Chapter 20

Testing Barriers

Jaron sighed, tapping his writing stick on the table as he read over his ranger studies book. His eyes darted over to the clock. Five more minutes, he thought, looking back at his notes that were more like a blueprint outline of the lesson's topics than actual jotting of class notes.

His eyes trailed over to the door. I hope Ciecro's class didn't let out early. A small scowl formed. Since his test is tomorrow, he'll probably be way worse about his training than normal. I doubt I'll see him at all tomorrow too. He has to be there early and I can't be present at all at the station. He sprawled onto his desk, sighing into his arms. Though, I haven't seen much of him at all this week. I think the only real time we ever got to 'hang out' was when he let us train with him Lunday. Jaron's eyes shut. And since then it's just been the same with him. Wake up too early, do his ranger classes which aren't even in this damn building this week for Arceus knows why since I'm stuck here with this lecturer, come home, and go to bed early. Ever since he let us train with him on Lunday.

Twirling his writing stick in his hand, Jaron's eyes followed the inked end of it as he mumbled in his mind, I just hope he's still in class. This is the first time all week he's had a class in this building and may be my last real chance to just be around him before the party.

A small scowl formed as he looked at the clock again. Ugh, can't he just dismiss class already, who cares abou- His eyes went wide and his jaw fell open. What‽ How can it be five minutes past the hour? He glanced at the red Grapploct lecturer, currently going over some random rules in the Perion Region that nobody gave a shit about instead of looking at the easy-to-spot clock on the wall.

Fucking course he'd do this! Ugh, well I have to hurry so fuck the formalities. Jaron raised his hand and gave a loud cough.

"Huh?" the teacher turned around.

"It's five past four, sir," Jaron said, pointing to the clock.

The teacher's eyes followed Jaron's arm. A squishy-sounding sigh followed as the teacher shut his book with one of his free tentacles. "Alright." He faced the class, putting two of his tentacles on the desk one of which bore the green ranger band of Perion. "We'll finish this section next session."

Instantly, Jaron started putting away his stuff, while the teacher kept talking.

"Remember that your peers are taking their aptitude tests tomorrow so classes or training activities that day. Instead, I want you to read over the chapters for the next lecture on the weekend and be ready for discussion next Diald-" The teacher paused as the creaking sound of a door filled the room.

Jaron stopped midway through the crack, looking at the teacher, who was leering at him. He rolled his eyes, "Chapter 45 for Dialday. Got it." And with that, shut the door behind him. Ugh, petty.

He shook his head as he walked to the middle of the station's main lobby. His eyes glanced around at all the few mons that were either busy talking or getting their things together. At realizing Ciecro wasn't among them, a dreadful feeling befell him. Oh no! He turned to look at an upper balcony and sure enough, he could see the door where Ciecro's pre-exam class had been, open and likely empty. Arceus! Jaron slammed his foot on the ground. Of course, the stupid teacher would take too long this time of all times! He ranted on and on in his head as he shoved the front doors out of his way and stomped his way down the dirt pathway, ignoring any stares or giggles from anyone nearby.

Fuck that stupid class for making me late. Now I'm going to have to search everywhere to find hi-

"Hey! Jaron!"

"Huh?" The Croconaw turned around, eyes widening with surprise at who was walking towards him. They softened to a more neutral gaze as an Absol sat down in front of him, her white fur clean, her short claws sharp, and her face with a warm yet conniving smile. Jaron shut his eyes and turned to the side, adjusting his backpack. "Hey, Jaz…"

The Absol raised a brow and tilted her head, the tilt slightly exaggerated by the curved horn protruding from the side of her head and sharply pointing upwards. "You look like today absolutely sucks."

Jaron glared at her.

Her eyes widened and then she facepalmed. "Sorry, I didn't notice."

"You've been around that Kangascum for too long." Jaron crossed his arms, growling to himself.

"My, you're really in a bad mood." She got up and walked around him, looking down at him out of the corner of her eye. "Anything in particular, or is it just one of those 'wrong side of the bed' moments."

"I got stuck overtime in class and that made me miss Ciecro today." Jaron and Jasmine glanced back at the smaller station building they had emerged from. "And I really wanted to talk with him today." Suddenly, his eyes widened and he shot a pressing look at Jasmine. "Did you see him today?"

She raised a paw to her chin, scratching it lightly with a roll of her claws. Her thin fur line waved in the wind that blew around them. "Well…I did see him in class but didn't get the chance to talk with him. Most of the class had me busy with the pre-test stuff and a loose summary and right as class ended he was out the door before I could even blink."

"Damnit." Jaron's head fell, gently moving up a little as a little bit of hope remained as he asked," Did you at least see where he went?"

"Nope." She shook her head. "By the time I got out, he was long gone."

