High School Union, Chapter 53

Arceus; Alright, now EmeraldDragon1 is starting to feel that this story is coming to a close. He doesn't have very many ideas left for extreme drama, so if anyone has some kind of request, please submit it. Keep in mind that he does not want to use anything as extreme as rape or drugs, so please leave those out. Thus far, most of our characters have experienced some form of their own drama, and each case was unique. So, once again, if you come up with anything, please let us know at once and we'll see what we can do.

Dialga; We start off today's Story Spotlight with The Absol's Curse, by EmeraldDragon1.

Azelf; We kick off the ratings with the United States in the lead.

Latias; Following that is the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Shaymin; Then we end with the Philippines and Canada.

The Story, Part Two; Mew's POV

The day was starting off as tense as I expected it to, but hoped would be different. After putting with less-than-desirable conditions for the overwhelming majority of my life, you'd think I would breeze through something like this. The truth is I was as uneasy as the rest of my friends, and there wasn't much I could do. All I could hope for was that Uxie's plan went without a hitch, since I had no better ideas myself.

All went well throughout breakfast, if in a depressed or tense way. But we managed to survive it, so I had to give us points for that. Latios covertly disappeared when the time came to set up our plans to, hopefully, find and extract an answer from the culprit of this whole mess. And even then we had to make sure Latias didn't brutally beat or kill the girl responsible.

Now, that's not to say I don't understand where she's coming from; if I saw any other guy makin' a move on Mespirit, well, let's just say the last anybody'd see of him is the missing person's page.

All idle threats aside, we packed a decent amount of food, planning this to be a sort of stakeout if need be. Of course, we wouldn't be pressing past sundown, nor could we stay past our allotted week of relaxing. Boy, I was really keeping my fingers crossed that we found the girl.

Once everything was set up, Uxie went up to get Latios so we could make sure Latias didn't blow up at the sight of him. Of course, with the planning Uxie, Azelf, Mespirit and I concocted last night, she wouldn't have any choice once we set up our stakeout. But the details on that will come later.

Uxie brought Latios in right after Latias exited the house, and I asked in a low voice

"Hey man, how you holdin' up?" He turned a dark yet defeated gaze at me and replied

"How do I think? The girl of my dreams hates my guts right now, I can't even freakin' look at her without it becoming a federal case! I wish we hadn't come up here for the week." I nodded in understanding and tried to encourage him

"Hey, I feel you, man. But think of it like this; when you and Latias overcome this, you'll be closer for it, eh?" He looked up doubtfully and asked skeptically

"And if we don't?" I grinned and pulled him along, telling him

"I didn't give that option. Now come on, the rest will be waiting for us." Latios shuffled along as fast as he could manage, but he was still shuffling. Eventually we managed to spot the gang in front of us. Latias was hidden from our view, probably in an effort to keep Latios from springing forward and trying things his way. But I wouldn't be able to blame him for it.

We soon came upon the river, and Latios turned to me and asked skeptically

"You haven't fully explained the plan; what are we going to do?" I took a deep breath and narrated

"We're going to try and recreate the original scene, but with a couple differences this time. We suspect that Stephanie, our perp, was attracted to you because you were engaged in hard work. Latias' account suggested you were striking like that. We hope that she's here and spots you, then comes back for a second try." Latios looked very doubtful and told me

"It sounds like that plan will fail. It's based off a lot of variables that might not happen." I shrugged and replied

"Maybe, but it was the best way we could think of without going on a manhunt, or womanhunt, which would waste time and resources we don't have. Besides, chances are she'll come back here to brood on your rejection and her failure, or on the off-chance you'll return and she can score this time." Latios' eyes darkened and I hastened to explain the rest of the plan further.

"The difference this time is you'll have witnesses and I'll be hiding to catch her by surprise. We can take her in, so to speak, and extract the information from her that we need. Once we have that, everything should hopefully go back to normal?"

"'Hopefully?'"

"Hey, it's the best we can manage right now. Just don't give up yet, okay?" He smirked humorlessly and quipped dully

"When can I give up, then?" We all exchanged ill-humored chuckles, then began to set up our positions, Mespirit and Azelf taking posts with Latias in tow at the outcropping of rock she hid behind before, where they could see but avoid being seen. Uxie, Dialga and Arceus began to work on the bridge that was our project only yesterday. This would be, hopefully, be the shortest break-up and recovery period we'd ever see. But only time and fate could tell.

Giratina, Shaymin, Palkia, and Celebi were doing their part, too. They'd set up posts down along the direction past our "bridge", designating birdcalls as signals if the girl was elsewhere. Giratina set up shop on the large boulder that rested just behind the mini-waterfall, where she'd have a good view of the general area. She could see all of us, with the exception of the girls and boy that went further downstream. She would also be able to see me in my hiding space and if the girl we were waiting for was approaching.

