Hello again! I think this is being uploaded on time... *shrugs*
Oh and I wanna mention that on my bio I made mini-profiles for everyone. Check them out if you want :D OH! And I also want to clarify that in the story it is currently the beginning of Spring (mid-March) so...yeah! Yay Spring!
This was super fun to write! There are several references made as well. Can YOU tell where they're from?!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon!
Maple led me to the main playground, which had slides, bridges, ladders, poles, and just about everything you would expect. Like a normal playground, the platforms were all elevated so you could also play under the playground where there were more things to do like games on the walls and even a bench where you could just hang out and talk to your friends, which is exactly what Maple seems to intend. We stopped under the playground, where Mint was seated with Tea and Masello stood nearby.
"What's going on? Is this some sort of meeting or something?"
"That is correct, chap!" Masello responded with his foreign accent.
"As I'm sure you've noticed, the princess and her cousin have been at it all day." Maple explained.
"And it's gotten a lot worse now that you've been added to the picture Cobalt!" Mint shouted in a worried voice, "Auburn and Tangelo don't usually have big arguments like this; this has gotten ridiculous!" Mint turned to Tea, hoping she would add something or agree with her, but when Tea noticed our attention was turned to her, she only jumped and nodded nervously.
"This is why I got all of us together: so we can think of a plan! I'm tired of seeing Tangelo fighting with the princess. I know they used to be so close, but ever since Tangelo started hanging with those other guys, well it's just gone downhill. I blame Garnet! He's a jerk!" Maple shouted.
"I-I agree… I d-d-don't like him…" Tea surprisingly added.
"Who's that?"
"He's the lead chap, a Torchic. The coolest of all of us… At least that is what Tangelo says." Masello shrugged. "Something about him having this really cool birthday party and now all the boys in class follow him around. I don't it happened before I moved here. Garnet is very, well…charismatic and influential. I would definitely say he's the reason why many of the boys think girls are stupid; they're just following what says. I personally think he is a jerk and do not enjoy his presence in my circle of friends, but if my best friend thinks he is cool, then I suppose I have no choice but to tolerate him."
"Really? So you don't really think the girls are stupid or anything?" I asked, surprised at what he just said. I looked to see that the girls had similar responses as me.
"No, I was just supporting Tangelo. I was not in my interests to harm any of you, so I must apologize. Masello lowered his head, remorse in voice as he apologized. "That is why I am here. I too am I tired of seeing my dear chap fighting with royalty, especially when that royalty is his own cousin!"
"W-wow. That's very admirable of you Masello!"
"Y-you think?" The Numel responded in surprise with his eyes wide. "Hehe…" He chuckled with his cheeks flustered in red and his eyes closed happily.
"So what should we do about our situation? How do we get them to be friends again?" I asked. I looked around to see everyone with their heads down.
"That's the thing," Maple said with her ears lowered, "I have no idea how to get them to be friends again."
"Then we just have to put our heads together and brainstorm!" Mint said optimistically.
"P-put our heads together…? Is that some sort of Psychic-type trick?" Masello tilted his head in confusion.
"She means just work together to think of ideas, silly!" Maple explained.
"O-o-oh! I knew that! Heh…" The Numel chuckled sheepishly, his face flushed with red. Maple laughed, while Mint and I gave soft chuckles. Even the quiet Tea gave a faint smile. It felt nice, laughing with good friends like this. …Oh!
"THAT'S IT!" I shouted loudly and suddenly. Everyone jumped and flinched at my unexpected shouting.
"W-what?!" Maple yelled, "Why are you shouting all of the sudden?!"
"Did you think of an idea?" Mint asked in a calmer tone than the Fennekin.
"Yeah! Why don't we just get Auburn and Tangelo to hang out?"
"…That's it?" Maple asked, unimpressed.
"Um, is it really that simple?" Masello questioned, unsure of my idea.
"Now wait a second," Mint responded, "Maybe Cobalt's on to something. I mean look, just by hanging out and brainstorming like this I feel like I've gotten a lot closer to the both of you!"
"Yeah, but do you really think Auburn and Tangelo will agree to just hanging out with each other?" Maple argued in the same unimpressed tone.
"Well then why don't we all hang out? It would be fun if all seven of us could have a play date or something!" I added.
"But then where would we play? And wouldn't we need a chaperone? I don't think it'd be a good idea for seven kids to be running around without a responsible adult watching us. Mother wouldn't allow."
"I don't think Sis would either…" Maple agreed.
"Um, how about the castle? I'm sure Auburn wo—"
"Not going to happen. Mother definitely wouldn't allow it." Mint said bluntly.
"How about a park? Is there a park anywhere where we could play?"
"There's one not too far from here. Homura Family Park is just a few blocks away." Maple informed me.
"Great! And I'm sure if I ask Cream she'd be happy to watch us!"
"O-oh," Mint stuttered, "W-wouldn't Cream be busy running her hospital? W-we wouldn't want to b-bother her while she's working right?" Mint nervously looked away while tapping her fingers (or are they hands? Do Ralts have fingers?) together. "Besides, she took last Saturday off to go shopping with you right? I-I'm sure she probably needs to work to recover her budget…"
Hmm? That was rather…odd. I feel like it's more like Ms. Sana wouldn't allow Mint to go if Cream was watching us. I thought as I secretly glared at Mint's strange behavior. "I suppose I can't argue with that…"
"Oh!" Masello said excitedly, "I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind! How does this Saturday sound?"
