The sun had begun to recede from it's high point in the sky, but it's brightness still cast down upon the small sea city. Groudon, Latias, and Latios all sat in an enclosed restaurant on the edge of the island, looking out into the vastness that was the ocean. The sun's rays made each wave crest sparkle and gleam with a white shiny glare, dissipating the last few minutes of daylight. The colors that diffracted through the clouds cast numerous hues onto the heavens, forming a natural painting that no one would turn away from. Pelipper and Wingull returned from oversea excursions, silhouetted in-front of the artwork, creating a view possibly more breathtaking than the garden.
Groudon couldn't help but be lost in a trance, looking out over the ocean waters. Despite the noisy hustle and bustle of the restaurant, he kept his focus out of his sea-side window. Latios and Latias sat in the booth opposite to his, similarly enjoying the view. Even though they were very familiar with an Alto-mare sunset, it was still a marvel that they could each stare at for hours on end.
Groudon pondered to himself the beauty of the ocean. He may be the continent legendary, but he sure had to give the sea its due credit. The shimmering waves Kyogre called home seemed much more appealing in this setting than how he normally viewed them. Usually the expansiveness and depth of the ocean left him nauseated and intimidated, however now they rolled in grace completing the portrait on display. It made him remember the sea basin legendary distinctly. Just like the water, she was beautiful and elegant, and on occasions such as this one, he was drawn into a trance. The only difference between the two was he wouldn't be smacked for gawking at the sea.
It made him wonder if Kyogre did love him back. From what he showed on the outside, he was only into being lazy and finding ways out of his duties. Unfortunately, the truth was he didn't have the courage to tell her how he really felt. It was one of those 'easier said than done' scenarios, where he would find the confidence but couldn't follow through. He vowed never to wimp out again and make a fool of himself like the last few times he 'tried' to tell Kyogre. One abysmal attempt was on the shores of Kanto, where they were tracking a rogue pokemon group on the mainland. The group had been attacking trainers in a nearby village, but in all honesty it wasn't that big of a deal. The only thing he remembered was that he found Kyogre on the beach looking out over the sea, similar to how he was in the present. The same waves rolled; the same sun shined. He had played a few jokes and laughed through it, but inside, he remembered him feeling like that was the perfect time to tell her his feelings.
Truthfully it was, but due to presentism's sake, he wasn't strong enough to follow through and ended up swerving the conversation off track to a discussion about why bananas are curved. He even got a second chance when Kyogre asked him what was wrong after acting nervous the first time around. He remembered copping out in the most cliche way possible by writing it off as 'nothing'.
The experience was difficult enough for him to realize he wasn't going to make any headway with her if he wasn't man enough to tell her, even remotely, how he felt. Its been a few centuries, but finally Groudon was feeling the faintest bit of confidence... even if it was muffled in a wad of appetizer bread.
"So Groudon..." Latios said, cutting the silence between them like a knife. If Groudon was willing to admit it, it even startled him, dropping his crescent roll back onto his plate.
"...me and Latias are willing to help you with anything... but what is it that you really need help with? I know you could handle these situations perfectly if something truly happened, but it seems like you can't deal with them when it's not in an important environment."
Groudon took some time to think. He hadn't considered what in particular was holding him back.
"How about your decision making process?" Latias suggested. She got an unclear expression back from Groudon and elaborated.
"Look, you are confident with your proposed answers to hypothetical situations, but most of the time there has been a better way of handling things. Maybe if we can get you to think clearly about all of the possibilities, then you can decide which one is the best."
It wasn't a bad idea in the continent legend's eyes. He didn't seem to struggle when it came to thinking up possibilities, but he didn't have a way of filtering out the wrong ones. They would all jumble up in his head like a bag of marbles and before he knew it, he would say the best of his worst answers.
By now, he had time to think about Latias' first hypothetical situation with the falling tree branch, and concluded that the best way to handle it was to move the rattata or use a non-harmful type attack to block the falling branch. However it was too late, and Arceus sure wouldn't give him that long to answer each individual question.
"Yeah I agree." Groudon flatly said. "But how can you help me clear my thoughts? You can't exactly change how I process things... at least I think."
They are psychics after all, better not give them any ideas.