Jaron glared at the ground.

"Why do you want to talk with him now anyway? Can't you just do it when he's home?"

"No, because he's being paranoid about that stupid test." Jaron pulled the shoulder straps on his backpack as he walked onwards, his heavy steps matching his angry expression.

"That's fair. I'm a little worried about it myself," Jasmine said as she caught up to him, walking alongside with elegance, at least compared to Jaron's stomping.

"Wish I could tell him he's overreacting."

"Well, I doubt he'd take that well." Jasmine flicked her head and leaned her head in closer, giving the sour Jaron a friendly grin. "I know I wouldn't."

The tactic worked as Jaron cooled down a little and shifted to a more melancholy look on his face. "I know. I'm just…you know he's been…well."

"Yeah, I know." Jasmine turned her head to look at the gate to the ranger station they were nearing. "Dolly told me he was stressed about it and training an awful lot for it."

"Not just that."

"'Not just that'?" Jasmine repeated, stopping right under the archway as Jaron looked back at her.

"I think he's bothered by something and I don't know what. But I know it can't just be the test." Jaron adjusted his straps again as he looked directly up at the old wood above his head. "I can see it on his face every time." The atmosphere felt chilly as if the wind had turned its temperature down and they had just noticed it. "I feel like I've seen him like it before. Like, around the time we started living with Aunt Dresha. I'm not sure how to describe it."

"You think he's thinking about Seliph?"

"I dunno. Maybe. But the day Seliph left us was a few weeks ago and he's gotten over it by now. So why is it during this test he's all...negative and not listening to anything people say to the contrary." His head fell.

"That is odd. Maybe it's just the test mixed with those feelings?"

"Maybe. I know we eventually gave up on Seliph coming back for us and he never did anything to contact us. I don't even know if he's alive anymore." A small scowl formed as the air now felt heavy, the chilling feeling leaving Jaron as he felt heat building up inside. "I hope he's not dead…but-"

Jasmine walked over. "I get it, you miss him." A glare shot right up at Jasmine, catching her off guard.

"I do not." Jaron snarled, turning around and stepping into the dirt street. "That jerk left us all alone, ordered us not to look for him, and never once even tried to get back in touch with us. It's like he just vanished into thin air after saying, 'Don't look for me or you failed your parents'."

"I…" Jasmine clawed at the ground awkwardly as Jaron watched her.

The Croconaw felt a little bit of shame build up in him, ranting at his friend about something as off-topic as some old memory from eight years ago and personal frustrations. It compelled him to apologize. "Sorry for that."

"No, I get it. It's just a weird image, given he helped you two get to Perion only to leave you both here and never try to talk. I just…well."

Jaron shrugged. "If he does come back that's what I want to ask him. I want to know why he never tried making contact with us again." He rolled his neck. "Though…maybe it's a good thing. I like my life here and I don't want it all thrown apart."

"I can feel that."

Jaron nodded. He turned and started heading down the pathway along the brick wall of the station yard, waving and saying, "See yah later, Jasmine. Thanks for the-"

"Hey! Wait a minute!"

"Huh?" Jaron stopped as Jasmine pranced over to him, slight offense in her stare.

"You just going to leave me hanging like that? Don't we always walk together to get Vragon from the Town Hall's library?"

"Oh…uuuuhhhh" Jaron's eyes shifted to the left, staring at the brick wall for some help. Come on, think of an excuse. "I…kind of…well."

Jasmine raised a skeptical brow. "Spit it out."

The Croconaw sighed, leaned close, and whispered, "Alright, it's about the you know what."

"Huh?" Jasmine turned her head towards the sky, thinking eventually looking back at him with a sweet smile. "Uhm…hint?"

"Don't tell me you forgot about tomorrow!"

"Oh! The par-"

Immediately, Jaron shushed her. "What are you trying to do?" He growled at her, while she looked back at him with a far less serious look.

She held her head high and lamented with the least convincing frown Jaron had ever seen, "Oh no, now she'll find out now that I've said the surprise in a random street, with random people crossing, far from the lake that she lives and can only travel in."

"Okay, I get it," Jaron huffed, rolling his eyes. She giggled, causing him to look at the buildings across the street with a less prickly frown. "I guess I overreacted a little, but still." He faced her. "I want it to be a surprise and nothing to go wrong."

"Relax, I'm just teasing you," Jasmine said with a wink as she walked in front. "Besides, I've seen you draw more complicated blueprints for sandwiches than your plan for the party."

"I guess…But I'll be doing it mostly on my own since you and my brother are taking your test tomorrow and Vragon still has to work that day."

"I feel yah." Jasmine nodded, the two of them turning to look at the Town Hall, which thankfully wasn't far from the ranger station. "So, as you were saying."