"Perfect! So Cobalt, you tell Auburn that you want to hang out this weekend at the park and Masello you can invite Tangelo!" Maple said excitedly.
"All right!" I nodded enthusiastically, "Hehe, this sounds so exciting!"
"Indeed it does, chap!"
Mint didn't share our excitement. Instead she nervously looked away. "Um, I'll try to convince my mother to let me go…"
"A-and I-I'm not going i-if Mint isn't…" Tea stuttered, grasping onto Mint's arm.
"Aw, well do your best! I'd be disappointed if you weren't there!" I smiled gently at Mint, and then turned to Tea, "Same with you, Tea. I hope you both make it!"
Tea nodded nervously, just as I expected, but Mint's reaction was a little unexpected. Rather than a confident "I will!" she instead flinched slightly and looked away, as if she was trying to avoid eye contact.
"Y-y-yeah… I-I'll convince my mother somehow…" She said in a quiet and stuttered tone. Again, I couldn't tell, but it looked like her face was slightly flustered.
"Um, Mint, are you okay?" I asked, concerned that she's acting slightly weird.
"H-huh?" Mint jumped, "Oh! Y-yeah…yeah, I'm okay." Mint answered in an unconvincing tone as she jumped off the bench, "We should probably go back to Auburn. I'm actually surprised that she hasn't noti—"
"HEEEEEEEEEEY! MINT! COBALT! UM, EVEN TEA! WHERE'D YOU GUYS GO?!" A recognizable yell resounded through the entire playground and cuts of Mint.
"I take that back," Mint sighed, "Come on Tea, let's go."
"Okay." Tea answered straightforwardly, jumping off the bench and following Mint to the shouting princess.
"I should probably take my leave as well and find Tangelo. He must be worried sick that I am not by his side!" Masello bowed, "Farewell my chaps! I shall see you again after recess!" Maple and I nodded and soon we were left alone.
"Well that was fun! Thanks for setting all that up Maple! I'm super excited for Saturday now!"
"Yeah sure, no prob." Maple turned around and took a few steps away from me, "Someone had to do it," Maple twirled around so she was facing me, "I just have you to thank for escalating their arguments and helping me realize that that someone should be me! Hehe!" She giggled and winked.
"Uh, you're welcome?" I answered while rubbing the back of my head.
"Hehe, speaking of the princess, shouldn't you go after her too? I don't want to make the princess worried that she can't find her new best friend!"
"What about you? Why not join us? Like Mint said earlier, I feel like we're all good friends now. You're friends with Auburn too right?"
Maple flinched and awkwardly avoided looking straight at me. "W-well, I guess we're friends. It's not like I dislike her or anything, it's just kinda, I dunno, intimidating to play with a real princess, even if she doesn't even act like one." Maple explained, shifting her paws around nervously. This must be what Auburn meant when she said she doesn't have many "good" friends.
"What? Auburn? Intimidating? Are we talking about the same Vulpix?" I joked.
"Oh come on! You know what I mean!" Maple pouted.
"Hmm, I guess I can sort of see what you mean. Maybe I'm much more comfortable around her because I didn't know she was royalty when I met her." I shrugged, "But you're joining us on Saturday right? You can get a hard start at being more comfortable around royalty!" I smiled.
"I…guess I can't argue with that…" Maple looked away, her face slightly red from embarrassment.
"There you are!" I turned around to see Auburn with Mint and Tea behind her. "What are you doing here with Maple?"
"P-princess!" Maple gasped. Auburn, in response to Maple's gasp, rolled her eyes before letting out a sigh.
"Maple, how many times do I have to tell you? Just call me Auburn!" Auburn pouted with her cheeks puffed up. Maple responded with a nervous nod, very unlike the Fennekin that I was talking to before Auburn showed up. "Why does everybody at school call me Princess…?" Auburn whispered to herself quietly; however it was just barely audible enough for me to hear.
"Auburn…" I sympathized.
"Whatever, c'mon Cobalt, let's go play!"
"But what about Maple?" I asked. I saw the Fennekin's ears twitch at the sound of her name being mention, her eyes widening ever so slightly. "Can she join us?"
"Huh?" Auburn said with a surprised expression before taking a moment to think about what I asked. "Um…I guess. Why not? The more the merrier! But only if she stops calling me Princess!" Auburn said cheerfully, before turning her attention to Maple. "My name is Auburn, not Princess y'know!" Auburn stated firmly.
"…Can I really? I'm not going to get in your guys' way or anything?" Maple asked quietly, her ears lowered as if she was scared.
"Of course you can! Right guys?" I looked back at my friends to get confirmation from them.
"Yes, I'd love to become closer friends with you Maple!" Mint nodded.
"I-f Mint wants to, I g-guess I d-don't mind…" Tea stuttered quietly.
"Yeah…" Auburn whispered, almost as if she couldn't believe that Maple was going to play with her. "Yeah! I'd love you to join Maple! I wanna be close friends with you too!"
Maple's face slowly grew a large smile and her ears rose back up to their original positions. "Okay then! I'll play with you Pri—err, Auburn!" Maple cheered happily.