"No, no we can't. But you can." Latias said, confusing Groudon.
"I can? What do you mean by that."
"I mean, you are in control of your thoughts. Often, when someone's having trouble concentrating or focusing on something, it usually has to do with another pressing issue on one's mind. Either that, or you're just under a lot of stress."
Groudon's eyes widened. He knew exactly what could be this 'pressing issue' Latias proposed. But before he knew it, he was denying it.
"Ah hehe, it's probably stress. You know how bad I am taking Arceus' decision to kick me out of the council..." Groudon forced a subtle laugh, trying to hide his seemingly sudden and quick response to the question... which didn't seem to work as shown by the two eon dragon's unconvinced faces.
Dammit!
"Groudon? What's going on."
The continent legend let out a small sigh. He definitely had screwed up this time, but he wasn't in the mindset to just admit all of his feelings. After all, they were just starting to make progress towards finding out how to help him pass the test. He didn't want to spill everything when it might not be what is dragging him down.
"I mean, there are things... happening... the test is really the main problem I think."
Neither eon dragon was buying it. "I don't think that's it Groudon".
"Why not? Maybe I'm just like this and I'm not cut out to be on the council. Can't you understand that I've really been trying?"
"Yes, we get it" Latios interjected, not wanting to return down the self-loathing road they had just came from. "But Latias has a point. If there is something of greater concern to you than Arceus' test, you likely are concentrating more on that. And if it's bigger than something this important to you, it probably is having an effect on your concentration."
Groudon couldn't deny what he was hearing. The entire test he didn't write a single answer because he was too busy thinking of Kyogre. They had figured out everything... everything except what it was that he was so obsessed over. All he had to do is tell them.
"I... maybe." Groudon once again was unable to find the words to speak what he meant. It was eating into the eon dragons' patience.
"Can't you tell us? Or is it that important for you to keep it to yourself? If it is that important, just say so and we'll leave it at that." Latias spoke with sincerity, making Groudon realize he could just back out now and suppress his feelings for another... who knows how many years. But even though this was the way he wanted to go on the outside, his subconscious fought back for him to pursue the truth. After all, no matter how he puts his situation, they'll be accepting of it.
Why is this such a big deal? You came here wanting to get control of your life, now make the move!
"I-it's... I can't really... explain it. It's hard to explain."
"I understand. But I feel like this is the thing holding you back Groudon. You have all the confidence, the knowledge, the skills to excel on the test. You just need to focus on harnessing them, and not worrying so much about what's on your mind. Do you think you can fix it, or can we help?"
Yes please I need help! Unfortunately those words were only spoken inside his head. On the outside, he just shut himself up. What a petty fool he was. If Kyogre was here to witness him acting like this, there would be no way she would even turn to acknowledge him. And that mental image wasn't funny to him anymore.
"Groudon?"
Their voices once again echoed in his head. It was like he was trying to pull a first tooth: where the build up is bigger than the actual event. Unfortunately somehow this situation seemed even more impossible than such a trivial matter like that. However his mind for the first time looked outwards when he vaguely heard a nearby human slip. He crocked his head just for a moment to view a woman standing by a nearby balcony. In one fatal swing, her back hit the railing, and her feet lifted off the ground, sending her side over side off the balcony of the restaurant, facing the beautiful glimmering sea below. The whole scene spelled disaster with a capital D. Rather the entire word was spelled with capital letters, in a large text size, in a comic book font, and Groudon felt like he had enough time to spell it out… D… I… S…
Before anyone knew it, the woman was no longer falling, but hanging by the grasp of a man's hand. Using all of his human muscle strength he had, he held on to her. Then adding the help of his second arm, he lifted her back up and over the railing and to safety.
Everyone was taken back by the scene, mostly wondering what had transpired. For a moment, someone was screaming. But everything was fine, and a woman was safe in the arms of another. She had regained her composure before throwing her arms around the savior. In a unified effort, the entire restaurant released a round of applause for the man and his successful avoidance of a major tragedy. Instead of listening with rapture, he returned to his booth with two other mystified guests, who each looked at him with expressions that combined many different feelings. One of the two spoke up first in a bemused amazement.
