The Legend of Yellow
By: hydro-serpent58
Chapter 28: Reflection
"It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded, who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, and more desolation. War is hell." - General William Tecumseh Sherman
The seamless dark blue sky stretched endlessly into the unknown. Standing alone in an empty field, the girl found herself in a familiar place.
"Hello?" She called, her cyan blue eyes scanning the area.
Silence.
Suddenly violent gusts swept into the field shaking the tall grass, and white petals danced encircling her before going on their way. The girl's breath hitched, before taking off desperately chasing after the petals. Her plain white sundress shone in the moonlight and her hair looked almost black as it whipped behind her.
"Wait!" She cried sprinting after them.
She was a fast runner no doubt; in fact she was probably the fastest out the Pokédex holders, with only Sapphire having a chance at catching up.
Yet, the petals paid no heed, and once again the wind picked up pulling higher, and higher. Reaching her hand out the researcher nearly snagged a petal; it grazed her fingertips and...vanished.
Just like that, the petals were swept out of her reach; they twirled and danced as they circled higher and higher before being engulfed by the moons' light.
Slowly, she came to a stop staring at the moon. The pathway had led her here but... Neku, where are you? There was no bloody butterfly in sight.
"Crystal." A single word shattered the silence.
Jerking, Crys snapped her head around only to be greeted by a familiar face. The color drained from her face.
"You..."
~ I am a vicious page break, I know how to dance. ~
Mist sat crossed legged in the sand, staring intently into the fire. Across from her Crystal and Yellow were leaning against a boulder sharing a blanket. The blue head was fast asleep leaning her head on Yellow's shoulder while the fisherwoman was gently petting her scalp, and looking at the stars. Kitt had gone off somewhere excusing himself from camp leaving the three ladies behind.
A lot had happened, from being separated, to obtaining Celebi's gem, then meeting an assassin, and to clearing an Onmyouji's name.
Iris...
And after all this excitement, the Royal Maiden finally had time to sit down and think.
When she had first taken on the mission, she had been downright excited. After all, it wasn't every day you were chosen to be the advisor of a Chosen One destined to save two worlds, as cliché as it sounded, she was ecstatic.
Was being the keyword.
She couldn't believe how childish she had been back then, thinking everything was a game. With her alongside the Chosen One, nothing could go wrong. They'd ensure peace together, it'd be challenging, but they could make it! After all, if it was easy what would be the fun in that?
The day Yellow almost died shook her beliefs. The image of a certain dark haired assassin flashed through her mind.
Yellow's cold and much too pale body was still. So very still. Her sword and shield tossed haphazardly across the sand, too far to even reach. A couple meters away Crystal was on the ground trapped in ice. Her body slowly shutting down to preserve heat, the beginnings of frostbite was already appearing on her ears and fingers.
Mikanduo hovered above the girl's lifeless form, her hair shadowed her face blurring her expression. And then, she brought the sai down plunging the short sword into the blonde's chest. The scent of copper stung her noise as the silver metal turned crimson red.
The garden pixie shuddered, rubbing the goose bumps on her arms.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the ghosts, the Liger Queen, or even Foxie that scared her the most. It had been that one memory, that one time when the pixie couldn't do anything. She'd been helpless.
Lying uselessly on the ground, the pixie could only watch what was happening through hazy, clouded eyes. No... She had thought, and in a slow and painful motion she willed herself to move. But all she could do was raise a single hand towards the dying blonde before blacking out.
Everything had turned out all right in the end, Mikan- no, Tamashii had become a great ally. But the image of her cold crimson eyes matching the red leaking out of Yellow's chest was too much sometimes.
She had almost failed her mission. Failed Queen Mizuchie. Failed the two worlds. Failed Yellow.
And that was what scared her the most.
At first, she thought the Chosen One would be some heroic human that would be up to the challenge, someone strong, brave, and most of all, no afraid to fight.