"Yay! Let's all be great friends!" Auburn jumped in excitement. Mint nodded in agreement while Tea tried to work up a faint smile.
"Yeah!" I laughed, happy to be surrounded by good friends. I turned my head and made eye contact with Maple, which she responded with a smile and wink.
"Thanks Cobalt!"
"I see! It looks like you had quite the eventful first day of school!" Cream said cheerfully after I finished telling her everything that happened today. She got up and grabbed both of our empty dinner plates and headed to the sink. "I think it's great that you've made so many new friends, even if it started off a bit rough! It's good that you guys are doing something about Auburn and Tangelo's rocky relationship too."
"Yeah, I'm relieved Auburn didn't need any convincing to come to the park on Saturday." I got up and pushed my seat back in, "I'm really excited! I had tons of fun today at recess, but I think it'll be even more fun if Masello and Tangelo played with us too! It's a bit awkward being the only boy playing with a group of girls…"
"Haha, you have nothing to worry about dear! A good friend is a good friend, regardless of their gender, species, type, age, or anything!" Cream laughed heartily. "By the way, do you kids need a chaperone? While I trust you all and am sure you will all be fine, it's better to have a responsible adult around. Better safe than sorry!"
"Oh yeah, I volunteered and said that I'd ask you to watch us, but Mint said that you would probably be busy and need to work, especially since we went a little overboard on Saturday."
"Mint said that? Huh…" Cream said with her eyes slightly widened. She placed her hand under her chin and thought for a moment before speaking her mind again. "Well, that certainly is thoughtful of her. She is right; I do have quite a bit of work. But I wouldn't have minded setting that aside to watch you all! Is someone else doing it instead?"
"Yeah, Masello said he'd ask his father to do it."
"Masello's dad? Oh yes, the Camerupt, Bubbington!" Cream said in a playful tone. "Hm, yes, he should be fine. He can raise a kid by himself, so six extra kids for a few hours shouldn't hurt."
"By himself? Does Masello not have a mother?"
"Ah, yes. The poor child only has one parent. Oh, and I advise you to try to avoid asking either of them the backstory on that. They can become quite…agitated if you ask." Cream warned.
"Okay then, I'll respect that then. It's none of my business after all."
"That's right," Cream nodded, "I'm glad to hear that you understand. Most kids your age would probably constantly pester until they get what they want! Hehe!" Cream chuckled.
"Y-yeah…" I nodded back slowly. I couldn't help but think that Cream also being slightly passive aggressive in that statement.
The next few days of school were slighter quieter than the first, at least until it was recess. The cousins had a mutual agreement that during lunch time I would sit with Auburn's table since I already sit next to Tangelo in class. Also Maple has joined, so Auburn's lunch table now holds five of us. Maple has been getting a lot more comfortable around Auburn, and her company is definitely appreciated by all of us. Due to Maple's example of being a normal kid becoming closer to Auburn, more and more of my classmates (mostly the girls) have been talking to Auburn more comfortably and even call her by her name. It's great seeing them all get along, but the one important Pokémon still isn't in good terms with her: Tangelo.
The moment recess starts, Tangelo, with Masello not far behind, would rush to me and try to take me away from Auburn. Every time I suggested that we should all play, Tangelo and Auburn would immediately lash on the idea, much to mine and everyone's dismay. Usually, Auburn would think of something to get away from Tangelo. One time she made Mint use Teleport to get us away, the poor Ralts was exhausted after teleporting five of us, even if it was a short distance!
"Look, Auburn, you've had him for the past four days! Let him hang out with someone else for once!" Tangelo shouted.
"Cobalt can make his own decisions, and he's decided to play with us again!" Auburn argued back.
"Err, actually…" I tried butting in quietly, especially since I technically didn't decide to play with Auburn.
"Stay out of this!" The angry Vulpix yelled before I could finish.
"Yes ma'am!" I flinched. Mint rolled her eyes, while Masello and Maple sighed. However, Tea surprisingly chuckled very faintly.
"See, you're forcing him to play with you! You're such hypocrite Auburn!" Tangelo stated, while Auburn, not being able to deny it, turned her head around and gave a loud "hmph!" sound. "Cobalt, come with us! You need to hang and meet other kids! Besides, everyone's saying things about you playing with four other girls!"
"T-they are?" I stuttered. I've never been gossiped about before, and I don't want to start! "W-w-what are they saying?!"
"They're saying that you might actually like girls!" Tangelo shouted in an extremely worried voice. The seven of us were silent for a moment, speechless from what Tangelo just said. I could see Masello from behind shaking his head and putting one of his forelegs on his head.
Auburn shook her head and turned around. "Tangelo, you're an idiot. We're leaving." The Vulpix beckoned her friends to follow her, leaving behind the dumbfounded Growlithe. I stood there, at a loss at how to handle this situation.
"U-um… S-sorry Tangelo. I'll hang with you next week for sure." I apologized and ran after my female friends, leaving my male friends behind.
Next week for sure…this plan will definitely work!
"Cobalt! Are you ready?!" Shouts outside my door could be heard. Its owner can only belong to one Pokémon.
I walk to my door and turn the knob to see Auburn with her backpack and a huge smile on her face. "You know, civilized Pokémon knock instead of shouting." I glared.