"Uh Groudon, do you know what you just did?" Latios commented in a matter-of-fact statement rather than a question. Groudon had a hard time hearing him over the sound of cheers throughout the restaurant.
"I-i saved that woman... from falling I guess." Did I? It all went so fast… or slow, I can't tell.
"Groudon! You saved that woman. You essentially just passed Arceus' test in physical form with flying colors!" Latios excitedly spoke.
"You didn't hit her with an attack, you didn't let her fall, you didn't hesitate. You did everything right in order to save that person's' life Groudon. That was amazing!" Latias backed up her counterpart's observation.
Before he could reply back, their waiter returned speaking about a free meal for the man who saved the woman's life. Latios and Latias turned their gaze back to Groudon affirming their position.
It was all still overwhelming for the continent legendary. He hadn't really thought about his actions. He just did. How did he know that that was his true motive and not just blind luck? After all, he failed on even simpler practice examples in the garden. Plus everything they had said about an ulterior concern was true. That still had to have had an affect on his thinking process.
"I don't know..."
The eon dragons looked back puzzled.
"What do you mean you don't know? That's all you need to know. That you can do the right thing! Now you just need to translate that to Arceus' test."
"I shouldn't take the test, because I'm not needed on the council."
"Don't be so dense Groudon, we need you on the council." Latios cajoled smoothly.
"But I haven't done anything that rewards me to be on the council and I never will. I'm always looking out for myself and no one else. It's better I live my own life."
"Tell that to the girl you just saved Groudon." Latias spoke up. "If you hadn't used your critical thinking, she'd be dead. You saved her life; you do serve a purpose!"
"But I'm not worthy of being on the council if I'm still not in control of my own thoughts... with that thing bugging me."
"So you do admit you have something greater on your mind?" Latias pointed out.
Groudon cringed inward. He had forgotten he hadn't admitted fully to that yet.
"Well, yeah I..." Groudon was screaming inside his head. He grabbed his head in frustration. He just made a bigger mistake than denying his feelings towards Kyogre in the first place. Now he'd have to tell those two the truth about why he also came to Alto-mare.
Wait you idiot, that's what you wanted, so why not take this chance and say it!
Latios struggled to get the continent legend to look at him. "Groudon, you are fully capable of doing a stupid test. I don't know what this thing is on your mind, but you are losing the battle. Stop letting it control you so much."
"But it is controlling me!" Groudon meekly spoke. "I can't do well on the exam. I can't explain it, maybe it's easy for you, but it's so hard for me."
"Groudon..."
Just tell them, just tell them, just tell them.
The restaurant around him began a celebratory chant, only adding to the noise. He gripped his head tighter, having his own internal screaming compounded by the voices of Latios, Latias, and the supportive crowd around him. It was all too much.
All he wanted to do was to release the tension that had built up inside of him for over a millennia, but he simply couldn't. The mental block in his head was obstructing his gate of thinking, and wouldn't let any words come out. He gritted his teeth, trying to bust it open himself. He swore he might burst a vein, but that didn't keep him from stopping.
What would they think? Would they laugh at me? Would they think I'm crazy? I don't want to answer a whole lot of questions. You're here for Arceus' test, not your failed love life. Admit it, you're here to fix your relationship with the one you truly love!
He felt his thoughts build up inside of him, twisting and contorting, squeezing inside his mind, making room for new thoughts to be processed. Then they would spin and tumble like marbles, rising random thoughts and situations to the surface, ready to be processed and create even more thoughts.
It's the truth, just say it. They are here to help, just tell them the truth. Maybe wait for a more private situation to reveal this to them?
But no matter what he did, he couldn't break out of this grip he had thrust upon himself.
What am I so afraid of?
"GROUDON!"
A familiar blue dragon suddenly shone brightly in front of him, no longer disguised as a human. His presence was overbearing as he stared into discordant eyes. He was about to object before realizing he was no longer in the same restaurant, but instead an... empty reality. He shrunk back, suddenly feeling very small in the legendary's presence. Looking from side to side, there was absolutely nothing. No walls, no sky, no cheering crowd, no anything. Just him, and the slightly glowing form of the eon dragon he had gotten to know so well over the past few hours.
"Groudon look at me. I have never invaded a legendary's mind before, especially without permission, but you need to tell me what is going on, right now."