"Oh right." Jaron cleared his throat as they both started down the street towards Town Hall. "So, besides the surprise party, me, Vragon, and Ciecro all saved up to get her a nice gift. It should be ready today and Vragon was going to go pick it up."

"Ah, I see." What did you guys get her?"

Jaron opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly he closed it as a sly grin formed on his face. Jasmine's expression shifted from curiosity to annoyance as Jaron crossed his arms, raised his snout just a tad, calmly shut his eyes, and said with a smart-alecky tone. "Well, what's a surprise if not to be a secret?"

Jasmine grumbled. "Are you for real? I thought you were getting it for Miss Dresha."

"Well." Jaron shrugged and chuckled faintly. "If I were to tell you, that'd risk it potentially leaking out. I have to keep my bases well covered, Jasmine, it's just the principle of being professional."

"So it's going to be like that, is it?" Jasmine huffed, stopping as they reached the large dirt ring around Town Hall.

"Relax, why not wait till you can actually see it," Jaron said with a smile, turning around so he could see her unamused face while he continued around the circle.

"Hmph." Jasmine puffed her chest and raised her snout.

It amused Jaron to see her agitated like that, so much so that he had to do his best to stifle any urges to rub it in. He was about to turn around until suddenly, a wave of dread filled his soul as he heard.

"So, you didn't want me to go with you to pick up Vragon, because the gift is at the Town Hall, right?"

Jaron glanced back. "Uh…yeah." He picked up the pace a little, Jasmine matching him as they kept crossing the circle while following its path counterclockwise, thankfully unobstructed by any traffic considering market season was still hounding the main streets with vendors and buyers.

"So that must mean you were using some local service at Town Hall to have this made. They don't exactly do mail and all."

Jaron grumbled as they rounded around, reaching the stone stairs as Jasmine kept theorizing aloud.

"It can't be a book since water and paper don't mesh well together and even if you found a way, I doubt you three would get her something so basic. You'd want to get her something you both know she'd appreciate, but probably something she could use too."

Geez, would you just wait? Jaron ranted in his head, having to force himself not to tell Jasmine that directly. Shaking it off, he started up the stairs but stopped as a cold sense of dread filled his spine at the sound of a giggle. Jaron turned around and looked at Jasmine's sly grin. If he could sweat, droplets would be falling like rain. "Jasm-"

Jasmine pointed at him with her paw. "You got her an engraving of a picture, didn't you?"

"Wh-what?" Jaron's jaw dropped.

"Well? Am I right?" Jasmine strode over, clearly already knowing the answer to the question but wanting to hear it from him anyway.

"N-n-no." A flustered Jaron turned around, pulling up his straps, and briskly started up the stone steps. He cringed and felt his face flush red at Jasmine's soft and arrogant giggle.

"Ah, so I am right."

You'll be right in the way of my fist if you don't shuddup, Jaron threatened in his mind. A heavy sigh followed as Jaron finally caved in, turned around, and nodded with a scowl. "Alright, miss know it all. Happy you spoiled the surprise for yourself?"

"Yes, I'm quite happy I was very good at deducing through my witty reasoning." Jasmine joined him on the step and sat down, rubbing a claw over her mouth as if she was stifling some laughter. "But I must admit something."

Jaron raised a brow as Jasmine turned her paw upside down, scratching her chin as her eyes glanced upwards. "I have little idea what the picture actually is."

"I think you've been guessing enough." Jaron started up the steps, Jasmine closely following.

"Suppose you're right." Jasmine shrugged, her carefree tone irritating Jaron.

He lightly jiggled his as his eyes rolled in their sockets. 'I'm Jasmine and I'm going to tell you about what gift you got as a surprise out loud for anyone to hear. Look at how awesome, smart, and cool I am.' Geez, sometimes I hate her, especially when she rubs it in when she's being 'inquisitive'.

"Is it one of you three and her or of that picture on your mantle in your ro-?"

"Jasmine!" Jaron exclaimed angrily as he shunted the doors open and stomped in, paying no mind to anyone in the library's reaction. "Can you wait five fucking minutes?"

Jasmine zipped her lip, mainly because everyone's eyes were now on the angry Croconaw and her, and they were hardly welcoming. Vragon was also looking at them, his expression not hostile but surprised and embarrassed.

"Ahehehehe…well just make sure it's back in two weeks." Vragon handed a book to a Jynx that was eyeing Jaron with a cold stare.

"Thanks," She said, as she walked away from the counter, shaking her head and taking a quick glance at Jaron as they passed one another. "Just like his brother."

Immediately, Jaron turned around and opened his mouth, but paused as he felt a touch on his shoulder. He turned to see Jasmine, shaking her head at him. The Croconaw let it out in one big exhale and turned around, Vragon greeting him with an encouraging smile.