"Pfft, it's whatever!" The Vulpix playfully rolls her eyes, ignoring my statement. "So are you ready?!"
"Yeah, I guess." I answer, with my toy sword in one hand and my ball in the other, "Are we going to role-play at the park or something? Should I get my backpack too?"
"We might! Sure, why not? It'll be tons of fun! Especially since Mint, Tea, and even Maple will be coming! They can be the bad guys and we can be the heroes that save the world! No monster can withstand my mythical and mysterious magic spells!" Auburn jumps up and down excitingly with a toy wand in her paw. I couldn't help and also be pumped up after that.
"Haha, well what are we waiting for then? Let's go!" I grabbed my backpack, loaded it up, closed my bedroom door and headed for downstairs, Auburn trailing right behind me.
"Have fun kids! And stay out of trouble!" Cream waved at us as we passed by her office on the first floor of the hospital.
"Bye Cream!" Auburn and I said at the same time as we ran past her and through the hall.
I stepped outside with Auburn by my side and together we made our way to Homura Family Park. Mint and Maple said they would meet us there since they lived closer to the park than my house, and Tea said she would go alone, probably because she doesn't want to be around others if Mint isn't around.
The route to the park was essentially the same as the way to school, although with a few different turns. It was exactly as Maple said: just a few blocks away from the school. When we reached there, we were greeted by a humongous green area filled with nature and Pokémon. The park contained just about everything you would expect a park to have: open fields, hills, playgrounds, picnic tables, gazebos, and basketball and tennis courts. There was even a fountain, similar to the one at the castle!
"W-whoa! This is huge! There's so much stuff here!" I stood there in awe.
"Are you gonna react like this every time we go somewhere new?" Auburn teased.
"Hey, I can't help it! The city really is different than rural towns!"
"Haha, I know I'm just kidding!" Auburn laughed. "Mint said she'd meet us at the open field over there, let's go!" Auburn entered the park and ran towards the open field across the park, not waiting for me like always.
Heh, it's never a quiet day with her around! I smiled and ran after the hyper Vulpix. As I ran across the park I took the opportunity to let everything in. I made several "whoa's" and "wow's" as I passed by everything. This is nothing like the tiny park back home! There are so many Pokémon here!
After taking in the sights I turned my focus back to the open field. I saw Auburn standing there by herself, tapping her foot.
"Too slow!" She yelled as soon I was close enough.
"Sorry, I just wanted to look at everything!" I looked around the open field. It was mostly open, not that many Pokémon around. There were a few trees, some benches, a hill, and one of the playgrounds was also nearby. What I mainly noticed though was that none of my other friends were here yet. "Looks like we beat them here. Shall we wait for them at that bench?" I suggested as I pointed to the nearest bench.
"Yeah, sure I guess." Auburn nodded and headed to the bench. I followed and took a seat next to her.
…
…
…
Why is she being so quiet?!
"Umm…" I broke the ice and said something.
"Yes?"
"Uh, are you okay? You're unusually quiet." I asked. Auburn has never been this calm and quiet before around me.
"Oh, yeah. I was just thinking…"
"Thinking? You can do that?" I teased.
"And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" She pouted.
"Haha, I'm just kidding!"
"Hmph, Cream is totally rubbing off you!"
"Heh, sorry…" I apologized, "So what are you thinking about?"
"Just thinking about how peaceful and happy everything is around here. Look at everyone having fun here! It brings a smile to my face that this is such a peaceful kingdom…" Auburn smiled as she stared off in the distance.
"Auburn…"
"And me too! My life is so fun and filled with happiness lately. I got to meet you, got closer to Maple, and everyone in class is starting to treat me more like a normal kid! Of course, they still treat me slightly different, but at least they call me by my name! It's a start!" Auburn then looked down at the ground and gave of a melancholic expression, "I can't help but think it's all because that fateful day I decided to explore the forest… I don't want to even imagine what would've happened if I didn't go there…" She looked at me and smiled, her blazing red eyes shining, "I guess what I'm trying to say is…thanks... Thank you Cobalt!" Auburn then suddenly grabbed me into a tight hug.
"A-Auburn?!"
"Hahaha! Thanks Cobalt! My life has gotten so much more exciting since you showed up! It would be nearly impossible to get Mint to come to the park with me, but that's exactly what we're doing today! It's gonna be so much fun!" Auburn exclaimed and squeezed me tighter.
"Y-y-you're welcome A-Auburn. I-I'm t-thankful too, b-but could you not hug m-me so t-tightly…?"
"Oh my, what do we have here?" Auburn and I instantly turned our heads to see Maple, giving off a mischievous grin. Mint and Tea were also nearby.
"W-what are y-you doing Auburn?!" Mint squealed, her face red under her green hair.
"Oh! Um…" Auburn, flustered and embarrassed, quickly let go of me. "N-nothing!"
"Hehe, it looked like a lot more than nothing!" Maple giggled.
"It l-looked…really cute a-and romantic…" Tea said quietly, her face slightly flushed a light red.
"C-cute and r-r-romantic?!" Mint screamed. Her face became even redder and she started running around in a circle with her hands on her head. "W-w-waaaaaah?!" What's up with her?!
"W-why are you freaking out?!" Auburn complained at Mint's sudden outburst. "I…just felt like hugging him, that's all…" Auburn looked down, her face flushed.
