive here. They're coming here for their health, not for me to scare it away!" He laughed. "Anyway! I say we head home before I start scaring the wilds. Was Samm there when you left, Jack?"

"No, we thought you were in Elmsgrove all day, remember? He's probably looking for you by now."

"Well, there isn't a whole lot of trouble he can get himself into in Elmsgrove. You two run on ahead, I need to go on checking the riverbed. However," his voice sighed, disappointed. "Jack, how many times did I tell you not to walk on the plains side of the river?"

"But—"

"Son. You're lucky the Luxray pride migrates to their watering hole in on the other side of the plains when it's this dry out, otherwise there would be at least two getting a drink from the river and one might just attack. And then what would I do, Jack?"

Jack looked down, "Sorry, Dad."

"Same thing goes to you Zoey. I don't want to explain to your father that you're babysitting Shinx again."

"Aw, but they were ador—"

"Zoey."

"Sorry…."'

"Good. Good. Now, think fast!" Jack's father nodded and, in a smooth movement, tossed the two to the other side of the river. Jack landed well enough, Zoey's injured leg collapsed under her and she rolled but hopped up quick enough. "Go on! I'll be a little while!"

The two waved their goodbyes and dashed down the river.

"Maro knew he was there," Zoey hissed. "That was close!"

"That means Maro also knows we were lying," Jack sighed.

"Don't think he really cared that we lied; reminds me of my grandma, actually. I've heard that 'don't grow up so fast' speech before. …okay, maybe not—that is what that was, right?" She shook her head. "But… he knew what your dad was doing. So why did he ask if you knew?"

"Why are you asking me?"

Zoey scowled, rolling her eyes.

"Your leg okay, Zoey?"

"It's just sore." She glowered, "I don't care if she was sorry, I'm gonna take her club and toss it to the Poochyenas! And then I'm gonna then run like mad and laugh like a crazed Zangoose."

Jack frowned at her, "…you hang around Zack too much."

"Uh, yeah. He's awesome. He's the only reason I can stand going to town."

They slowed to walking pace as they reached the bridge. Up on the hill, Tyran and the hatchlings sat. The little pile Luxia had made still out lying next to them, forgotten by the Cubones as they listened wide-eyed of the tales of the Pilgrim.