"Hey, Vray." Jaron bent his arm over the counter and leaned in. "You almost done so we can pick up the package?"

"Just about." Vragon nodded as he disappeared under the counter. "She was the last one. Just gotta make sure everything is in order for my replacement."

Jaron turned his head, glaring at the Jynx exiting the library. Jynx will never stop being ugly to me. He rolled his eyes.

"I thought you were going to let it go."

"What, so I can't be obvious I don't like hearing what she said?" Jaron said, pulling back as Jasmine leaned in.

"More like, we're on the verge of a shushing wave gone tidal if you don't keep your voice down," she whispered. The two didn't bother to look at all the stares and instead just turned around to Vragon.

"Hey, if you want, why don't you two go ahead an-?" Vragon paused, looking at Jasmine with a wide-eyed look.

Jaron sighed heavily. "It's fine. Miss stupid here knows."

Jasmine did a fake gasp, placing a paw on her chest. "My word."

"Your word is 'Quiet' right? You already told me it," Jaron sneered as he turned around. "Sure, I'll go ahead and pick it up," he mumbled as he went for the stairs.

"Okay, cool," Vragon said, his tone dropping a little mid-enunciation.

Jaron didn't bother waving or even turning his head. He could just feel all their stares at him. He had years to just get used to the normal ones due to him and Ciecro being foreign and their crests a dead giveaway to that, but these hostile ones he never thought he'd get used to. Ciecro's not some punk. Clyde got what he deserved and Ciecro doesn't deserve to be looked that way. Fine way to treat someone that's going to become a ranger and protect your snobby little a-

"I'm sorry, Jaron."

He ceased his ranting, glancing back at Jasmine, right as he put his claw on the stair's railing. "Oh, don't mention it," he said, starting up the steps. His steps felt heavy as his head sagged slightly, thinking about his brother.

"I didn't mean to upset you back there."

"It wasn't you. Just that stupid Jynx and everyone else."

"Yeah…look, give it some time. People will stop caring about it in a year I imagine and it's only been three months."

"I know shouldn't take it out on everyone and behave." Jaron's scowl shifted to a bothered frown.

"It was sort of my fault. I kept instigating you."

"Yeah…" Jaron pulled his straps, keeping his claw there this time. "I don't know how Ciecro stands it."

"Hrm?" Jasmine leaned in a little as Jaron looked back and continued.

"Ever since he did that, he's gotten probably three times the stares I've gotten. I bet people even gossip about him, but he takes it fine. Or well…pretends to."

"'Pretends'?" Jasmine tilted her head. "I mean, I bet it does bother him, but he seems to be good at handling stuff like that."

"Too good." Jaron's scowl returned as they reached the top floor and started heading past the row of shelves and study tables. "He never really talks to me about anything and it's ticking me off."

Jasmine raised a brow. "Ciecro making you that upset?"

"Why shouldn't I be?" Jaron retorted, making Jasmine flinch back. While she immediately looked around at anyone about to shush them, Jaron flung his head forwards uncaring about whose reading time he bothered. "We're brothers and there's something bothering him. He won't tell me a thing and is being his stupid, quiet self. I hate when he keeps secrets from me over some stupid ass reason he never talks about. It's just obvious excuse-making and this test is no exception." Jaron's eyes lowered. "He used to tell me everything especially when we were still new here. He…he needed me."

"Hey now, he still does." Jasmine moved to Jaron's side, giving him a little assuring bump with her shoulder as their eyes met. "Maybe, whatever the reason, it's tough for him to talk about."

"I hope…." Jaron's gaze moved to the floor again as it changed from brown wood to white wood as they entered the center of the Town Hall. The two stopped and looked up at the statue of Humphry's ancestor. "I just hope he can trust me sometime about it. I want to help him and if it's about three months ago, or Seliph, or whatever it is…I want to be there for him."

Jasmine nodded. "Well, I'm sure he knows that. I know for a fact he cares and trusts you."

"I know…" Jaron did a deep sigh as his eyes trailed past the statue to the blue sky through the windows. "I just…want to be sure."

"Huh?"

Jaron blinked, surprised at himself almost as equally as Jasmine. What? I am sure. He shook his head. "Dang, what am I even talking about, heh." He did his signature grin as he chuckled at himself.

"O…kay?"

"Nevermind me." Jaron smiled at her as he turned towards the archway where the engraver's office was housed. "I'm just saying things without thinking."

"I suppose so."

The time to the door to the engravers felt long and heavy for Jaron. What was he thinking in thinking something like that? Guess it's just getting to me. Jaron shook his head as he found the door right in front of him and proceeded to knock. His mind shifted from mopiness to anxiety as he started asking less bothersome and more rapid-fire questions to himself about what the metal picture would look like.