Groudon winced again. But could he?
"Groudon!"
Latios gave him no time to return to his inner thoughts, and dragged him back out to reality... or whatever this reality could be called.
"I know you want me to know, so just tell me what is so troubling that you can't express on your own!" Latios' voice was unwavering and demanding.
Many times Groudon had felt inferior in knowledge to the eon dragon and his counterpart, but today was the first time he had felt powerless to them. And it sucked. But somehow it was what he needed.
The continent legendary, closed his eyes and breathed, letting the flat air roll in and out of his lungs. This is what he needed. A relief. A remedy. A release from all of the thoughts and concerns he had built up over the past hundreds of years. And he was going to do it for real this time.
His mind, still a mess, began to clear very slowly, like fog dissipating in the morning sunlight. All of his lingering thoughts and voices began to recede, exiting his consciousness, opening up his once-packed mind. His body de-stressed, removing the pressing tension in each of his muscles, allowing the cadence of breaths to flow in sync with his now calm and relaxed state of being. Lost in the feelings, his body felt like it was not sitting in a hard wooden booth like at the restaurant, but on a white fluffy cloud, where it would catch him from falling and form to his exact liking. His thinking was relaxed, and his serenity returned. Finally opening his eyes, he released thousands of years of frustration and anguish, in the form of three words.
"I love Kyogre."
He immediately spotted next to Latios, the red eon dragon with her eyes glowing, staring into himself, just before the blank dimension faded and returned to the normal restaurant they had previously been at. All the noise was gone. The crowd had dispersed and the chanting halted. All was quiet, until Latios spoke up.
"That's it?"
Groudon hadn't fully yet recovered from the situation and was still dazed after the intrusion into his consciousness. However he compliantly returned with an embarrassed stare to the side.
"Yeah that's it."
It took a few moments for the 'pressing issue' on Groudon's mind to really set in. To the eon dragons, immediately it seemed foolish that something so insignificant was causing so much stress for him. Yet the continent and sea basin legends hadn't quite shared the bond as they had. Usually between them it was back and forth arguing or sharing opposing thoughts and feelings. Looking back, neither Latias nor Latios really remembered a point where either of them got along. They wondered how long he's been holding those words inside of him.
Latias decided to break the tenacious silence. "Hey, you got it out. Don't you feel better?"
Groudon thought about it, and he did feel somewhat better. Yet he only felt inferior to the world around him. He went through so much strenuous anxiety and apprehension just because of a few words that easily could roll right off the tongue. Now that he had admitted it, he felt like dropping it all together.
The eon dragons were going to comment about his dull expression before their waiter cut in with a hot steaming platter of food. He directed his attention towards Groudon and offered another round of applause for the man who saved the woman in distress from falling. He asked for the disguised legend's name and Groudon almost mistakenly spoke out his own, before thinking twice and responding with the first name he could come up with. The crowd in the restaurant once again rejoiced in celebration, ignoring his obviously downcast mood, before quieting down again to a normal volume.
The eon dragons remained silent as they let Groudon cope with finally admitting his true feelings. They figured this would probably be the best time anyways, when everyone's mouths were stuffed. Succumbing to their hunger, they started on their dishes. Latias started to dig into her fish fillet, which had been upgraded with numerous different sauces and spices. Latios on the other hand, had his plain, not caring much about any of the other flavors. It didn't take them long to gulp down their portions very quickly, but Groudon hadn't touched his yet. Eating made the continent pokemon feel sick to his stomach. Everything that had transpired did. He had fret it, he had said it, but he couldn't live with it. Why not? Didn't he cross the finish line? Wasn't the battle over?
"Maybe it's time to get some rest." Latias suggested in a low voice, finished with her meal. She arched her neck to view the fading sky. "It is getting late after all. There is plenty of time tomorrow to worry about all of this."
"Latias is right." Latios agreed. "I can get you a to-go box for when you're feeling hungry again."
Groudon shrugged without emotion. Just in deep thought.
Latios sighed at his lack of response, and went to fetch one himself. Latias sat, staring at the legendary across from her. It was only a day ago she barely even knew him, but time flies quickly. She opened her mind, attempting to locate any emotion within Groudon's consciousness, but came up empty handed. He wasn't sad, or angry, or even happy. He was just... kinda there. Too engrossed in what he had said. His emotions had been so great, that they had almost died out completely.
