Chapter 8: Happy Ending? You Decide...
"So, you've come to see me off," said the Grovyle dryly.
"You don't have to go, no one is making you leave,"
"I wouldn't be able to stay here if I tried, my father's deeds will see to that."
"What deeds?"
"So you haven't heard? I'll be the one to tell you, then; my father had a plan, a dark plan. He wanted to rule not just the clan, but also the entire island. He was close to achieving his goal, but only you stood in his way, even the many weeks ago before you left. That bastard knew that you were the true Alpha, and the clan would hold your judgment above his in their minds, so he wanted to get rid of his opposition..."
"The river! But how did you know?"
"He thought I was too brainless to do anything, so naturally he was very open about discussing his plans. In a way, he was right; I was too hungry for power to follow my better judgment.
When you were chased off, he pushed his plan into motion. He handpicked a few young Grovyle to train, and the rest were made to do menial tasks and practically brainwashed. I almost think he trained me only because it would look suspicious if he did not, for I was not what most would call a fighter. I became one, though, in time..."
"You certainly did, my friend,"
"Thank you for mentioning me as a friend, but in truth I'm no better than a traitor. My father was mobilizing to take over a nearby clan when word came that you had returned; we would have succeeded too, if you had not defeated us. I fled with what remained of the force, calling for a trap to be set, but I did not realize your skill. I was foolish, and though I was not fully responsible for my father's ways, I also hold some blame. I will leave, and make a life elsewhere where no one knows what I have done..."
"I can't stop you if you think you must leave, but I beg you to reconsider. It's not your fault,"
"I'm sorry, I have made my decision..."
"Slice, exactly how far is it to your home boundaries?" asked Aquamarine tiredly.
"A few weeks ago you wouldn't be complaining about a small distance like this," joked the Sizor, "Besides, isn't it a relief to finally get away from all that commotion? I really don't know how you can put up with it."
"I don't know either, old friend,"
"Well, at least we know that while Dark's in charge of the clan, nothing serious is going to happen,"
Aquamarine laughed softly, her tired feet dragging slightly in the spongy grass. She topped the rise, looking out over the expanse of pampas that was the habitat of the Scythers. Far into the distance, several darker specks gave away the position of Slice's home clan.
The two friends loped the distance easily, though the Scyther saw them long before they reached the clan. Two strong looking bug Pokemon barred their way, glaring at Aquamarine.
"What do you do here, and why do you walk with a Grovyle?" one asked of Slice.
"I wish to speak with your leader, my business is my own," answered Slice, sounding irritated.
One of the Scyther nodded and bounded away in a flash of green, leaving the other to watch the intruders. The three stood in silence, waiting for the Alpha's answer. Soon, the messenger had reappeared.
"He's on his way, but I assure you, he's not happy," growled the Scyther.
A tall, red form blurred through the tall grass, surprising all four of the waiting Pokemon. The blur suddenly stopped, revealing itself as a tall, well-built Sizor.
"What do you want?" he asked crossly.
Slice looked terrified for a moment, and Aquamarine could see why. If this Sizor was in charge, that meant that Blade was gone, and her friend had no chance of rejoining her clan. After the initial shock, Slice quickly regained her composure enough to ask a question.
"Do you know of a Scyther that used to be Alpha here? His name was Blade,"
The Sizor's eyes widened, and he looked at Slice carefully. She remained still as a stone under his gaze; soon, he shrugged and sighed.
"I'm Blade; do you have any particular business here?"
Slice flinched, causing the Sizor to look at her with worry. She finally found her voice.
"Blade? Don't you remember me? I'm Slice!"
Blade jerked with surprise, and suddenly his legs gave out. He collapsed on the ground with a stunned expression. He looked up at Slice as she helped him rise from the earth, eyes close to tears.
"Is it really you?" he whispered, all the others around him lost from his mind as he gazed at his childhood friend.
"Yes, Blade. I've come back,"
The Sizor broke down with a look of relief, sobbing joyfully.
"I never should have let you go; I've done nothing but pine for you ever since you were exiled. I never thought I'd see you again..."
"I'm here now..." whispered Slice.
"I have to ask you something," he said hesitantly.
"What?" asked Slice, perturbed.
"Will you come back to the clan and lead with me?" Blade blurted. He gazed hopefully at Slice, awaiting her answer.
"It's what I was planning all along, my love," said Slice softly.
The two Sizor gently touched foreheads, confirming their bond. Aquamarine smiled at the reunion, and turned quietly to leave while she would not be noticed.
"Wait, my friend," called Slice.
"Yes?" asked Aquamarine, turning back to face the small group.
"I want to thank you, for everything,"
"I didn't do anything-" began Aquamarine.
"But you did. You became my friend, and without that I would have never found the courage to admit that I wanted to go back to my home, or even face my defeat."
Aquamarine nodded, conceding to the Sizor's line of reasoning, and was suddenly engulfed in a white radiance. She flinched at the sudden stretching feeling as she evolved. Her tails melded into one and giant fan-like leaves sprouted from its sides. Twin crests rose from her skull, seeds sprouted from her back, and her legs and neck lengthened as her height rose.
