Last edited on: 2021/12/26
"M-'Mesprit'? T-the Lake Guardian of this place?" Lucas asked without looking away at the Lake Guardian.
"Yes, that's me."
I-is it really the Lake Guardian, in the flesh? A-and, why's she the one who's treating him?!
M-maybe he's gonna get cursed for joining all his fricking 'genius plans', and she's just preparing him for it! And that legend…
Oh no.
Oh no-oh no-oh no!
W-was he gonna get…
Cursed? Punished? Taken away?
No…
No-no-no…
She felt too powerful, like really-above-him kinda powerful! It's like being scolded by every big person he knew to the max. He knew that all those naughty stuff he did with Barry had to be paid, and… this was it.
He can't do anything. Heck, he's nothing in front of the Lake Guardian, and his punishment's too close!
His legs felt like jelly, and his hands were getting wet.
He's not a man. He's just a kid off the street who gets bullied.
He can't help it. He wasn't strong enough to not cry in front of a powerful legend.
He's weak.
He should've known better when to quit joining Barry's stupid ideas.
"Lucas!"
Lucas could only cry, cry, and cry. W-wasn't there a way outta this?
"No, no, no, Lucas. Shh-shh-shh. It's okay. It's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you," Miss Mesprit hugged Lucas and patted his back with her hands and tails. "Let it out. Just let it all out."
"It's not… my fault… Please… don't punish me…" Lucas said while bawling his heart out.
While Miss Mesprit's comforting him, all he could do was tell her all of his wacky adventures with Barry in the lake, and he said almost all of them were really disrespectful to her, the legit Lake Guardian. She just listened and continued comforting him.
Right there, he felt a weird feeling coming from her comforting. It's like he's being hugged by people he thought as family, and it's relaxing him. It took a few moments before he got the energy to talk again.
"There, there, Lucas… I'm a nice pokémon… I won't punish you… I've known you're a good boy deep inside."
"M-Miss… Mesprit? I-I wanna know… A-are you really… really the Lake Guardian?"
Miss Mesprit looked at his face and wiped the tears with her little hands. "Yes, Lucas. It's me, and I really mean that it's me."
"B-but, Mom and the oldies said t-that bad kids get punished or cursed… Am I a… bad kid? Am I gonna really be… taken away from my home?"
Lucas was about to cry at the last word he said, but her soft hugging made him comfortable.
"No, Lucas. I only do that to the bad guys," she said with a smile and wiped more of his tears and snot away. "I like you, and I can never bring myself to hurt you. You're a special boy, and I will never let anything bad happen to you."
The look on her cute golden eyes really made him feel at home. He could really trust her, and it's like… she could be his friend. He smiled back at her, and she looked pretty happy. He's getting better every moment with her.
Maybe it's fate that he got to see the legit Lake Guardian… or some random story crud.
"And also, you can also call me 'Mesprit'. Drop the 'Miss' part. We're not really formal and all," she said and played with one of her pigtails. "And if you want, you can see me as your friend, or maybe your big sister! I'm a kind and nice pokémon, so you can be yourself around me," she added with a smile.
"A-alright", Miss — I-I mean, Mesprit."
Friend, huh… Oh!
She nuzzled him affectionately, like how his mom would do. When she floated back, he got another good look at her then realised: that's why she's so familiar. She's from that encyclopaedia 'Rare Pokémon From Around The World'. All he could remember's that mesprits were fricking good with emotions and psychic thingamajigs. It felt very different seeing her in the books and in real life, too.
"Remember, Lucas, constant intense emotions like these aren't good for your health, you know?" She cupped both her hands and her eyes glowed a bit. Suddenly, water appeared on her hands! D-dang, that's pretty cool! "Here, drink some fresh and cool mineral water. It always feels good during a hot summer day and after a long and good cry!"
He looked over her hands. "Do you have a cup, M-Mesprit?"
She pouted before she made a white cup appear outta nowhere. Was he supposed to drink from her hands? T-that's kinda icky, though…
"Here you go." She gave the cup, and it felt cold. He quickly drank from it, and it really felt good. "Do you feel any better now? Should I get you some more?"
Lucas shook his head, saying that one's okay, and Mesprit smiled. She rubbed the back of his head, and he felt more relaxed when a warm feeling came in his head. Lucas sat back and looked at her, smiling and all that.