Heh, Auburn's really cute when she's embarrassed like that…wait what did I just think?! I shook my head violently. "Ahem, ANYWAY! Shall we start playing?" I said nervously, looking left and right. They're still not here?
"Y-yeah! We're all here! Did you bring your stuff?"
"I brought some things," Mint, now calmed down, said as she removed her backpack, "Umm, here's a jump rop—"
"Ooh! That's perfect! We can totally play Explorers now!"
"Explorers?" I asked.
"Yup, you and I can be the hero Explorers and they can be the bad guys waiting at the end of the dungeon! Alright, I'll b—…oh no!" Auburn cut herself off and gasped.
"What's wrong?"
"Hello chaps!" A voice in that familiar and yet foreign accent calls out from the distance.
"I-it's Tangelo and Masello!" Auburn panicked. I looked at her direction and saw them nearby with a larger Pokémon with them.
"And a Camerupt? Is that Masello's father?"
"That would be correct, young bloke!" The Camerupt said in the same accent that Masello has, except in a more burly voice. "The name's Bubbington. Ah, Your Highness, pleased to make your acquaintance!" The Camerupt, Mr. Bubbington, bowed politely. "Along with the rest of you as well. Thank you for watching over and being friends with my adorable, lovable son!" He got up from his bow and hugged Masello.
"D-daaad! You're embarrassing me!" Masello complained. Hehe, they must be quite close!
"U-um, likewise…" Auburn replied back. "Masello, what are you doing here? With him nonetheless?!" She pointed at the Growlithe. "Shouldn't you be helping Uncle Arc out or something?!" Auburn yelled rudely to her cousin.
"What, is it against the rules for children to come to the park to play?" Masello answered back cool, causing Auburn to flinch.
"Yeah Auburn, I can play in the park with my friends too y'know!" Tangelo replied back sassily.
"Pfft, friends? What friends? All you have here is Masello!"
"Um, I'm pretty sure Maple and I are Tangelo's frie—"
"Stay out of this Cobalt!" The princess ordered.
"Yes ma'am! …Wait, no ma'am! I'm tired of this! Why don't we all play together? We're all here and there's so much to do!" I finally fought back and attempted to force them to play together.
"What?! Us play together? Ew, I would never play with a bunch of girls!" Tangelo rudely stated in a disgusted tone.
"Yeah! I don't want to play with him!" Auburn agreed.
"But Tangelo, wouldn't it be more fun with more Pokémon? And Cobalt and Maple are our friends too! Please? Let us join them in playing!" Masello begged.
"Yeah Tangelo! I want to be able to play with all of you! Please don't make me pick sides!" I joined Masello in begging Tangelo.
"Err…c'mon guys, you're making me look bad…"
"You've been doing that fine yourself without our help these past days!" Masello said harshly. Ouch, but it is the truth…
Tangelo let out a loud gasp with his eyes widened, before turning his head to avoid his best friend's eyes. "I-I…I guess we can join them…but just this once!" Tangelo said, his face redder than a cheri berry.
Masello and I both let out a gasp, surprised and yet satisfied that we were able to persuade Tangelo to join us. I looked to see Maple and Mint also relieved, while Tea looked happy…I think. Auburn on the other hand…
"What makes you think I'll let you join us?" She said haughtily.
"Oh come on Auburn! He's your cousin for crying out loud!" Mint yelled at her best friend, her patience finally at its limit. "I know you still like him! He's finally agreed to hang with you and here you are being the stubborn little princess!" All of us stood there in awe, speechless at seeing the cool and collected Mint yelling at the princess.
"M-Mint…" Auburn finally managed to say, her eyes wide and glossy, as if she was about to cry. Mint stood there angry for a bit, before gasping and realizing what just happened.
"Eep! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to lose my temper like that…" Mint turned around in embarrassment, "But I meant everything I said…" She said softly.
"She's right you know," Maple said as she walked up to Auburn, "Besides, the more the merrier! That's what I learned from a certain Vulpix!" She winked.
"Maple…"
"Come on Auburn, what do you say? Let's all play together and have fun!" I smiled warmly.
"Cobalt…heh, alright then…I-I guess Tangelo and Masello can join us…" She said quietly, looking in the other direction with her face red.
"Hehe, they really are family aren't they? They have the same reactions!" Maple teased. All of us laughed, except the two cousins.
"Shut up! We do not!" They both shouted simultaneously, only causing us to laugh harder.
"Aah, to be young again…" Mr. Bubbington commented quietly at the bench.
"Why does he get to be the main hero?!" Tangelo complained, being stuck with as a supporting party member. Auburn has decided that we, Team PokéHeroes, have are traversed the harsh conditions to reach a Mystery Dungeon in the heart of Sugarcane Forest, where the evil Bittercold has stolen the world's last hope, the Sweethot.
"Because only Strom can wield the legendary sword!" Auburn stated with her toy wand in hand. "As in only Cobalt can hold it properly." She pointed at me. Auburn decided that I will play as the main hero, Strom, a Snivy and the wielder of the legendary sword powered by Zekrom. Tangelo wanted to use the sword and be the main hero, but instead he's stuck with using a scarf tied around his foreleg, mimicking the fur on a Mienshao's arm.