The white glow faded into a dim sparkle, embedding itself into her sky blue hide and red seeds. She looked at her friends, surprised and pleased by the sudden change.
"Good luck, Aquamarine. May you always be happy wherever you venture," called Slice as the shining Sceptile turned and ran in joy through the plains; traveling back to her clan and the home she knew would welcome her.
Aquamarine leapt through the trees with an energy she had never known before, rejoicing in her new abilities. She could now climb to the very tops of the giant plants, whilst she could not when she was a Grovyle. She took the most of the chance to practice her agility and power.
Soon, she came to the site of the great battle that had gained her victory over Image, now only another small clearing in a large forest. She mused over the memories, most of which were already beginning to fade from her mind. The shining Sceptile shrugged wearily and continued on to the great tree, eager to return to her true home.
There was a huge commotion when she arrived, with many young members of the clan crowding around her and asking questions about her adventure. She laughed and told the excited Pokemon what had happened, quenching their insatiable curiosity while trying to gain some room to breath.
Suddenly, another Sceptile emerged from the tree, trotting towards the small group. Aquamarine wondered who it could be as she waited for him to approach. He stopped not far from the gathering, smiling in a strange way.
"Welcome back, Aquamarine," he said, winking.
"Dark?" exclaimed the shining Sceptile, "But how did- Why-"
"I fought some nasty little Nuzleaf while you were gone; the entire troupe wanted to move in on our territory. We stopped them cold, right everybody?"
A cheer went up from the gathering, many raising their leaves and snarling gently as they excitedly remembered the battle. Aquamarine grinned and turned to her friend.
"You'll have to tell me about it... once these parasites let me go, that is," she chuckled, looking pointedly at the closest Grovyles.
The group of young Pokemon giggled and ran back to the tree to spread the news of the Alpha's adventures. Aquamarine sighed in relief and turned to Dark, who shrugged.
"Well, what do you have to tell me?" asked Aquamarine.
"Nothing much. The Nuzleaf battle was the most exciting thing to happen while you was gone. Oh, Powder and Gem have decided to stay here and train as healers, since we have none. What happened with you?"
"The journey went as planned and Slice was warmly welcomed back to her clan. Oh, and I evolved, if you couldn't see that already,"
Dark nodded, and they both laughed softly. Aquamarine looked around, and suddenly remembered something.
"Where did Mistress go? She's usually around you, you know..."
"Oh, she went back to Mt. Pyre, so she could help her people. She was pretty happy here, but she had responsibilities back at her homeland..."
"Yeah, just like I had to travel back here," mused Aquamarine.
"Isn't the sunset beautiful?" asked Dark suddenly, looking past the trees into the fading orange horizon.
"Uh... yeah, it is."
"You know, before all this happened, I was lost in what I was meant to do with my life. But this journey has helped me with that,"
"Really?"
"Yes, now I remember a prophecy, one I had long forgotten. It was made a long time ago, right after I was born and just before I was chosen to be a seer."
"What is it?" asked Aquamarine curiously.
"Rarest of Rare
Child of the Moon
You will wander your life an outcast
Loved only by your enemies
Traveler, Dark Ocean
Aquamarine"
"What? Was that the Prophecy? Why does it have my name in it?" stammered Aquamarine, worried.
"It warned of what would happen to you, but I had forgotten it before today. It has my name in it too, you know,"
"Only part of it, it has my whole name in it!"
"No, my full name isn't Dark, it's Dark Ocean,"
"Oh, that means- Wait, I remember a prophecy told to me by the Victreebel that ties into this...
Powers are building
Visions will clash
The Image of Peril is rising
The shining one comes forth
Oppose the evil forces
Follow the Ocean"
Aquamarine stopped and looked at Dark expectantly, wondering if he could put the two prophecies together.
"But I'm in that prophecy as well. Why am I in all the Prophecies?" mused Dark irritably.
Aquamarine shrugged, and Dark looked at her curiously. He mused the two divinations over in his mind, confused. Suddenly, realization dawned in his dark, indigo eyes. He watched hesitantly as Aquamarine stared at the flame-colored sky, and finally nodded, a resolute air about him.
"Aquamarine, do you know why I went to search for you?"
The shining Sceptile flinched suddenly and turned to Dark, considering.
"No," she said at last.
"I didn't either, until now..."
"Why?" whispered Aquamarine, a faint hope dawning in her golden eyes. Dark met those eyes, and was lost in their beauty.
"I just realized that I love you, Aquamarine. That's why I went to search for you, and that's why I stayed."
"I knew, Dark Ocean, and I love you too."
The two Sceptile smiled and turned towards the tree together, but suddenly stopped. The sounds of the fast-paced Grovyle lives echoed throughout the forest, disturbing the stillness of the evening. Aquamarine looked at Dark, who gazed back and made a sour face. They both laughed, racing away into the trees as the last light of day faded softly into the tranquil sea.
The End
By: AzureF
Started: Aug 2nd 2003
Finished: Oct 4th 2003