"Now then. Let's have a not-so awkward introduction." Lucas nodded, and Mesprit cleared her throat like a lady and gave him her right hand. "Hello! I'm Mesprit, the Guardian of Lake Verity. Nice to meet 'cha!"
He smiled at her cute act and took her hand for a handshake.
"It's nice to meet you, Lake Guardian Mesprit." He smiled and bowed his head. "I'm Lucas, uh, of Twinleaf Town." She put a hand on her mouth and giggled. "W-what's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing. You're just too cute, Mister Lucas of Twinleaf Town," she said with a wink.
Oh boy, if he's ever gonna be with her on an adventure or something, he wasn't sure if he's gonna handle her attitude. Not that it's bad or anything. Anyway, what's important to him's that he's on the good side of the Lake Guardian.
That's when it hit him. He remembered that he's gonna ask her something.
"Oh, uh, Mesprit?"
"Yes~?"
"About my cuts and all…"
She sighed. "Is it about how I should've used my psychic powers instead of manually doing it like a human?"
"O-oh. D-did you read my mind for that?"
She shook her head. "You asked the same question a moment ago, and I promised to tell you the reason for my actions."
Looked like he forgot it while he was letting it all out. Right there, he felt the mood change from friendly to serious, like 'called by the principal' serious.
"Well, I'd love to heal you with psychic, Lucas. Really, I do 'cause it's faster and more efficient! But," her face turned serious, "just who's the one who tried to kidnap a baby starly? Hm?"
"H-hey! It's Barry! He's the genius airhead who started it!"
"Ah-ah-ah~ Who's the one who tried to stop him but still acted against his word and joined him in the end?" She put a hand under her chin and looked up. "Hm~ Maybe they lacked integrity and honesty?"
Oh shoot, Lucas knew who she's talking about: him. He wasn't really honest with himself. Well, maybe at first, but at the last part? Nah. He didn't want to answer 'cause he felt really guilty. All he could do was frown.
"What you've done to yourself is the consequence of misbehaving, Lucas, and I now hope you understand from here on out. I'll soon have a word with your human friend someday. But hey, cheer up, Lucas!" He felt his hair being rubbed by her soft hands. "What's admirable about you was that you still didn't let your human friend down, somewhat."
"Y-yeah. You're right."
"Just don't, and I mean NEVER, do anything crazy in my lake, okay? When that yellow-haired human or your other friends want to cause some terrible trouble here, just say 'no' and go away."
"B-but, I don't wanna leave my friends like that."
He heard her grumble a bit. She quickly stared at him with her serious golden eyes. The black part was also growing big, but not too much to cover it like a moment ago.
"Lucas."
"Y-yes, Mesprit?"
"This is my domain, so don't go tearing up this place like it's nothing important. I'd feel disrespected if you do. Go wreck and thrash someone else's land somewhere else, and I wouldn't care. However!" She raised a hand up. "I will make sure that those, be it human, pokémon, or any living being, who deliberately harm this lake's order and its inhabitants without any good reason will face their appropriate consequences."
He gulped, but he wasn't scared. It's like he's being scolded by his mom or his teachers.
"So, Lucas." She gently held his cheeks and had this concerned look on her face. "Do you understand now?"
"Y-yes, Mesprit." Dang, it really is like talking to his mom and to one of his teachers.
She sighed and ran her hand along his hair. "I'm not mad at you, and like I said, I would never hurt you, Lucas. You're too precious for me. I don't see you to be the type to become naughty or rowdy. I want you to see you grow up to be a fine man. You really have the potential, as with all pokémon and," her eyes looked away, "some humans."
She's really concerned about him, huh. It's almost like… she's his guardian angel and mom, or those kind and loving big sisters on TV.
"Lucas?"
"Y-yes, Mesprit?"
"Next time, when you want to play with that yellow-haired human here, but also don't want to cause trouble in my lake, you could just stand at a ve—ry far from him, and I'll show you why you should know better to behave than to be crazy and all." She crossed her arm and looked up. "I just wonder why your friend looks like he won't ever change."
He sighed. "Trust me, he's really stubborn."
"Kyu!" She pouted. Oh boy, it looked like Barry's gonna get punished soon. Serves him right!