What she had ended up with, was a timid blonde girl who had qualms with killing and had an obvious crush on a blacked haired boy but, didn't have the courage to confess. That, and she'd had the ride of her life inside the bottle Yellow carried when she was running from some pyscho chasing her.
Now that she thought about it, the olive eyed girl had never actually told who was pursuing her. And she'd had the urge to hurl; grimly she'd wondered if the experience is what Yellow's Uncle had gone through when describing the sensation the Queen Mizuchie. Least the say, it wasn't the very best first impression.
At first Mist had taken advantage of Yellow, from commanding the blonde to steal from that shop to literally forcing her into combat despite her reluctance. It was fine, after all Mist was the advisor, and the Chosen was the one who took the advice.
She never imagined she'd grow attached to the blonde so quickly. When Crystal had entered the picture, the pixie had felt a foreign feeling enter her heart. She found herself glaring at the blue head for making Yellow worry, and would tune out when the blonde would start rambling about her friends. She hadn't understood it then, but she did now.
She was jealous.
Crystal was strong and independent. She answered to no one, and was free. She had been the one to defeat the Liger Queen, she had been the one to draw Phantom out, it was she that Yellow turned to for comfort.
Mist was small, so small in fact that a shuriken could take her out. (Tamashii had proven that) Her powers could only do so much, and the fact that remained was one thing. She was tied to the Fairy Court. She was the one who humiliated Iris and stole her future. She had taken the Lunar Pathway and fallen asleep while Crystal had not. She had not been able to save Yellow, Crystal did by having Mega revive both of them. It was Crystal not Mist, who had helped.
She had been a burden.
Yet, watching Crystal transform into an ice bird and slay enemies with her whip was stunning. She couldn't help but be mesmerized at how in sync those two were, Crys being the long ranged fighter and Yellow having close combat. Their movements were fluid and fought in unison, and they hadn't even fought together before. Mist had been with Yellow for a while, she had been there when Yellow had fought alone yet, and they could never match each other's movements.
It was then she realized, those two were connected in a way she'd never understand.
That was when the gravity of the situation hit her, hard. Even small villages were targeted. Not because they posed a threat, but it was for fun.
This wasn't some fairy tale (oh the irony) where everyone would live happily ever after. It was war, and war is hell. Casualties would be on both sides, and in this case, the entire Sprite Army was to pay the price.
Mist had lived with the Fairy Court all her life, Sakuya had sheltered her from the outside world, she knew nearly nothing about the Council, a sector made up of an entirely different species that the Queen answered to. Even after becoming a Royal Maiden, she stayed by the Queens side and never explored; which was part of the reason she'd been enthusiastic to accompany Yellow in the first place. Never seeing what the outside was like before, it was her chance.
Unlike Iris, who had seen the cold, dark world out there and knew of its cruelness. As commander of the Knights, she's been subjected to its harshness unlike other pixies who were sheltered. She also never interacted with other pixies anymore; she was constantly surrounded by Sprites. Their dull wings were nothing in comparison to the sleek colorful wings on pixies, yet they had something the pixies didn't. And that was knowledge of physical combat.
Give a pixie a sword and it's probably stare at you as if you were a ravenous bird attempting to eat them. Iris was not one of them. Unlike Mist, who had to travel in a bottle to protect her wings and help regulate body temperature, Iris had adapted.
All her life, she'd strived to be something, do something that Mist couldn't do.
And that's part of the reason she'd changed so much. Mist thought guiltily.
It was her fault for driving Iris over the edge, if she'd been more aware of the pain she had been causing the other, then perhaps...maybe then, the darkness in her heart wouldn't have been exploited.
And maybe then, she wouldn't have died.
~ I'm a page break, laugh at me and I'll kill you ~
Crystal stared, her body frozen-unable to tear her gaze from the boy.
A 13 year old stood before her, the moonlight danced upon his hair giving the appearance of a halo. He wore simple black slacks and a white formal shirt with the top buttons opened. The hat that usually covered his head was missing, yet warm amicable eyes peered back at her.
