o-o-o- Chapter 6: Departure –o-o-o
I sent Leonna to the storage to room to get a small sack of Pecha berries while I began a small fire and prepared to boil the water. I opened one of the cupboards and took out a ladle and some utensils I would be using, completely aware of Grovyle's presence leaning on the doorway of the kitchen.
I could feel his gaze follow me as I fluttered here and there before finally breaking the silence. "Celebi…"
"Yes, my dear Grovyle?" I replied, not looking at him and continued fiddling with the utensils I gathered. I heard him sigh and ask, "Are you sure you're fine with us leaving?"
Honestly, no. I thought, and finally stopped moving, since I was just waiting for the water to boil now. I turned to him, and smiled, "Whatever do you mean, my dear? Of course I am!"
He raised one of his eyebrows, giving me a sceptical look. I knew I couldn't fool him. My shoulders sagged as I sighed, leaning on the counter. I lowered my gaze and shook my head as my companion left his post by the doorframe and strode towards me.
"I know you, Celebi," he began, "You're worried."
"I am, but…" I muttered, hoping Leonna wouldn't appear from her trip to the storage just yet. The stew could wait.
"But?"
"Even if I worry myself to death," I saw his eyes narrow, "you still have to go. Nothing can change that."
Grovyle shook his head at me, "Celebi, if Leonna and I knew what would happen to you if we leave, I don't think I can-"
"Nonsense!" I said, not wanting him to even utter the words I feared he would say, "I'll be fine, my dear. Sure, I might be a little lonely, but I can handle it. I'm not that weak, you know."
The Grass-type in front of me sighed and gave up. "Alright, I believe you. But you have to promise me…"
I tilted my head a little, "Hm?"
He did something I could only dream of him doing; Grovyle lifted one hand and cupped my right cheek, causing me to blush furiously. Thank Arcues he pretended not to notice, or at least I think he did. "Promise me you'll keep yourself safe."
I smiled gently and leaned into his hand, "I promise, Grovyle. I will."
We stared long and hard into each other's eyes, treasuring our one moment of peace before they left. I love you, Grovyle, I thought, closing my eyes.
It was then that I remembered the boiling water. I gasped and fluttered away from him and towards the pot that contained the water. I let out a sigh of relief when I confirmed that the liquid inside did not evaporate. Just then, Leonna appeared at the doorway, holding up the sack of berries and grinning widely. There was something about her grin that made me think she was up to something. I brushed the thought away and accepted the berries, thanking her.
"No prob, Celebi," she beamed at me, "afterall, it's for the stew I'll be gobbling up."
I laughed while Grovyle smiled, and went to work on the stew. My two companions both took a seat at the dining table and watched me as I cooked their last meal here in our time.
Since they seemed so quiet at the table, I reminded them, still stirring the ingredients in the pot, "Don't you think you should be preparing your things for your journey?"
"All done~" Leonna piped up. "Hey, Celebi.."
"Yes, my dear?"
"You're part Grass, right?" she asked curiously and I nodded, wondering where she was going to lead this conversation. "Then how come you're not afraid of the fire?"
I froze on the spot, before slowly glancing at Leonna. "I-I don't know, honestly…" I muttered, going back to cooking, "It just feels… safe I guess."
"I see," she replied, "You must be pretty brave then! I wonder if Grovyle could do that…" I sweatdropped, and I thought I heard Grovyle groan and face palm himself.
"Leonna," our only male companion said, "I can't cook."
She giggled, "But you could always ask Celebi to teach you!" I smiled to myself and added, "Yes, but not when you have to travel back into the past and save this planet."
"Finally, someone logical…" I heard Grovyle mutter.
"Hey! I heard that!" Leonna exclaimed defensively. Before another argument began, I announced, "Alright, the stew's done!"