Eventually, the door opened, and the Arbok stuck his head from behind the door. "Yes? Oh! Hello there, Jaron was it?"

"Yep." The Croconaw nodded and set his claws on the nob, though pushed a little instead of pulled due to his excitement. "I'm here to pick up my order."

"Oh? Right, let me see. It was under the name, 'Almkin' right?"

"Uh-huh."

Jaron and Jasmine shared a delighted look until their faces shifted to shock at hearing the Arbok say, "Oh, I already gave it to-"

"What‽" Jaron's snapped his gaze back to the Arbok, eyes scowling with fierce rage as he stepped back and ripped the door open, startling the Arbok and Jasmine. "You gave it away‽"

"No! No, let me explain. You see-"

"I'm here."

Jasmine and Jaron turned to see a huffing Vragon jog over to them, resting his claws on his legs as he said, "Sorry for the wait, next employee was a little late. Did you get it?"

"No," Jasmine said with a blunt tone.

"No?" Vragon raised a brow and looked at Jaron for an explanation.

The Irritated Croconaw gestured a finger at the Arbok, grumbling, "This guy gave it to somebody else."

The Arbok gasped and defended with, "Now hold on a minute, I can expla-"

"You gave our gift to someone else‽" Vragon shouted in disbelief, his face shifting to red-hot anger, just like Jaron's.

"If I may have a word in this conver-" He wasn't given a chance to so much as finish that sentence before Vragon was directly in front of him, staring at him like a furious mother at some stranger messing with child.

"Who the hell did you give it to? Do you just let anybody waltz up and claim an order under the pretense of a last name without so much as verify-"

"Will you shut up for one second so I can explain!" The Arbok roared, causing Vragon and Jaron to back off, albeit keeping their judgmental expressions.

Jasmine just stayed in the back, too busy processing all this to look away but too concerned about being on the receiving end of the boys' anger to try and mediate the situation. All three focused on the Arbok as the Poison Type cleared his throat.

"What I was trying to say is I gave the order to your brother. 'Ciecro Almkin'."

"Huh?" Jaron looked both ways almost as if Ciecro was around before saying, "Wait, Ciecro was here? When?"

"Almost seven minutes before you got here. I'm terribly sorry, but he told me he was a part of the order so I felt comfortable giving it to your fam-"

"No, no, it's fine." Jaron sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry for that freakout. Did you see where he last went?"

"I believe he went for the front entrance to Town Hall."

"Makes sense," Jasmine added, walking next to the wide open door and sitting down. "It's the closest on the route back. Would explain why we missed him on the way in."

Jaron slammed a fist into his palm. "It's still market season so he must be taking the alleyways. That'll slow him down a bit. If we hurry, we can catch him!" Instantly Jaron started rushing off to the three's surprise but stopped to hastily say, "Thank you, sir!" and resume his mad dash.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Vragon exclaimed rushing after Jaron while Jasmine bid the poor Arbok a nod.

"You get used to it." Before the Arbok could reply, she bolted after the two, leaving the mon to just shake his head.

"I sometimes wonder if it's because their youths or clans mons that makes them so rambunctious. At least they have manners." A little grin formed at another successful, satisfied customer.

O

Ciecro maneuvered through the alleyways, one turn after another almost like a mini-labyrinth. He rubbed the back of his neck as he felt his backpack sag on his shoulders, directing his thoughts to the contents inside.

I hope Jaron doesn' mind me showin' Dolly it. I'm sure she'd love tah see it. A smile formed on his face as he pictured her reaction, maybe a pun threw in there or two. It made him chuckle softly.

Suddenly, his instincts kicked into gear as he heard footsteps. He stopped, eyes narrowing and his nerves tingling as he eyed the corner he was nearing for the alleyway.

"Tck, still got it, huh?"

Ciecro's eyes opened wide as his lungs froze up. "Cl-Clyde…"

A mon stepped from around the corner, a Monferno. His strong arms were crossed, his tail flame was cackling steadily, and his eyes were glued to Ciecro's with burning yet stoic anger. The Monferno's face bore a large white 'X' across, intersecting over his nose where he seemed to have had some kind of injury.

If Ciecro wasn't tense enough, he now was as he attempted to get an eye on his surroundings without taking his eyes off of Clyde in case the swift Monferno tried something.

"Funny running into you here, you sick fuck."

Ciecro started to back away until suddenly he almost could feel someone touching him. He spun around and sure enough, there was a Bellibolt behind him.

Hopping back, Ciecro suddenly felt himself lifted in the air, his body having a pink hue of dim light around it. "Bwa!" He flailed about.

"Restrict him."