The two girls with Latias were in position, Giratina was on her perch, I was in my hiding spot, the boys back at the bridge were setting to work, and everything seemed clear. I looked up at Giratina, who checked around and gave me a thumbs-up. I nodded in response and told Latios

"Alright, get to work! Remember, she probably won't come unless you're really putting effort into it." Latios slumped and asked dully

"How can I? I have no energy." Giratina threw a pebble at his head, catching his attention painfully and shouted down at him

"Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get to work already! She's the moth and you're the light! Now start burning!" He grinned wanly and shook his head, then began to pick up rocks at random, checking them over. Those he didn't approve of, he simply tossed them to the side, being careful to avoid where we were hiding.

Soon enough, he started getting more and more invested into his work, and soon an actual grin touched him. He worked faster, more studiously, and with more intensity than anything other than making out with Latias. I looked up at Giratina, who was staring ahead. She felt my stare and looked back down at me. I raised an eyebrow, and she shook her head. She turned and called out in a bird-like fashion. After a moment, there a return call, and she faced me and shook her head again. I nodded and refocused on Latios.

After a couple of hours, Latios had cleared a decent section of the river of rocks, revealing the silky sand below. Undeterred, he moved onto another section and continued the work. Now he was dealing with bigger rocks, and the strain was beginning to show on him. Nevertheless, he didn't stop except to wash his body off with the cold water flowing around him. I had to admit, once he became dedicated to something, he didn't let anything stand in his way. There were even times when he had to roll a rock out of the way, because he couldn't lift it.

For another few hours, things proceeded like this, Latios absorbed into the work, me frequently checking Giratina for updates, without desirable results. I was growing frustrated, but I was suddenly taken by surprise when Mespirit spoke from behind me.

"Latias is getting impatient." I jumped, my heart in my throat. I whirled and hissed

"Gyeez, don't scare me like that! Now what's the problem?" Mespirit rolled her eyes and repeated

"Latias is getting impatient. She's tired of watching Latios, considering she hates him right now." My gaze darkened and I told her

"Tell her to suck it up. She's already damaged Latios, and if she refuses to even see this through, then the damage might become irreparable. I'm not about to let that happen, even though I'm impatient, too. Believe me, I'd like nothing more than to give this up, but Latios needs our help right now, along with Latias." Mespirit went back to relay the message, and I saw Latias was throwing a brief fit, until Giratina suddenly called out in a bird-like tone.

I looked up at her, eyebrows raised in question. She nodded this time, and I could feel my excitement build back up. Finally, we could bring to justice the matter that rested on our hands. After a few minutes, I saw her, exactly as Uxie described her; platinum blonde hair, shorter than Latios by several inches, around my height, and a fairly revealing getup in the line of swimwear. Latios didn't notice her, though, so he kept working.

Things began to get tense, however, when she walked up to him and said, somewhat seductively

"Hello, again." He straightened up unnaturally fast, shooting up like an arrow. His eyes bugged out in fear, and he instinctively backed up, as if from an enemy that meant to kill him. But his voice remained strong as he shouted, almost accusingly

"You?!" The girl's grin widened and she stepped closer.

"Yeah, me. So, have you given anymore thought about you and me?" His eyes narrowed now, and he hissed

"There was never anything between us, there never will be. I thought I made that clear last time." She giggled irritatingly and stepped up again, replying

"Aww, you're just playing hard to get. I like that in a man." I decided enough was enough. Besides, I was just waiting for Latios to back up enough so I could cut off her retreat. I carefully stepped out from my hiding place, motioning at Latios to keep quiet. He didn't betray me, and I managed to slip practically under Stephanie's nose. I assumed a sturdy stance and crossed my arms. Mespirit was peeking her head at me, and I motioned to her that it was almost time. She nodded and ducked under. I turned my head back to the matter at hand.

Mespirit's POV

Latias was struggling against Azelf and me when Stephanie came into view. She practically lost it when she began to hit on Latios. It seemed her uncaring nature had disappeared, and she was prepared to confront this, in her words, bitch. Eventually my sister and I managed to get her under control, and I peeked my head over and looked at Mew. He gave me a signal, and I ducked back down, relaying this to Azelf.

We began to wait, and occasionally Latias had a spurt of energy that caused her to struggle against us, but we kept our grip on her. We decided to wait in on the conversation.

"So, when are you going to stop playing hard to get and just accept what we've got?" Latios replied hotly

"Because we have nothing! I had something with a girl, the only one who I ever let touch my lips, and you defiled that sacred relationship I treasured!" I could hear the smirk in her voice as she asked

"So you're free?" I almost swore Latios chucked a rock at her, because she distinctly shouted

"Hey!" and was followed by a dunking splash. Then Latios screamed at her

"How dare you! I had a great relationship, the only girl I have ever loved and ever will, and you ruined that because of your bratty selfishness!" Latias seemed devoid of breath for a moment, and Azelf and I briefly relaxed our grips. They returned when she shifted, but she made no move to escape. Instead she asked in wonder, as if at a distance

"So… he really was innocent?" Azelf nodded and I said

"Do you believe him now?" She hesitated, then said darkly

"Latios, yes. That bitch, however, is on my hit list. And I'm doing this personally." We tightened our grip on her as she made to stand up, and I quickly said

"You know you can't actually kill anyone, right?" She rolled her eyes irritatedly and replied