"But Au—"
"I'm not Auburn! I am the brave and beautiful Serafine! Master of fire spells with my trusty wand!" Auburn said proudly as she twirled around with her wand. "And you are Siegfried the Mienshao, leader of the legendary Team PokéHeroes!"
"Ugh but I don't want to be Siegfried! Wouldn't it be better if Cobalt was Siegfried? They're both Fighting-types! And weren't Siegfried and Serafine lovers?!" Tangelo continued to complain.
"H-h-how is that relevant?!" Auburn shouted with her face slightly flushed.
"It's totally relevant! Also wasn't Serafine a Delphox?! Maple would be much more suited than y—"
"Ugh just shut up already and play along!" Auburn snarled.
I stood in between then, my eyes closed and a nervous chuckle leaving my mouth. "Eheheh, now, now, there's no need to argue. It's just for fun…" I tried to calm them down.
"Fine, I'll just deal with it…" Tangelo sighed, his head lowered in defeat.
"Good! Whenever you're ready Tea!" Auburn called out to the rest of our friends, who were standing on top of a hill.
"A-a-alright…M-muwaha…ha…T-Team PokéHeroes…p-p-prepare to…d-d-die..." Tea barely managed to say.
"Um, what did she say?" I asked Tangelo, who answered back with a shrug.
"TEA! YOU NEED TO GET INTO CHARACTER! BE LOUDER AND MORE AGGRESSIVE!" Auburn shouted to the top of the hill.
"Tea, come on, you got this!" Mint said trying to encourage her shy friend.
"R-right…m-more aggressive…" The Litwick repeated to herself, her eyes closed as if she was focusing. We stood there in silence, waiting for her to go on.
"Ummm….Tea?"
"Ahem… MUWAHAHAHAHA! FOOLISH TEAM POKÉHEROES! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME, THE INTELLEGENT MASTERMIND AND BITTERCOLD, LADY MUNAAH? I ALREADY HAVE YOUR PRECIOUS SWEETHOT CAPTURED AND IN MY HANDS! THIS WORLD SHALL BE ENGULFED IN DARKNESS! AHAHAHA!"
We all stood there in silence and awestruck. Not believing our ears, not believing our eyes, not believing what we all just witnessed.
"W-whoa…" Auburn managed to whisper.
"I-is that the same Litwick I know?!" I added, dumbfounded.
"W-we…we will defeat you and rescue our Sweethot, Llana! Strom! Serafine! Are you ready?" Tangelo shouted, snapping Auburn and I from our trance.
"Yes!" Auburn and I said simultaneously, nodding to our Exploration Team's leader.
"Good, then let's go!" Tangelo started charging up the hill.
"Right!" Auburn followed her cousin.
"Understood." I said coolly as I unsheathed my toy sword.
"T- Team PokéHeroes!" Maple shouted with concern, playing as Llana, also a Snivy the world's Sweethot and the opposite of the Bittercold, Lady Munaah the evil and crazy Munna. She was tied up with Mint's jump rope, and Tea stood in front of her, making sure she didn't do anything stupid.
"YOUR EFFORTS ARE FUTILE! GO, TOXIC AND PURRPLE! KILL THEM ALL!" Tea ordered her underlings, Mint and Masello.
"Yes ma'am!" Mint, as Toxic the Toxicroak, replied back as she swiftly made her way towards us.
"But of course!" Masello, as Purrple the Purugly, made his way down as well, just not as swiftly. Whether he was just being in character or he's just that slow, I wasn't sure.
"Remember the plan!" Tangelo shouted, charging onward towards Masello.
"I do believe any sort of plan you have will not work against the great Lady Munaah!" Masello shouted as he jumped and landed right in front of Auburn.
"Serafine!" Tangelo shouted. He's really getting into this!
"No problem! Take this, Flamethrower!" Auburn jumped back and twirled her toy wand gracefully.
"I don't think so!" Mint said confidently as she teleport and "punched" Auburn, making Auburn "lose" her focus. They're all really getting into this! I need to do my part too!
"Hey, Mint! That's cheating! Toxicroaks can't teleport!" Tangelo shouted.
"Oh! Oops!" Mint shrugged.
"Serafine!" I shouted, "Are you okay?!"
"Aah!" Auburn screamed as she fell on the ground. "I-I'm fine Strom! Don't forget the plan! Go save Llana! Siegfried and I can handle these two!" She shouted back as she got back into her fighting stance.
"Right!" I nodded and made my way up the hill.
"Not so fast!" Mint yelled, heading towards me.
"Stop right there, chap!" Masello, falling out of character, also made his way to me.
I continued to charge, the legendary sword powered by Zekrom himself (in toy form) in hand. "Out of my way!" I sliced and slashed the air in front of me, causing them to flinch back.
"Aah!" Mint jumped back.
"W-whoa!" Masello fell back on his side. Lava started pour out from his hump, just like last time.
"PFFFFT!" Auburn put her paws over her mouth to contain her laughter.
"Hahaha…! AHEM! Masello!" Tangelo stood there, also trying to fight back his laughter, "A…a..again?! Hahaha!"
"Sh-shut up!" Masello slowly got back up. "I-I-I…I, PURRPLE THE PURUGLY WILL KILL YOU ALL!" He shouted with his face red from anger and embarrassment. "TAKE THIS!" He started charging after the pair of laughing cousins.