He felt some invisible force pull his arms out wide. "Hey! Stop!" He shouted as the Bellibolt henchman chuckled, taking off the backpack and handing it to Clyde.

"Drop him."

Ciecro hit the ground on his back as the force vanished. He rolled onto his stomach and glared at Clyde, who stood in front of the Bellibolt and a Braixen, both of which were smirking down at him.

"Give it back!" Ciecro shouted, getting to his feet.

"Make us."

"Shove it." The Monferno said to the Bellibolt, handing the backpack to the Braixen as Clyde walked forwards.

Ciecro's body felt tense, especially since he knew where this was going. He watched Clyde crack his knuckles as he felt the urge to go ahead and start, but his mind pushed it down knowing he couldn't get into a fight now of all times.

"Now…I want us to truly settle this."

Snarling, Ciecro let his arms lower a little. "Clyde, we aren' supposed tah figh'."

"I don't care what those favoritism grownups think, especially when they let you almost kill me over a sob story." Clyde raised his fist. "It's very simple. Fight me and you get your backpack back. Nothing more to it, punk."

Ciecro's jaw shut as he looked at his bag, the precious gift he, Jaron, and Vragon had worked hard to get. "Yah'd say dat abou' dah commissioneh too?"

Clyde tensed up. "Don't try and talk your way out of it, you freak."

The anxiousness built in him as his adrenaline urged him to stop trying to hold back and teach this punk a lesson. To put him in his place. Ciecro, shook his head. "No, I'm not gonna figh' yah."

The Monferno pointed at him, getting impatient. "You owe me you feral! You almost broke my head in over some dumb words and everyone treats you like you're special because of that fucking mark on your shoulder."

Ciecro glanced at his right shoulder for a second, seeing the top part of the black birthmark over his scales. "Yeh, an' oters don' trust me because of-"

"No!"

Ciecro's eyes opened as Clyde stepped towards him, pressing a finger to his chest.

"They fucking don't trust you because you almost killed me in some feral-like rage."

"I don' wan' trouble."

"Then you should have thought of that before you attacked me. Though I didn't expect you to be able to think when someone so much as insults your or your heritage. Is that how you Norfarions are? So honor bound to your fucking legacy that you think you're better than everyone else?"

"No, dats-"

"It's exactly it!" Clyde shouted, stepping towards Ciecro, causing the Charmeleon to match it with a step back to avoid an engagement. "You think that because you two live with some old fish and your real parents are gone that you can just flaunt around, and act all tough and disrespectful?"

"No, of course not!"

"Yeah, well your words mean shit. Simple fact is, whatever those Norfarions do to get punks like you in line sure as hell ain't gonna get done to you."

"Whadda yah know!" Ciecro shouted back, finally stopping his backwards stepping as Clyde stopped in response. "Yah've always talked shit tah me an' I am sorry I beat yah face up! I truly am. I don' wanna figh' yah an' we aren' supposed tah so why can'tcha jus' leave me alone‽ Rangehs don' go afteh each ot-"

"Because you're a dangerous person and the fact nobody else can see it, really tells how lazy the folks here are." Clyde clenched his fists and raised them. "And don't you fucking dare bring up that 'rangers' shit. Rangers don't attack people because their feelings got hurt, let alone almost kill somebody!"

Ciecro flinched as his scowl started wavering.

"You want to do the right thing?" Clyde stepped forwards again, Ciecro stepped back but gasped as his back touched the wall of the alley. "Then freaking don't even think about becoming a ranger."

Ciecro snarled at hearing that but made no reply outside of an angry stare that looked like it had a shaky base.

"Because Rangers protect others and as far as I can tell you have to worry about protecting from yourself. So, I'm gonna protect others from you."

"I'm not gonna hur' anybody!" Ciecro felt what seemed like something pierce his chest at the thought of the words. Death Wrath. His body felt shaky at the thought as he shook his head. No, I won'. I…I'll control myself. I'll be disciplined like Dad. I'll-

"You already did." Clyde pointed at his face. "You did this! You're lucky it was me you did it to and not someone more innocent."

Ciecro's focused glare faltered as he looked to the side, arms shaking, and fists clenched in a mix of rage and doubt.

"Now…since everyone else went so easy on you, I suppose I'll have to teach you, your lesson. You can't just do what you did and get away with it. That's injus-"

"And what are you doing right now?"

Ciecro held his breath, his wavery eyes shooting wide as he looked past Clyde, who also turned around. "Jaz…"

Jasmine was walking down the alleyway towards them, Vragon and Jaron having currently some staring standoff with the other two, albeit neither party engaging.

"Looks to me like you're more doing some kind of vigilante sense of revenge rather than justice."

Clyde sneered. "Oh boy, here to defend the rotten freak too? How would you like it if he got free after almost killing you?"