"Of course, but I plan to give her a real piece of my mind. I've two special deliveries for her;" she raised her fists and finished

"The lesson and regret." She tried to stand, but we held her down, saying

"Down, girl. You aren't going to beat anybody up, and we're going to make sure you don't." Then we picked her up as Mew entered the conversation, which was the signal for us. We dragged Latias out, making sure she couldn't completely regain her footing, which was not easy, let me tell you. The culprit spotted us and sneered

"So this is the girlfriend you spoke so highly of? She don't look like much." Latias struggled for several moments, then spat at her

"At least I don't have to use laundry products to have my hair color! How much bleach you go through a week, bitch!" The girl riled and began to stomp over to us, but Giratina came up and fired her ever legendary Fiery Gaze of Death, which, I'm not kidding you, caused her to stop in her tracks. I'd almost swear she wet herself. Giratina grinned and told her, in no uncertain terms

"You're not wanted here. You've caused us more trouble than we need on our vacation." She looked around her and asked smugly

"If I'm not wanted, then why am I surrounded?" Giratina rolled her eyes and responded

"You ditz, we only wanted a confession out of you. Once we got that, you're outta here, or I'll make it that way. Now, what'd you do?" Stephanie narrowed her eyes in obvious hate, then turned her icy glare to Latias, who was unaffected, and spat

"I kissed your loser of a boyfriend. I thought he was cool and just playing me hard. But now I see he's actually weak, and you reflect that." Latias uttered a cat-like growl, then broke free of me and Azelf. Before we could grab her again, she picked up a fist-sized rock and began to hurl it at her, but Azelf and I grabbed her again, throwing her aim off. It just whizzed by the bright blonde's head, and she flinched, cursing. Azelf and I held her tightly this time, and Giratina said darkly

"I think now would be the time for you to scram. Don't let us catch you around Latios again; you won't get off so easy." She threw a scathing look at Latios and spat in Latias' direction. Then she stormed off in the direction she came from, wherever that led. After a couple minutes, I asked

"Is it clear?" Giratina set about climbing the boulder again, which took the better part of five minutes, and when she made it to the top she searched around. Then she gave us the all-clear and set about calling the others back. While she did that, Azelf and I finally and wearily released our grip on Latias, and she stumbled a bit before running full-on to Latios, who accepted her with open arms. They twirled on the spot before Latios' feet gave out from under him and they fell, Latias on top. After an awkward moment, Latios asked

"So, you don't hate me anymore?" Latias seemed to tear up and she burst out

"I'm so sorry, I should have listened to you! I wish I had stayed around, because I'm sure you said that to her the first time!" Latios simply nodded and asked

"Then we're good again?" Latias giggled and replied

"Yeah, we're cool now. But I really owe you, don't I?" Latios grunted and stood again, helping Latias up and telling her

"I don't want you to think that. We were both at fault here. I should have made my point stronger and sooner. You should have listened to me. We both failed to communicate here. But I would like to ask you something…" Latias hung her head in shame, sure that a damning question lay in store for her.

"Yes?" Latios smirked and drew something small out of his pocket, glinting silver in the light. He held it out to her and asked

"Will you wear this again?" Her eyes widened and she plucked the object, a small silver ring, out of his hand.

"My commitment ring! You kept it?" Latios nodded grimly and told her

"If I couldn't have you, I wanted to keep as much of you as I could." Latias teared up again, but at his sentiment. She quickly replaced the ring on her finger and wrapped her arms around his neck, telling him

"We've got some lost time to make up for." He chuckled and said

"Gladly." But before they started making out, he looked at all of us, who were at this point gathered in full, and he said

"Thank you all for your help. I wouldn't have gotten her back without you guys." Latias nodded and added

"And I wouldn't have come to my senses nearly as quickly. We really owe you guys." Giratina huffed and said

"Then do us a favor and don't let it happen again." Latias giggled and said

"We'll try." Everyone simply rolled their eyes, and it was make out time for them. Eyes rolled again, but there was a certain satisfaction. Then Giratina started waving us all down, saying

"Alright, folks, show's over! Nothin' to see here, come on, move it!" She herded us out of the area, to give them their alone time. Azelf and I waited on Uxie and Mew, and when they arrived Uxie had a smug look on his face.

"Can I make great plans or what?" We all laughed, then Azelf teased

"Perhaps, but you're going to answer for the trouble you put me through. I'm sore all over for sitting in one place, and on a big hunk of rock, no less." Uxie chuckled and drew her close, telling her in a low voice

"Well then, why don't we start?" They headed off for some alone time of their own, and Mew wrapped his arm around me, asking

"You want some alone time, too?" I giggled for a moment, then answered

"Sure." After a moment, I mused

"You know, we've come a very long way, you and I. You've gone from insidious pranks to mellow clown to gentle lover. It's amazing, really." He chuckled, then tilted my head up to meet his, saying

"I'll show you amazing."

Well, that takes care of everybody here! I hope you genuinely enjoyed the various POV we saw, and remember, I'm looking for ideas, so if you have any, please send 'em quick!