"A-ah!" Auburn put her forelegs up to defend.
"Y-you will not be hurting Serafine!" Tangelo swiftly got up and bravely protected his cousin, taking Masello's "devastating" Tackle. "G-GAH!" Tangelo shouted "in pain."
"S-Siegfried!" Auburn and I yelled at the same time.
"You better watch what's going on around you…" A voice quietly came from behind me.
"STROM!" Maple shouted.
"Wha—AAH!" I turned around and jumped back just in time from a "deadly" Shadow Ball from Tea.
"Hmph! Not bad! But there's more where that came from! Now, DIE!" Tea shouted as she "charged" another Shadow Ball and "shot" it at me.
"W-whoa!" I swiftly rolled to the side and dodge. I ran around the hill as Tea continued her barrage of Shadow Balls, each one "barely" getting me.
"MUAHAHAHA! JUST GIVE UP AND DIE FOR ME!"
"Ungh, this isn't working! I can't just keep dodging!" I cursed under my breath. "…Huh?!" I gasped as I looked behind Tea. Everyone was busy fighting; nobody seemed to notice Maple loosen the rope and make her grand escape!
"SAY YOUR PRAYERS, BECAUSE YOU DIE N—AAH?!" Tea stumbled onto the ground.
"Llana!"
"Strom! Now!" Maple signaled me, holding Tea down on the ground.
"UNHAND ME, YOU FOOL!" Tea struggled to get out of Maple's grip.
"HAAAAAAAAAA!" I shouted, charging straight at the grounded Litwick.
"N-NOOOOOO!" Tea shouted as I charged and "impaled" through her body.
"LADY MUNAAH!" Mint exclaimed.
"FLAMETHROWER!" Auburn skillfully twirled her wand and unleashed a "terrifying stream of flames" onto the unsuspecting Ralts.
"AAAAHHH!" Mint screamed, before falling to the ground. "L-Lady Munaah…"
"Toxic?! L-Lady Munaah?!" Masello panicked.
"Finishing blow! High Jump Kick!" Tangelo leaped into the air and gracefully swiped his foreleg (the scarf) onto Masello.
"HNNGH?!" Masello collapsed onto the ground. "A-ah…I…I will be with you soon…my chaps…" He said quietly before breathing his final breath.
"We…we did it…" I said slowly, staring at my friends, "dead" on the ground.
"Stroooooooommmm!"
"Huh?" I turned around, "Waah!" I was tackled on the ground by both Auburn and Tangelo. Auburn gripped me into a tight hug, while Tangelo just got on top of the pile.
"We did it! We did it!" Auburn kept repeating over and over.
"Strom that was awesome!"
"T-thanks guys, b-but I can't b-breathe…" I feel like I've said that so many times ever since I've met Auburn…
"Oh! Sorry, hehe." The cousins said together.
Maple slowly approached us with a smile, "Thank you, Team PokéHeroes, for saving me. Now that the Bittercold has been defeated, this world has been saved. We can all live peacefully." Maple said slowly in a strange, royal accent, different from Masello's.
"Yaaaaaaaaaay! The world is saved! Go us!" Auburn celebrated, jumping around happily. The three of us laughed at her energetic celebration.
"Umm…" We looked to see where that came from. It was Masello, slowly getting back up. "Are we done? Can we get up now?"
"Yeah we're done… for now!" Auburn giggled.
"Whew, good! Because I am STARVING! Role-playing sure does build up an appetite! Daaaad! I'm hungrrrryyyy! You didn't eat all the biscuits did yoooou?!" Masello ran down the hill and to the bench where Mr. Bubbington was watching us. Mint and Tea also got up joined us, all of us laughing at silly glutton Masello.
"Haha, well that was fun! Right Tea?" Mint laughed.
"OHMIGOSH, TEA! THAT WAS AMAZING! I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD IT IN YOU!" Auburn ran up and got all close into Tea's face.
"I was quite shocked as well. That was quite the performance!" I added, with Tangelo and Maple agreeing with me.
"Y-y-y-y-y-yeeeaaahhh…" Tea's face instantly became bright red and she zipped right past Auburn to hide behind Mint.
"Ahaha, Tea can really get into things. It's been forever since I saw her do it though!" Mint laughed, rubbing the back of her head.
"M-Mint…" Tea whispered, shoving her face onto Mint's back.
The five of us stood there, laughing and having a good time. Eventually even Tea joined us in laughing and soon nothing but laughter could be heard on the hill. I even noticed Auburn and Tangelo stop and look at each. They stopped laughing for a second, but then they both smiled and continued to laugh. It was great seeing then get along! Maybe they will be friends again and the arguing will stop!
"Tangelo, is that you?" An unknown voice, barely audible from my friends' laughter, came from behind us. The girls and I stopped laughing to look who said that, but Tangelo's eyes widen and he just stood there in place, frozen, as if he was scared for his life.
"Garnet!" Auburn shouts, pointing at the Torchic with a confused and yet disgusted look on his face. Next to him was an equally confused but not as disgusted looking Cyndaquil. "And Jon!"
"Oh, the Pokémon in our class that all the boys think are cool?" I asked.
"That's right! I'm the most popular in class you transfer student!" Garnet said rather proudly.