"Well, I still couldn't thank you enough for treating my wounds. I'm really, really thankful and, uh, honoured, Mesprit." He bowed after saying it.
"Oh, Lucas. Seeing your growth all these years, I just want to make sure that you're safe and protected. That's all. In fact, I've dealt with those pesky staraptors."
"Cool… How'd you do it by the way, Mesprit?"
"Girl's secret~" She closed one eye and put her tongue out. "I'll tell you once the time's right."
Dangit, he really didn't like it when people would keep stuff from him, but he'd be alright with it sometimes. Also, it's the fricking Lake Guardian in front of him!
Still, he remembered that pokémon like her are outta this world, literally. She's bubbly and all, but he should be more careful with her 'cause of what the town's people and his school taught him about legendary and mythical pokémon.
He still couldn't believe it, though: this was Mesprit, the Lake Guardian, the one who he's been hearing a lot, especially from the town's oldies that get mad at his friends for being bad. He's always wanted to meet the Lake Guardian, and whaddaya know, she's the one who nursed his cuts! Dang, it's like he's way luckier than Barry, ha!
But, it felt really, really weird. Now that he thought about it, Mesprit, a legendary pokémon, didn't 'demand respect'. That wasn't like what the town's adults and oldies said. They said that they're supposed to be 'mythical creatures who're very strict and didn't have time for fun and games', and the books say that they're heck-a powerful! From the looks of it, Mesprit's fricking strong. She could be friendly and still got time for fun, but was she really like that? This made Lucas become careful again.
Heck, it's his first time meeting her, and he's got a lot of questions running in his head.
"Seems to me that you have something more to say, Lucas."
"L-let me guess, my face looked weird for a sec, right?"
She giggled. "Aw~ Don't be ashamed! I enjoy talking to you, so feel free to share what's on your mind."
"I-I know you said that, but…" He wasn't sure at first, but maybe she should know. "It's just that… I feel weird."
"At what, Lucas?"
"Um, well… It's 'cause I…" Uh oh, her face looked worried. "I think it's… um, something doesn't… feel right."
"What do you mean by, Lucas?"
No, he can't just say that she's weirding him out. It's fricking rude! "I-it's nothing, Mesprit. I-I'm sorry, and just please forget about it."
"N-no, Lucas!" She quickly held his hands. "I wanna hear it, really!" Lucas yelped at what she did, and she quickly let go. "I-I mean, p-please tell me, Lucas. I want to know what's troubling you."
S-should he even tell her? Thinking about it, maybe it's best if she knows.
"Oh, and uh, Lucas?"
"Y-yes, Mesprit?"
"If my status as the 'Guardian of Lake Verity' intimidates you, then please ignore that."
"W-what do you mean, Mesprit?"
"I want you to see me… as a friend, not some bossy superior or some fancy legendary. W-would that be alright?"
It couldn't be that bad. Plus, she's been acting all chummy with him. Maybe he could deal with it. Also, his dad used to say 'make friends, good and close friends', so it looked like he's really gonna be straight-up honest to boot.
"M-Mesprit, I-I… t-think…"
Dangit, honesty's the best policy!
"Argh, why's everything so weird? Why're you acting close with me?!"
Oh shoot, just why'd he have to yell at her?
Lucas felt that he slapped the Lake Guardian in the face, twice. Looking at her wide golden eyes, he knew he did something wrong. Uh oh, maybe he's gonna get it for real!
"Wait-wait-wait, I didn't mean it as a bad thing, Mesprit!"
She turned her back on him, and that's really bad. She got really quiet, and he felt that he really hit her hard with his words, again.
He tried reaching out to her, only to be stopped by something invisible. Uh oh, he's hearing sniffles! "P-please, Mesprit, hear me out. I'm sorry I yelled again. T-that's the last time it'll happen. P-please, please don't—"
"I won't punish you, but please," she turned around after saying this, "you'd better explain yourself, Lucas!" O-oh shoot, she looked mad and teary!
He quickly but carefully explained what's in his mind a moment ago. Now, she knew why he's been weirded out, especially why she's been really 'friendly' to him.
But something's not right. W-why's she still keeping her angry voice up?