Groudon had his human chin in the knuckles of his hands, staring blankly out the window, watching the last dim light fade over the horizon. The waves continued to crash over the rocks, as they would all through the night, like they always did. The ocean never stopped, never paused to take a break. It kept going through the nightlight hours until the sun finally decided to get out of bed... for the start of a new day. The days in which he had so little of until he had to get better. Until he had to get over this whole situation. But for now, he wasn't interested. If Arceus kicked him off the council, so be it. He may not even give Arceus the chance to say that to his face. He didn't know if he was going to go at all. He didn't know if Kyogre was going to wonder about his absence at the re-take. He didn't know if Kyogre would even come to support him.
He didn't even know if he ever wanted to see Kyogre again.
Groudon stared at his reflection. He wasn't meant to be with Kyogre. He wasn't going to be a worthy counterpart to someone who gave so much of an effort. There was just too much he lacked. Too much he could never gain. Maybe Kyogre applied to both categories; he wouldn't doubt it.
He moved for the first time in minutes, and looked up at Latias.
"Latias..." Groudon asked, catching the dragon slightly off guard.
"Yes Groudon?" Latias replied hopefully, thinking he was willing to talk again. Confidence beamed in her eyes, but it sure was dim in Groudon's.
"You caused me to say what I did."
Latias looked back, suddenly with a guilty look on her face. Groudon needed no answer.
"I-I'm sorry Groudon, I... really didn't... Me and Latios didn't want to invade your mind like we did, but we just had to. You were having a mental break, and we figured you really just needed to get it out. So, I helped you by swaying your emotions... to make you feel more confident about yourself while in your thoughts... to tell us."
Her gaze trickled off to her side, realizing how nosy and manipulating she had been. It seemed right in the moment, but she prayed to Arceus she didn't hurt him even more as a result.
"No... it's not you."
Groudon went quiet for a moment, with Latias intently waiting for an answer.
"...and?"
"It's me" Groudon spoke up again. This time emotion clawing at his voice. "I couldn't say it on my own. You had to help me say it..." His voice trembled, fighting back the emotion that welled up inside his chest. His hands suddenly slammed down on the table, as he stood up tall.
"SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT ME!"
Groudon's loud outburst came without warning and Latias sunk into her seat. He turned and bolted out of the restaurant; Latias noticing glistening white drops surrounding his eyes.
Latios had just returned with containers for the leftovers and quickly tossed them aside calling out to him by name. Realizing there wasn't much use yelling after him, he turned to Latias for an explanation.
"Latias what happened?"
"I-I don't really know. I don't think he's taking it as well as we thought he would."
"Well obviously!" Latios cried out frantically. Around him, he heard a few mutters of the people left in the restaurant. He knew he was causing a scene, but he also realized he was acting completely out of character... and he just called Groudon, Groudon.
"Haha, I guess he doesn't like that nickname..." Latios sheepishly prevaricated to the crowd. No one was sure as to what occurred, but Latios used it to his advantage. He grabbed Latias by the arm, and both ran out of the restaurant after the fleeting disguised legendary.
Getting out into the cool dusk air, they were easily able to spot his figure, running in mismatched directions, looking for somewhere, anywhere to go. However he wasn't making it far. Judging by his frequent turn backs, he was getting lost in the crowd, returning home after a busy day.
"Come on" Latios said quietly."He doesn't know it, but he needs us."
Groudon took off down a familiar looking alleyway, hoping that he would eventually make it out to a somewhat calm area. The garden maybe? But then he'd have to deal with Latios and Latias again, and he didn't really feel like it. He just wanted to remain alone.
Over and over and over and over again he reprimanded himself, sometimes in his head, sometimes aloud. He shouted to himself for leaving the restaurant in such a scene. Ignoring the help the eon dragons were trying to provide. Escaping his fears by feebly running from them.
Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic.
After a few more turns, it didn't take long for him to realize he had gotten himself good and lost. Not exactly what he wanted, but it was quiet. A drastic difference than the noisy town that had reverberated in his ears for far too long. Any more time spent in the restaurant and he may have lost his mind... if he hadn't already.
