Sometimes he thought he didn't deserve the title.
Yes, Riki was a heropon in the eyes of his littlepon (not so much his wifeypon). He had eleven of them - no small feat for any race, let alone the Nopon - and was proud to announce that his biggypon had grown up to raise fine families of their own.
Aside from domestic matters, he'd been indispensable in disposing of the primary Telethia (although he wasn't sure exactly why Reyn had been chuckling behind Dundun as they had assured Riki of his 'invaluable cooperation'). Bird Lady had been immensely grateful for his gracious aid. He'd accepted his duty - despite Chief Dunga's quack prophecy! - to venture beyond the comfortable romp of his home to take up arms against the Mechon, only to find the millennial machinations of foes he'd never dreamed of. He'd taken upon himself the responsibility of being the dadapon of their ragtag group. Some of his comrades looked surprised whenever he said something 'remotely like a dadapon'. That was silly, though, because of course a dadapon sounds like one!
Yet it was not enough.
Oft he thought of Nene back home, afraid of heights. One day, he wished to return to her, to teach her again the thrill of rising ever higher, to perceive the majesty of the Bionis. He imagined her absorbing a world of white from atop Befalgar Pedestal, the wonder in her eyes as she stood amongst Crown Tree's canopy, witnessing ether dancing upon the midnight marsh. But, for now, he needed to be Riki the Heropon, saviour of Bionis' people.
His mind drifted frequently to his wifeypon. Fierce, passionate Oka. How could he not think of the love of his life? She who always stood tall beside him: his steadfast support no matter the circumstance. He knew Shulk and the others had been concerned about her threats of divorce but, in true Oka fashion, it was to encourage him along his chosen path.
(Sharla still seemed uncertain when he explained that, but that's only because she didn't know his wifeypon well.)
Once he found Shulk watching the sunset with thoughts of a dadapon and mamapon never known, of a life he had no remembrance of. Dundun joined him, sharing memories of the past, of brotherpons who were not brotherpons; but he treasured them nonetheless, for he could do nothing else. Reyn stood afar off, eyes fixed on Sharla - the girl was oblivious to him, lost in what could have been. He saw Melly sitting by the dying embers of the fire, sorrow in her gaze, and all he could do for her was allow her to cuddle him. He discovered Fiora hidden away behind the Junks, doing her best to disguise her pain, her distress in knowing that body of steel would not grow old, and told her that no-pon thought she was disfigured; everypon drew strength from her weakness and fortitude from her smile, Shulk most of all. The crinkles under her eyes told of a comforted daughterpon who had yet to know her value.
Sometimes he wished to be not Riki the Heropon, but simply Riki the Friendpon. Perhaps if that were so, his companions would see the joy before them.
A/N: I'm simply cross-posting my collection from last year. Feel free to leave constructive criticism! I don't bite. This extends to everything I write.