"He didn't 'get off free' and you know that." Jasmine stepped around Clyde, moving in front of Ciecro and leering at Clyde with a face almost as strong as Clyde's anger. "And despite that, it's not your choice. The simple fact is, Ciecro isn't an adult yet and thus was given some slack, albeit with added scrutiny."

"Tck, as if some dumb session to talk about his feelings are-"

"You know it's more than that." Jasmine pushed her paw down. "Do I have to tell you again that Ciecro walks a thin line? You think if he starts another fight with you he won't get expelled and barred from being a Ranger?"

Ciecro felt his heart freeze up at hearing that. His head fell. Yeh… he remembered that conversation he had with Humphry and while it was private it was obvious to everyone that was an additional stipulation.

"Now look at you. You're going to jeopardize your own ranger running for some grudge about getting beat up three months ago? Your family didn't have to pay for your recovery nor will Ciecro be sided with if he starts a fight with you." Jasmine pressed her paw forwards and leaned in, looking directly into Clyde's eyes with their gazes a mere foot apart. "You're better than this, Clyde, so act like it."

Clyde's angry stare turned towards the wall, his arms crossed as he thought over her words. "Tck, he's lucky you sympathize with him."

"Only for the right amount. I never said him beating you up was right. That's something Ciecro will have to deal with…just like you would have to deal with the consequences if you forced him to fight you. Now grow up, Clyde."

The Monferno sneered at that, but after a minute of the silent standoff, shook his head and turned around. He made for the other pathway on the alleyway, his hooligans watching him with shocked faces. As they turned to go, Clyde snarled, "Leave it." And walked on.

The two goons looked at one another before the Bellibolt set the backpack down and hurried on after their leader with the Braixen.

Ciecro rubbed his arm, relief overflowing him despite the lingering hurtful words of Clyde still in his mind. He held his head up and looked at Jasmine. "Thanks."

"No problem." Jasmine turned around, smiling at him almost as warm and kind seeming as Dolly. "I- Oof!"

Startled, Ciecro was Jasmine get shoved out of the way and suddenly felt his body being squeezed.

"Ciecro!" Jaron exclaimed, looking up at his brother with eyes full of worry. "Are you alright? He didn't attack you, did he? If he did I swear I'll-"

"Easy, Jaron." Ciecro smiled, putting a claw on Jaron's shoulder, causing the Croconaw to let go of his squished frame. "I'm fine."

"I'm not."

Ciecro looked to see Jasmine brushing some of the dirt off her mane, a little smile forming at the humorous way Jasmine looked when upset.

"Could've warned me, you blue idiot, before you stampede me into the wall."

"Sorry, Jasmine." Jaron's head fell, full of remorse.

Her grumpiness picked up to a soft smile. "It's done and dusted." She paused and facepalmed. "Not again."

"Oh! Dusted! Like dah ground." Ciecro chuckled. "I ge'it. Good one, Jaz."

She groaned into her paw as she dragged it down her face. "Can you guys just show it to me already so I don't continue getting hurt?"

"Huh?"

"The gift, you big red dork."

"Oh!" Ciecro was about to go back down the alleyway for the backpack, but stopped at seeing Vragon walking down carrying it in his claws.

"I've gotcha covered Jasmine."

Vragon set the backpack down as all four gathered around it. The Fraxure undid the flaps and after a little bit of searching pulled out something wrapped in a nice clean cloth. As Vragon undid the cloth protector, pieces of a golden metal revealed themselves, occasionally glistening when light managed to strike its surface.

Jasmine looked in awe as Vragon set the finished piece on top of the backpack for them all to gawk at. It depicted the Lanturn they all knew swimming with a Walrein, joy on their faces that looked so real. Their expressions matched the photograph, although the improved coloring and sharper contrast of the background gold color to the paper's tan made the image almost more alive.

Ciecro could stare at it for eternity, at least until his gaze was sapped by Jasmine whistling. "That's a step up in a birthday gift, I have to say. She'll love it."

"Well."

Everyone looked at Vragon, who had his claws on his side and puffed out his armored chest with an eye-shut grin. Ciecro almost chuckled at seeing Jasmine instantly regret making that compliment with her half-shut stare as the Fraxure elaborated, "We wanted to get her something she would no doubt be able to use for good but also something close to her heart, so what better than a version of her favorite picture she can keep with her underwater?" Vragon curled his claw under his chin and looked up. "It was-"

"Was using your brains," Jasmine smirked, causing Vragon to leer at her. She chuckled at how upset he was at her ruining his bragging moment.

Ciecro almost chuckled too, however, his attention was grabbed when Jaron said his name.

"Hrm?" He looked at the Croconaw.

"Why did you pick up the gift?"