Crystal felt as if a rock was lodged in her throat. Swallowing thickly she asked hoarsely, "K-kenta?" Her voice trailed off hesitantly, afraid to believe that this was actually real.
He smiled. And that was when the dam broke. Choking on air, sobs racked the girl's body. "T-this isn't possible...y-you're dead. How could...?"
Unable to continue, she buried her face in her hands shuddering. This is all just a dream, and when I wake up, he won't be here. A pang resonated in her heart. Neku, how could you be so cruel...?
Suddenly warmth enveloped her entire body. She gasped, and her back arched as arms gently wrapped around her body embracing her. She found her face buried in a chest. Her face flushed; even through the shirt she could clearly feel defined muscles.
No way, was Kenta really this fit? She thought as she deeply inhaled. Cinnamon and mint... just like he used to smell. She thought finding herself drowning in the scent.
Kenta brought up one hand to gently cup the back of her skull, "Crys, it's really me. You have no idea how much I've missed you, but I promise. This is real." He said softly resting his chin on top of Crystal's head.
Crystal trembled, "How do I know? How do I know this isn't just a dream-"
"This is a dream."
The girl stilled, "What?"
Kenta pulled away and Crys immediately found herself missing the warmth. Internally she smacked herself; she shouldn't be feeling this way! This wasn't even real...
His hands move to her waist and stayed there, his dark eyes stared tenderly into Crystal's cyan blue orbs causing her to flinch. Sighing, he responded, "Crys, I am dead. I have been for years, but I left this world without ever telling you how much you mean to me. I miss you...although it seems you've forgotten me, considering you haven't visited my grave in years..."
Crystal cringed trying to look away, yet Kenta's steady dark eyes locked unto hers. "I'm not angry, I'm happy."
Crystal blinked, "Huh?"
Kenta smiled, "I was afraid you'd blame yourself for my death, and wouldn't befriend anyone during your depression. But it seems I was wrong, you've met so many amazing people and accomplished so much. I'm just glad you surrounded yourself with true friends, and was able to move on finding solace in them."
Crystal shifted uneasily, "They don't even know about you," she whispered softly, "I've never even told them about you."
"So? Pokémon can only do so much, you need human companionship. And even if you don't share your nightmares, that's ok."
Crystal slowly looked up, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. "Why? Why have you come now?"
"Do you think it's easy for the dead to contact the living?"
"Uh..."
"If so, don't you think countless people would have tried to contact their loved ones before they vanished completely?"
Crystal furrowed her brow, "That still doesn't explain anything."
Kenta smiled relieved she had stopped crying and gently raised his hand to brush away the tears. "The Lunar Pathway allows me to contact you through dreams. Why? It is simply because; I am your greatest regret."
Crystal sniffed, "You mean Neku let you?"
"The butterfly you mean? Yes, she let me because she knew I had no ill intentions."
"So...it really is you."
"Yes."
The two stopped talking and simply stared, trying to soak up the image of the other and commit it to memory. Crystal's eyes wondered from the halo, to his eyes, and to the scar on his collar bone.
Gently reaching out, Crystal touch at the base of his neck. Kenta was surprised but didn't move away, he stood still and allowed her to unbutton his shirt. As the shirt peeled away it revealed that the scar had stretched downwards down the neck and slashed across the chest.
Blinking away renewed tears, Crystal gently traced the outlines of the scars, with Kenta silently watching her concentrated expression. Shivers ran through across his skin with her light touch.
"You're older." She spoke breaking the silence.
"And so are you."
Crystal's lips quirked up, "I'm surprised you're this fit, weren't you a scrawny kid before?"
"Scrawny, but still quicker than you."
"You were taller."
"You were just plain short."
"I kicked your butt at soccer."
"At least I know how to use a kitchen. How do you set milk on fire, seriously?"
Crystal's face flushed, before she started giggling. Soon it was full blown laughter, Kenta's chuckles joining hers.