"So, that's how your fellow humans think of us, huh?" Lucas shivered, and he knew he had to shut up. "To be honest, I don't really think those 'demand respect' sorts of stuff are necessary; it's a bit too much. For me, just the right amount of it is enough — too much isn't. This is probably why your fellow humans remain below us; they'll only depend and turn to things or beings convenient for them and then maintain that bond for greedy reasons. Plus, they'll only create answers to questions that best suit their wants. That's how I think, but I'm not sure what my sisters and the others think."
Lucas was listening to 'the talk' carefully, like when he'd get it from his Mom. 'S-sisters'? Does she mean… Uxie and Azelf? He remembered that there were three Lake Guardians, for Sinnoh legends at least. And 'others'… They're probably the other legendary and mythical pokémon.
"Then again, I understand that your fellow humans see us as supreme deities or god-like creatures and so treat us respectfully, but that sort of respect and all should be for our Creator, and I'm talking about the One greater than Father Arceus," she added.
"B-but, Mesprit. Why… why's it that you see us like that? I-I don't feel right when you put it like that…"
"You're asking how I view your kind, right?" she repeated his question.
He slowly nodded, and he saw her black part of her golden eyes slowly becoming bigger.
"I hate humans. They're weak and dependent creatures who are nothing, even to the simplest of pokémon. All of their fragile little hearts only have space for malice and ill will. For me, the majority of people who try to summon and call me are scum! They come to the lake in weird as hell costumes and speak to me with 'due respect' even though I sense those jet-black intentions in their soul, and unfortunately, those pokémon controlled by them with similar thoughts are no different… Filthy humans deserve to rot and to die slowly!" Mesprit's gems and eyes were glowing really brightly.
W-was this who Mesprit really is? M-maybe those books and video games were right: there were strong as heck gods who're hidden around the world. B-but, she was just like a motherly angel moments ago!
Just why? Why'd she have to be so… different?
Still, not all people are bad! Sure, there'll be bad guys, but there'll be good guys, too! He couldn't tell her that, though. He's getting creeped out, and he felt something behind his back, like that feeling when he'd watch a scary movie. Heck, he's sweating buckets!
Suddenly, she went back to normal. "N-no wait! I-I don't mean you!" She quickly floated to Lucas and held both of his cheeks with her hands. "You're something else; you're much, much more special, Lucas! You're not like any other human or pokémon whom I've come across. So, please… Don't be afraid!"
He'd be scared right now, but he's trying his best to push it away.
C-calm down, Lucas. I-I should relax. Don't overreact. Remember that!
"M-Mesprit? I-I think we need some space." She's millimetres away from his face, and it's weirding him out.
"Oh, s-sorry," She uncupped his cheeks and floated back. "I got over-excited there. P-please excuse me." She covered her face after that.
D-dang, there's really something in her that's causing her to 'change' real quick. Whatever the heck it is, Lucas had to be extra careful with his words 'cause if he didn't, he knew that crazy stuff would happen.
Legendary pokémon, huh. They've been a big question mark to him. Just by hearing those stories back home and reading those folktale books, he knew something's up with those kinds of pokémon. They're also very interesting, but some stories just don't make sense. Also, do all of them hate humans like her? That idea's making him shiver a bit, but she did say that he's 'special'. Just… what the heck does it mean?
About Mesprit, though, she's friendly and scary at the same time, kinda like she could flip a switch in her. Still, she treated his wounds, and he learned a lot from her in just a few moments. He guessed that mythical creatures had some special stuff that made them stronger than anyone else. If that's that, he's only bummed out at how much she hated humans and how her attitude's very switch-y. Everything else? He's fine with that.
And then, she has 'sisters'. If he still remembered the Canalave books in his school library, Uxie should be up north at Lake Acuity, near Barry's relatives' home. He'd know. Then, Azelf should be at that rich-kid resort in Lake Valour. Maybe Dawn's heard of Azelf since she's been to that resort.
Still, he really wanted to ask her a lot of stuff, but maybe there's a right time for that. Looked like he should get to know his new… friend.
He smiled, thinking of the last word that popped in his mind. Maybe she's not that bad if he got to know her more, but he remembered: she's still the legendary Lake Guardian.
"Lucas?"
"Oh, Mesprit?"
She slowly floated to him. "You're also asking why I'm 'acting all close' to you, right?" He nodded. "Well… I did say that I want to be your friend, that's why." She played with her little hands and looked down when she said it.