"Oh well…I was gonna show Dolly." He looked down at the metallic image, slowly reaching down and picking it up into his claws. He stared at their smiling expressions, his eyes narrowing slowly as the image seemed to fluctuate between the two swimming in the water and what he would envision was a picture of his family.

'It's very simple. Fight me and you get your backpack back. Nothing more to it, punk.' Clyde's voice rang in his head as his grip on the metal picture grew tighter. His eyes shut as he took his right hand off of it and used his left to offer the picture to Jaron.

"Huh?"

He heard Jaron say, but his eyes were fixated forwards, past the gap between Jasmine and Vragon, focused on the wall where he had run into Clyde the first time. "Yah take it."

"Me?"

Ciecro, let the picture fall into Jaron's hands, the Croconaw getting a good grip despite the abruptness and his confusion. The Charmeleon knelt down and closed up his backpack.

"Wait, what about you? Don't you want to show it to Dolly too?"

'You think if he starts another fight with you he won't get expelled and barred from being a Ranger?'

He stood up, put the backpack on, and without looking at any of them said, "I need tah prepare fo' dah aptitude test."

Jaron's just froze, mouth agape and eyes wide.

"Are you sur-?" Jasmine started, but Ciecro cut her off.

"Yeh…I'm sure. Thanks fo' dah help." He had just taken his first step when he stopped, shutting his eyes hard at hearing Jaron's voice, a mixture of anger and hurt in it.

"Ciecro, stop."

The Charmeleon straightened his back but didn't dare turn around. He simply shifted his head a little, saying. "Yeh?"

"Why can't you come with us? You've trained and trained that's all you do anymore. What's going on?"

Ciecro felt his chest grow heavy, his muscles tensing at Jaron's attitude, wanting to combat the defiance of his younger brother. He tempered those feelings with a calming breath as he simply said. "Dah test is tomorrow."

"You're not stupid, Ciecro! Stop lying to me!"

That was it, Ciecro turned around, his scowl meeting Jaron's. The fierceness in their eyes burned bright in their irises, be it because of their anger or their Norfarion heritage.

"I ain' lyin' to yah."

"Yes, you are!" Jaron shouted, sniffling.

"Jaron-"

"Stay out of this, Jasmine!" Jaron snapped, glaring back at Jasmine, who instantly backed away.

"Dats enough, Jaron." Ciecro said with an authoritative voice. Jaron turned back to him, their eyes once more resuming a staring duel of brute force.

"You keep blowing me off every time. I haven't been able to do anything or just be with you since last week. I'm sick of it, why are you avoiding me?"

Ciecro's eyes narrowed. "I have dah test tah work on."

"But-"

"Enough buts." Ciecro let a small snarl escape his maw, causing Jaron to tense up. "Yah're notta baby, Jaron. I get I've not been able tah be wit' yah, bu' yah know damn well why. Dat test is very important tah me."

"I just…I wanna help you." Jaron's gaze was shifting to desperation. "We're a team. I've got your back and you've got mine."

Ciecro remained silent, staring into the begging gaze of his younger brother as his mind focused on one point. I can' stop till I'm strongeh…disciplined…an' able tah be dat on my own. Ciecro closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Jaron, I…I don' wanna talk abou' it." He tensed up at Jaron raising his voice again.

"You never want to talk about it!"

"Guys," Vragon interjected, but by this point, any mediation couldn't avert Ciecro finally setting the foot down.

"Den stop pesterin' me abou' it an' accept dat." Ciecro glared at his brother, who instantly flinched at Ciecro taking the offensive. "I need tah be responsible an' pass dat test, an' I need tah do it on my own. If yah wanna help, den can it when I ask yah tah 'can it'."

Jaron's head fell, his shocked face shifting to hurt and angry.

"Ciecro…"

He looked up at Jasmine, who was also unhappy at his outburst, and to be honest, he was too. He felt the guilt swelling up inside as he reached for the straps on his shoulders. "Look, Jaron, I'm glad yah car-"

Jaron just turned around, stomping away without a word.

"Jar-…" Ciecro's voice trailed off as he watched his brother march down the alleyway, not bothering to look back. Vragon was hot on Jaron's tail and Jasmine started walking too.

She took one glance back at Ciecro. Her gaze wasn't judgmental, but worried. Worried about him and Jaron, while also giving a message for him to apologize to his brother without words.

Ciecro turned and looked down the other alleyway as he was left all alone. His head fell. I wish…Jaron… His first step felt weighted as he looked up at the sky. I'll pass dat test…den, I'll make up wit' Jaron.

He looked at his right claw, opening up for his gaze as it wavered, sharing his uncertainty. He clenched it, almost as if he was silencing its worries and assuring it everything would be okay, even if he had to work hard to make it that way.