When the laughter died down, Crystal leaned in, and for the first time in years, hugged someone.
"I miss you Kenta, I'm sorry I haven't thought about you, but please believe me, you will always be my first best friend. Heck, my very first friend. I promise I'll visit you grave when I get back. I'll go every year."
Her voice lowered, "And I...love you."
Kenta squeezed her tightly, his hot breath in her ear, "I love you too Crys."
He suddenly let go and pulled away confusing the blue head. Before she could question him a light pressure appeared on her forehead, looking up her face turned several shades of pink. He was kissing her.
Leaning back he continued, "However, there seems to be another whose heart you've captured. And he longs for you."
Crystal stared up at him dumbly. "Eh?"
Kenta chuckled at her obliviousness ruffling her hair. "Just give him a chance ok?"
Turning away he looked up at the moon, "Well, looks like it's time to say good-bye."
Crystal immediately protested, "No! I only just got to speak with you-" She was silenced by a finger on her lips.
"Good-bye Crystal, may happiness always smile upon you." [1] With one final kiss on her forehead, the moon glowed blinding Crys.
The last thing she saw was a bloody butterfly in the moon.
~ I'm an epic page break, here me roar! ROO~AAR! ~
Eyelids slowly fluttered open. Sleepily glancing around, Crys saw the sunlight just beginning to creep over the horizon.
"So, you're awake."
Her eyes traveled towards the campfire where Kitt sat, in his hands he was chewing on a piece of fish.
"The other two are still asleep. Come eat breakfast, we have a long journey ahead."
Nodding, Crystal carefully got up and wrapped her share of the blanket around Yellow. She smiled and brushed some hair out of the older girl's face taking in her peaceful expression, before walking back towards Kitt.
He was right; this was only just the beginning.
[1] It's a reference to the good luck charm from the game, Mad Father.
*A/N: I'd like to thank my reviewers:
Shiki and Ichijo Forever
Lol, I shall forever call you by that pen name since it's easy to remember! xD Thank you for never giving up hope! Q_Q I know I would be frustrated if someone didn't update as fast as I liked, but life has gotten in the way. After, this entire chapter was a spur of the moment thing. O_O I just started typing and couldn't stop.
xxx
I will refer to you by this since it's easier to type out! =p Anyways, lol I don't think Jīn would forget his name. He just went with the flow, if other people went by nicknames he would too. xD Are you going to get Pokémon X and Y? It's the next generation. ;) Anyways Hiori is from Phantom Thief Pokémon 7 and Shou is from Mezase! Card Master, they're both mangas. Thank you for the kind review!
pikaace
Thank you very much! Hopefully this chapter doesn't disappoint. I just thought, after all this action and interludes, there hasn't been time for everything to slow down. After all, if I just fought off a bunch of ghosts, traveled through a fire dungeon, and almost drowned I'm pretty sure I'm need time to just sit down and digest it. So I slowed the pace a little and did a review of all the events that happened, plus I wanted to explore Mist's point of view and give her more background.
gokkylegend
Crys may seem powerful now, but keep in mind that even though Yellow is the protagonist I do not want to make her a marry sue. Crys' specialty is ice, and since she can control and element and is an Animorph, naturally she has an advantage and seems stronger. However, you have to take into account Yellow's personality. Her strengths are not the same as Crys, so although Crys will kick butt in fighting, Yellow's strength will focus on something else. Just because Crys is a more effective battler doesn't mean Yellow's weak. In the manga she never wanted to fight in the first place while Crys has always been athletic. Don't worry, Yellow will show everyone who's boss. ;)
Ok, I know it's been a while. My computer crashed; I lost EVERYTHING, meaning notes for future chapters/stories, school work, as well as other person projects. It sucks. =_= On a side note, the next generation of Pokémon is here! They don't look as outrageous as Isshu's starters, although I have no idea what the grass starter is supposed to be! xD The fire type is a fox, and the water type is a frog. :3
Have a great weekend everyone!*
~hydro-serpent58