He clutched the hair on the sides of his head and yanked.
What is wrong with me!
Groudon rested his human body against a wall, sliding down until his rear touched the cool stone ground. He said he felt better. His appearance didn't agree.
He buried his head in his hands, feeling tears pool up in his palms. Nothing was okay anymore. Saying three simple words... it was like the weight of the world had lifted, but now ten times that amount had been put back on. In what form? That's what Groudon was wanting to know. He was strong, he was powerful. Of course he should deserve a place on the council. All of his predisposed thoughts still lingered in his head, as he remembered how far, how fast he had fallen in the last twenty four hours.
In a fit of rage, he stood up and slammed his fist against the cobble wall across from it. Yet he had forgotten to consider his human form, and pulled back ready to scream in pain. Again he found himself on the ground, but this time he watched a puddle of crimson red begin to form in front of his eyes. Despite his body's protests, he slammed his fist against the ground some more, letting out pent up frustration. Frustration over everything. The test, the council, the restaurant, his actions, his incompetence, himself…
He stopped.
He stared ahead defeated, eyes glistening with lorn. The night had taken over, and the moon's light cast shadows all around him... yet he found himself in the center of attention. The spot light was on him. He fell from a kneeling position to laying on his side completely, staring off into the darkness. A strong contrast to where he was now.
"Kyogre?... Do you love me?" He called out to the darkness. "...Kyogre".
There was no answer. Nothing. Just the uncertainty the dark brought. He could whisper all he wanted. He wasn't going to get an answer.
He wasn't going to get an answer.
Groudon's eyes widened. He wasn't going to get an answer... he was asking the wrong person. All of this time, he asked himself. He blindly spoke to someone that wouldn't be able to give him the answer. His conscious couldn't answer it; his emotions couldn't answer it; his lackadaisical attitude couldn't answer it. Not even Latias and Latios could answer the question. The only one who can answer that question, is who it means the most to. So if he thought he was going to feel better from telling the dragons…
The continent legend heaved an exasperated sigh and sat up into a sitting position. He closed his eyes, forgetting about everything around him. And once again he was in his thoughts. This time, slightly more clear, and positively alone.
"I love Kyogre. That's what I said... okay that's what Latias helped me to say. Big deal. So what if Latias and Latios know now. It doesn't affect me nor Kyogre in any way. The only one I can tell and it will make a difference to, is Kyogre. That's who I'll get an answer from. Not me, not Latios, not Latias. If she loves me, that's what I've wanted all along. If I've crossed the point of no return for our relationship as more than counterparts, then so be it. It's an answer... and it would certainly get me further than where I am now... asking myself if she loves me... isn't that the weakest thing you ever heard?"
He turned over his knuckles, observing the punctured skin marks. "My name is Groudon. Pokemon cower just at the thought of that name, and you're sitting here crying over something you haven't even attempted to try yet, in fear of what? She'll say no?" Groudon asked himself, contemplating the answer to the question.
"In fear of what? In fear of what?" He repeated, tapping his chin humorously before chuckling.
"You're weak Groudon. These knuckles are just like your soul right now. This last day and a half has been tough, but I won't let that take me down a level."
He looked back at the wall he feebly attempted to punch earlier. "...And I sure as hell wouldn't let a little wall stop me from venting frustration."
He leaped off the ground, and swung his same arm, strongly at the cobble wall again. This time it crunched and buckled under his weight. It felt great, and this time he felt no pain either. He removed his arm from the indented cobble, now glowing with his legendary form peeking through. The hard red scales took the place of his old tender human flesh. He grinned and looked up towards the moon. It's shine radiated down only to him. The rooftops carried too far over for the rest of the alleyway.
"Am I an idiot? A buffoon? A weak hearted individual for worrying so much about all of this? Of course I am. But I owe it to myself to change. I'm not afraid of anything, so I won't let anything stop me. I had a plan coming in here; two things. One was to solve my relationship crisis... which was a bonus. More importantly though, I came here to pass that frickin test."
His avoidance of profanity came off silly to him and his grin widened.
"The plan stays. I'll find Latios and Latias in the morning and commit to passing. After that... I'll ask Kyogre that silly question and be done with it. So be it whatever answer I get…"
Groudon hesitated.
