August came and went without a hitch. Aaron was released from the dungeons, but he always visited Damos and Ian whenever he had spare time. Unfortunately that wasn't very often because the Day of the Promise was nearing at a frightening rate.
Ada saw the full change of fourteen winters on the eighth day of August and received many wonderful gifts: an oil lantern in the shape of a Pichu, her favourite Magical Creature, crafted by Mr Kuro, Aaron's father and Aaron himself; a little glass and ice snowflake pendant with a silver chain from David and Lucy; a classy new mid-thigh length white and blue trimmed tunic and matching knee length blue skirt from Sabina; a beautiful portrait of the whole family and Ada's friends from Damos, a simple set of pyjamas from Ian and a white gold and gold hairbrush, comb and hand mirror from Nana.
She loved all her gifts and only stopped using them (except for the pyjamas, of course) when she was asleep. Not that she was vain, but because she couldn't afford to have Marcus sneaking up on her like he did quite often.
"One more month," Ada whispered to Pichu, who was riding on her shoulder. "One more month."
"Pi, pi, Pichu," Pichu replied, which Ada took for, "Yes, indeed."
"Ada, I must say you look absolutely dashing," a voice slithered into her ear.
"Uncle Marcus!" Ada cried, turning around and stopping so abruptly that Pichu was knocked to the ground. "Oops, sorry, Pichu."
"Pichu, chu." Ada took that for "It's okay."
"What are you doing here, Uncle?"
"Trying to figure out where your father hid the Jewel of Life."
"I take it the kitchen was unsuccessful, then," Ada said sarcastically.
"If it weren't, then why am I here, trying to find out from you?"
"You won't find out from me. Aaron told me what he did for it back in June. You are horrible! He honestly didn't know the whereabouts of the Jewel of Life! Uncle, this is the thirtieth time already since my birthday! When are you going to get it into your head that I am never going to tell you?! Until the day Arceus comes, it will be a secret I will take to my grave! Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal clear," Marcus's voice was laced with icy venom. "Bronzong!" he called. Bronzong showed himself and was glowing with a bright blue sheen. "Your Hypnosis on Ada, if you please."
"NO! Pichu, use your Thunder attack on Bronzong at full blast!"
"Pi, pi, CHU!" Pichu cried as a magnificent bolt of lightning emanated from her miniature form and struck both Bronzong and Marcus. When Pichu was no longer charged, Ada grabbed her and they ran down to the servants' quarters, taking the long route down and leaving muddy footprints going in all directions. 'Surely even HE will get lost with such a twisting, winding trail,' she thought. She knew she was putting all her eggs in the one basket. Still she hoped against hope that she wasn't counting her Torchic before they'd hatched.
She finally reached the servants' quarters. The door was closed and entry was barred if one didn't know the password. She knocked. Bang. Bang. Bang.
A panel opened in the door and David's eyes were showing. "What's the password?" he asked.
Ada thought very hard. What about the incantation? "'Transcend the confines of time and space'?" she guessed.
"Incorrect. Try again."
She thought even harder this time. Why not the very thing they were trying to return? "'Jewel of Life'?"
"Incorrect." This was getting difficult. She racked her brain and found something which Uncle Marcus would never guess.
"'Master Marcus is a sore loser'?" Ada tried again, grinning broadly.
"Correct." The panel closed and the door opened. "Ada, in future, please try not to say that too loudly, alright?"
"Certainly."
"Come inside. We're already there."
Ada walked inside and was led by David to a small crate surrounded by her three good friends. She and her friends looked stunning in their celebratory attire yet she wondered why they were dressed like that.
Lucy stood and tried walking gracefully to her friend but tripped over the long, trailing Ariados and Spinarak silk skirt and was caught by Ada.
"You alright there, Lucy?" Ada asked, helping Lucy back up.
"I'm just not used to this length, that's all."
Ada sat down next to Aaron and David. "It feels like forever since all four of us were just sitting down and talking."
"Probably because we haven't done that before, Ada," David answered.
"No, no, remember all those evenings in the rowan tree?" Lucy asked.
"You're right, Lucy," Aaron confirmed.
"And we haven't done that since we were… what, eight or nine?"
"Because the tree was chopped down to make room for a new field."
"I miss those lazy days…"
"I know what you mean. I'm beginning to wish that the asteroid never came. That way we wouldn't have to worry about a certain uncle of mine."
"But look how strong this has made everyone!"
"If only he stayed in that hermitage…"
They were silent for a while, each mulling everything over. Marcus, too, was mulling things over, after having long given up on the hunt for Ada. Why was he doing this? He had the power. The voice for his opinion. He had it all. Then why did he feel so… empty? The Jewel of Life would make his life much better, especially the knowledge that they would succeed in keeping it. Wouldn't it?
He shook his head. Of course it would! But September was nearing, and would be at their doorstep in a few days. His plan would come into fruition and would succeed.
Meanwhile, a young mind and body was learning to make quick use of a longbow and javelin. Taught by the greatest master of both weapons, the resident builder himself, Machamp, Damian was a quick study. Machamp even enlisted the help of Machoke and Machop for this young student. By the middle of the afternoon on the day he started learning, Damian was already a little aficionado and was even beginning to learn how to ride a Rapidash and use the weapons while riding.
But the boy had other things on his mind. His uncle, for one. Why did he want to keep the Jewel of Life? That was the one thing he simply could not understand, and he was wise beyond his six autumns. He knew September was nearing, and with it, the day the moon would cover the sun. Damian wished he could get inside Uncle Marcus's head so he could see why he was doing this to their family.
Final preparations were being made for the twenty-second day of September. They were all frightened. The Magical Creatures had no choice.
Is it going good so far? Do you like the story? I think Chapter 27 will be where Arceus is attacked. Or the next one.