"Yay!" I swear, I don't know how I believed this child could save the world. Grovyle stood and handed me three small bowls to fill, which I did so. He helped me carry them to the table and we ate. Leonna finished before I could even finish half of mine, and asked for a second round. However, instead of me standing and refilling her bowl, Grovyle did the task without a word. I smiled sadly and thought, I'll miss these times…
"Hey, Celebi, what's with that look?" I heard Leonna ask and I returned to my senses. I shook my head, my smile seemingly happy, "Nothing, my dear. Go on and keep eating, 'cause you'll be needing a full stomach."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Later on…We stood in front of the area in Deep Dusk Forest where the Passage of Time lay hidden. I looked back at my companions, the only ones in this world that I ever cared about, and saw a look of determination on both of their faces. Leonna's beautiful green eyes were tinted with a little sorrow, as Grovyle's seemed wistful. No, I couldn't let any one of us be hindered by emotions, even though I wanted to break down.
"Are you ready?" I asked, but it was more of a statement than question. They nodded and I waved my hand, the Passage of Time revealing itself. I turned back to them and reminded, "Hold hands tightly, so as not to get separated while going through time."
The two of them did as they were told, and stepped forward. "Leonna…" The girl turned to me, "Take care of yourself and Grovyle for me."
"I will, Celebi, and take care of yourself as well." I nodded and turned to Grovyle. We were silent until I blurted out, "…I'll miss you, my dear Grovyle."
He simply smiled and opened his mouth to reply when a Shadow Ball appeared out of nowhere and nearly hit me. It missed me by an inch. The three of us shared a look of alarm as we turned to the direction of where the attack came from.
A good ten feet behind us were four Sableye and a big dark Pokemon I was not familiar with. "Dusknoir." Grovyle sneered beside me.
"Greetings, Grovyle." Dusknoir said casually, "I'm glad I was not late to say farewell." He glanced at me, "Ah, what a pleasure to have the legendary time guardian, Celebi, here with us." I glared.
Dusknoir waved a large hand and I was tackled form behind by what seemed to be another Sableye. "Celebi!" Leonna called out worriedly.
"Why you-" Grovyle glared, ready to attack, but I stopped him, despite being in an… unpleasing situation. "Grovyle! Get to the portal already!" I yelled, and the Sableye holding me pushed me down.
"Wha- But Celebi-!"
I mustered all my strength, which isn't much, to push off the Sableye holding me down. I barely escaped his claws when a Shadow Ball hit me, knocking the wind out of me. Dusknoir laughed lowly, a scary sound I never want to hear again.
I tried to get up, I really did, when I saw a Sableye out of the corner of my eye about to pounce on me, claws ready. I closed my eyes and waited for the pain, when a minute later, it never came. I opened my eyes and saw that Grovyle was standing in front of me, and had stopped the Sableye from reaching me.
I was happy he protected me, but I was more worried about the fact that the Passage of Time was left open. I managed to make my wings work and lift me from the ground. I shook my head to clear the pain and focused on more pressing matters.
"Grovyle!" I said, "I thought I told you to get to the portal already!"
"And what, leave you here vulnerable? No way!" He said, fending off another Sableye. Honestly, my heart swooned at his words, but my mind had other thoughts. I pulled Grovyle away from the fight and aimed large chunks of rock at the enemy. Currently, my aim was not just to hurt them but also to keep them at bay.
As the Sableye struggled under my rocks, I grabbed Grovyle's hand and pulled him towards the Passage of Time, where Leonna had knocked out a Sableye with her kicks. I always wondered how she could be so strong and brave to do that. When we reached her, I grabbed her hand too and I looked at them one more time, "You have to go, now."
"But Celebi-" I cut her off.
"No buts, my dear. Just go." I smiled at them, "This is goodbye, I suppose." And I did something I would probably never do if it we didn't have a Dusknoir and four Sableye (not five, because one was knocked out at our feet) closing in on us; I kissed Grovyle's cheek.
Then I pushed them both through the Passage before they could even reply.
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This is the best chapter yet, if you ask me. I don't know, but I had a bubbly feeling while writing this, something I didn't really have while writing the previous chapters. And thank you, Eeveesin98 for reviewing! I hope I put enough sweet moments between Grovyle and Celebi, and don't worry, your wish will soon be granted ;)