He got closer to her. "You're my friend, Mesprit, really!" She lit up when he said that. "It's just that… it feels weird that it's happening just now and so fast. Heck, you're the Lake Guardian of Lake Verity who I just met now, but please don't get me wrong! I'm still really thankful I got to know you, Mesprit, and I won't forget what you've done to me after those stupid staraptors."
"I-is that so?"
He nodded and smiled. "Yes, Mes."
She became shocked and put one hand on her mouth. "M-'Mes'?"
Uh oh, he realised what he just joked. "W-wait, I-I didn't mean to say that. I swear! I-it's just that I said 'Mes' without thinking, honest! A-and, I'm sorry if that's a rude thing to you, Mesprit."
Frick, why do I keep forgetting that she's the Lake Guardian?!
"No-no! It's alright if you call me that. I mean, I was just shocked when you called me that since I'm not used to others calling me 'Mes'."
"Oh," Dang, what a relief. He didn't know what'd happen if he's rude to her again. "Who're those 'others' who call you 'Mes'?"
She looked to the ground. "Only my sisters and a few have ever called me that way, and you're the first human to ever call me that." Lucas was interested in who those were, but he didn't really care.
Dang, just how weird this day's gonna get? Looking at Mesprit, everything seemed pretty okay, but the look on her face told him that it's not. Heck, she looked like she was gonna say something, and he just cut her off when he called her 'Mes'. It's like she's thinking hard about something, and it's making Lucas feel bad.
"Hey, Mes?"
"Yes, Lucas?"
"If you're gonna say something to me," he clapped his hands once to make his head clear, "I'm all ears."
Dang, now I'm the one telling the Lake Guardian to open up.
She giggled. "Well, who knew you could read minds now?"
"Actually, you had that I'm-thinking-hard look on your face," he replied with a smug smile. Dang, it's so cool he's turning the tables!
"Oh, Lucas… You're really cute with that look on your face, you know?" He turned red at what she said, and she giggled again and put her hands under her chin. Then, her thinking face came back. "But yes, I'm actually going to say something to you. Well, ask something from you."
Lucas nodded. He felt like there's gonna be a test or something, and he got his head ready for anything that came from the Lake Guardian.
"And, Lucas? I'll be needing your 100% honesty, alright? Don't worry, I won't be reading your mind. Can I trust you with this?"
Oh boy, it's really gonna be a test from the Lake Guardian Mesprit. He nodded one more time, and his hands were getting sweaty.
Whatever she's gonna ask him, he had to answer nicely and politely. He shouldn't overact; he shouldn't yell, and he shouldn't lie. He's not gonna get punished right now, no siree! He's already friends with the Lake Guardian, so he shouldn't mess things up!
"Lucas, I just want to know truthfully: are you still afraid of me?" Mesprit asked.
Afraid?
"Of you?" She closed her eyes, so that meant a 'yes' from her.
He's got his answer, but he recalled what the heck's happened from when he got up to where he's at now. All she ever did to him was treat his cuts, comfort him, remind him to behave, and tell him a bit of herself. The thing is, she hates humans, and her personality was a big mystery for him. Heck, who wouldn't freak out if a god came up to someone and then did crazy stuff to them?
He had to tell her the truth, and that's the best answer he could give.
"I guess… I am. I'm not gonna lie, Mes. I'm still afraid of you," he confessed, and sighed.
Mesprit opened her eyes, and her tails dropped like clackers. Her mouth became a frowning 'o'. Lucas knew that she's shocked to hear him say that, but he had to shut up and listen before he continued.
"I… I see…" She looked up to the sky, and there's something that's shining on her cheeks when she did… Whatever the heck that was, it disappeared right away. Looking back at him with a mesprit's normal face he'd see in the books, she floated to Lucas slowly. "Well, that's okay, Lucas. Thank you, and I really appreciate your honesty." She put one hand behind her and closed her eyes again. "It's… been—"
"Um, I'm not yet finished, Mes."
"K-kyaun?"
She stopped and opened her golden eyes. It's like he could feel that her eyes were saying 'What?' in an I-don't-believe-you voice.
"I'm afraid of you. That's true," he sighed and then smiled, "but I still got something to say."