"Or maybe I can commit now." He grinned, waving up at the sky. Two bodies materialized from thin air surprised to see Groudon had noticed their arrival, but also concerned for his well-being.
"Hey... Groudon." Latias calmly and carefully spoke out. "I figured you wanted some alone time so we'll leave you be, but I did want to offer the garden to sleep in tonight. I wasn't sure if you were, well, going to leave here tonight or maybe find somewhere else to sleep. But no matter your call, you are welcomed in for the night."
The eon dragon watched hopefully, and was unsure of what to think when she saw him with a smile on his face. And with a quick read of his emotions, she realized... he was happy?
"Oh thanks Latias... but I don't think I know how to get back there." Groudon lifted his shoulders in a teasing shrug. Latios and Latias shared quizzical looks between each other, wondering what had happened to the emotion he had shown a few minutes ago. They each flew down a little closer to be by his side on the ground.
"Uh, Groudon we thought you were going to be a little more... angry about the situation? You seem so... fine with everything. You didn't hit your head or something in these alleyways did you?" The idea was unlikely, but it was the best excuse Latios could muster.
The continent legendary let out a huff. He apologetically looked up at both the dragons.
"Yeah I guess I should be sorry. I didn't mean to cause a scene back at the restaurant. I was just... I guess caught up in emotions. Oh Arceus I hate admitting that." He was visibly embarrassed by the confession, but didn't struggle with it.
"No no no, you're fine Groudon." Latias corrected. "No one's here to put labels on you. Everyone has emotions, even Arceus. The fact you've gotten so worked up over you and Kyogre, shows me just how much she means to you."
"Your feelings for Kyogre are obviously on a deep level, and I can imagine how long you have had it bundled up inside of you. There's a point where you just can't keep it in anymore." Latios added. "I think you'll find getting it out is the best remedy."
Groudon stared off to the side. "Boy you both are absolutely right about that. I've learned a lot about myself in the last twenty four hours." He began to wander off back in the direction he came.
"I'll take you up on your offer Latias, but I'm going to go for a walk first."
He threw an arm over his head with a wave. It was the arm that he had transformed to his original form, but it shone lightly, and returned to normal. Latias and Latios smiled as they watched him walk away.
"If you remember coming in, just follow the river from the port until you come to a bridge. Then the nearest alleyway on the right should lead you straight to the garden."
"...And if that doesn't work, just remember the garden is in the center of the island."
"I'm sure he knows that Latios." Latias grinned at his obvious piece of direction. Latios laughed back.
"You never know." He concluded, before taking back to the sky. The red dragon followed suit, and they swung up into the deep blue sky. Being exposed to the moonlight was a potential issue, but it was reasonable to expect any seafarers or night owls to mistake them for a common bird of prey. Latios was too busy thinking about their encounter to concentrate on that."
"So do you think he'll be alright Latias? He seemed fine to me, but did you happen to know if he was still suppressing anything?" Latios turned to face his counterpart directly. "Because I don't know his plans, but he's not going to be in any condition to take Arceus' test... and then Arceus may actually kick him off the council."
Latias didn't respond initially. Instead she mulled it over in her mind, which was misinterpreted by Latios.
"Okay I know, that's a dumb thought. Arceus is only using that as a motivator and it worked. But I'm just saying..."
"No it's okay Latios." Latias finally answered. "Its just that... I saw pure happiness in Groudon's eyes. Something that was absent this entire time. I think it took him a second to come to terms with what admitting his feelings did, but I think he realized that any attempt on making a relationship with Kyogre, was better than just waiting and wondering."
The blue dragon looked back at his counterpart, thinking about her words.
"He's going to be fine. And it wasn't us who's to thank. He's fixed himself."
"Nah I think it was all us." Latios smirked.
"Oh settle down on that throne of yours king." Latias giggled, playfully giving a punch to her counterpart and zipped ahead. "Race you back to the garden!"
Latios hadn't seen it coming and it took him a second to react, but he too sped off at high speeds to catch up to his counterpart. Their dark forms cut through the night sky as a single figure watched from below.
His lips hadn't fallen once.
One more chapter to go after this! Thanks for sticking with it!