"T-transfer student?" I said, rather dumbfounded. Is he insulting me?
"And I am his best friend, Jonquil, though you can call me Jon." The Cyndaquil introduced himself. "It's nice to finally meet you Cobalt."
"R-right…same here…" Well at least Jon is much nicer than this so-called most popular kid…
"Tangelo, what are you doing playing with these girls?!" Garnet shouted rudely.
"I-I…" stood there, still not facing Garnet.
"He is playing with his dear cousin and his other chaps!" Masello said, seemingly coming out of nowhere. Which would've looked pretty cool if he didn't have crumbs on his face…
"Masello!" Tangelo finally snapped out and turned around. Masello smiled at his best friend and nodded.
"Is there a problem with that Garnet?" Masello defended.
"Um, yeah? Duh! He's playing with a bunch of girls!"
"Um...I'm not a girl…" I said quietly while raising my hand nervously.
"Pfft, you pretty much are! You refuse to hang with us, instead playing with those four stupid girls!" Garnet spat out.
"Hey, don't talk to Cobalt like that!" Auburn said angrily, stomping towards the rude Torchic.
"You stay out of this! You may be royalty, but you're still a stupid girl!" Garnet shouted.
"H-hey now Garnet, she's the princess!" Jon whispered as he nudged his friend.
"It's whatever! Besides, she wants us to treat her like a normal kid right? So I'm gonna treat her like a normal stupid girl!"
"HEY!" Someone shouted rather loudly. We all turned are heads to see that the source came from Tangelo, and he looked rather angry…
Tangelo quickly walked up to Garnet's face, standing in front of Auburn, as if he was protecting her. "This so-called 'stupid girl' is my cousin, my friend, and your princess! I don't appreciate you talking to HER HIGHNESS in that tone, so why don't YOU get out of here and play with your boring club of elitist boys doing whatever lame stuff you had us do, while I continue to have fun with my real friends!"
We all stood there in awe, speechless at Tangelo's admirable actions. Even Garnet and Jon stood there, eyes wide, dumbfounded, and jaws dropped.
"T-Tangelo…" Auburn whispered. Her eyes became glossy and she looked like she wanted to cry.
"W-w-whatever! Let's get out of her Jon!" Garnet, obviously flustered and upset, quickly turned around stomped out of here.
"R-right..." Jon answered back. He turned around to follow Garnet, but stood there and paused, turning her head back at us. "That was really cool Tangelo! And Princess, sorry for Garnet's rude behavior. I know the girls aren't really stupid, but Garnet's my friend, so what can you do?" He shrugged and ran after his infuriated friend.
We continued to stand there silently, still amazed at Tangelo for defending. Auburn, however, started shivering, tears pouring down her face.
"T-Tangelo!" Auburn cried and jumped on her cousin, hugging him tightly. Glad I'm not the only one she does that to. I mentally giggled.
"A-Auburn! Are you…crying?"
"Tangelo, I'm so sorry! *sniff* I'm so, so, SO sorry for treating you like crap!" Auburn cried, her voice muffled due to her shoving her face onto Tangelo.
"A-Auburn I…no," Tangelo started to cry as well, "I-I'm *sniff* s-sorry… It's all my fault! I'm s-sorry! I'm the one that stopped playing with you! I'm the one that ignored you! I'm the one that called you stupid! I'm the one that started all the arguments! I'm s-sorry!"
"N-no it's my fault! *sniff* I-I didn't try talking to you. I-I was too stubborn, so I argued back, but truthfully I just w-wanted my cousin back! I wanted to go back to how it was before but I-I…!"
The two cousins shared a rather emotional and happy reunion. Mint started to cry as well, holding on to Tea who also looked like she was going to cry. Maple stood there with a grin on her face; happy to see them finally back to how they were. Masello, however, joined the crying cousins in their hug, his eyes like faucets.
"O-oh *sniff* I am SO delighted to see the true Tangelo!" Masello cried, hugging his best friend.
"M-Masello! I-I can barely breathe with you hugging me too!"
The other girls and I laughed, witnessing their joyful display of friendship. "Haha…isn't this great Cobalt? We did it!" Maple said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Waaah! I-I'm s-so happy to see Auburn like this! *sniff*" Mint continued to cry.
"Yeah…we really did it! Haha, I'm so happy!" I shouted with tears in my eyes. A smiled creeped onto my face as I stood there among my six friends.
At last, we're all friends now! I've made quite the assortment of friends since I came here… I smiled and looked up at the clear blue, sky with the sun shining brightly. Tears began to slowly roll down my cheeks. Plum, I hope you're watching over this. It's great with more friends! …I just wish you were here too.
Whew, finally done! A lot happened here. I hope you enjoyed Cobalt and Co.'s little RPing. I had fun writing it haha. SO MANY REFERENCES! I also tried to add some shippy moments. A few people have PM'd me asking when the romance was going to start, but that won't be for a while. SO INSTEAD HAVE SOME SUBTLE SHIPPY MOMENTS!
Oh, and Bubbington is also OC from Starry's Light. Thanks Starry! And Garnet...I admit I made his name similar to Ruby from Shadow Snivy's "Thunder and Ice." Teehee! GARNET IS A JERK JUST LIKE RUBYYYYYY!
See you in another two weeks-ish and like always, thanks for reading!