Jirachi's Feelings and Seto's Apology
Some of the royal beasts were in the palace courtyard discussing yesterday's surprise. It wasn't a big problem because they would only be talking about it amongst themselves and not with any commoners or visitors even if they were beasts of legend. Jirachi was flying around in excitement. To him, a child for the king and queen meant a new playmate for him. Not just a playmate, but someone to protect as well. Jirachi would be like a big brother. He always considered it that way because he often heard he was one of the many Magical Creatures born from the will of the Great Goddess Millennia. And since the new child would be Millennia's new heiress, she would be Jirachi's little sister or cousin.
One of Jirachi's friends, Celebi, took notice of Jirachi's excitement and decided to speak with him. "It's wonderful news, isn't it, Prince Jirachi?"
He finally calmed down so he could speak with his friend. "Please don't call me 'prince'. It doesn't seem right to me." Since his human companion became the new queen of Egypt, Jirachi became Egypt's prince of monsters. He wasn't necessarily a leader of the country, but he still ruled the beasts alongside his friend Lucario. Jirachi had kept insisting to his friends not to call him their prince, but it couldn't be helped for them. Some of them were even the guardian beasts of the royal court, and it especially couldn't be helped for them; not even Celebi. Even though she was a free beast of legend, she served as Isis' guardian beast. Just as the power of the Millennium Necklace gave Isis the power to recall the past and predict the future, Celebi could travel to the past and future. Not to mention they were both healers of sorts.
Celebi smiled and told Jirachi she couldn't deny his request no matter how many times he insisted and even if they were just friends. "You know I can't help it. It's a royal custom, after all."
"I suppose so," Jirachi groaned. He refocuses his attention on Mystery and happily sighs. "I guess I always knew. I mean, the queen does look a little different and she has been behaving a little differently."
"It's unmistakable, Prince," said Celebi. "It's the look every woman, human and creature, gets when she knows she's about to become a mother." Looking at Mystery, she continues to explain, "She's always looking so happy for no particular reason at all except for her discovery. Now that she knows about it, she'll do anything to keep it safe and take good care of it." Celebi had seen it several times before when she helped examine mothers-to-be; seeing them look so happy and taking proper care of themselves.
Jirachi faces Celebi and asks her, "They are having a daughter, right?" He had to ask because he had been told that the first child born unto Millennia's family would always be a daughter. As a result, the first daughter would be the one to inherit the powers of the Great Goddess. Not that he had any objections; he thought it would be fun to have a baby sister. Besides, he remembered that Mystery wanted a daughter of her own.
"Well, there's really no way of knowing for sure right away," Celebi honestly answered. "I suppose only time will tell. But I'm sure the Great Goddess will let the pharaoh and queen know what they're having." After that, Celebi and Jirachi decided they would talk to the rest of their friends. Even Mana would be joining them.
"You're really excited about this, aren't you, Prince Jirachi?" Latios asked.
He makes the same request again. "Please don't call me 'prince'. It doesn't feel right hearing my friends call me that."
"You know we can't help that," said Latias. "Besides, we have to now that you're royalty."
"I guess so," said Jirachi. "But you're right; I am excited. I'm going to be a big brother." Seeing his friends look confused, he explains, "All right, so you know how the baby is going to be Millennia's new heiress? Well, you also know how people believe me to be one of Millennia's children? We're both children of the Great Goddess, so that makes me like a big brother."
Hearing Jirachi's voice and listening to what he's saying, Seto interrupts by laughing and asking, "You a brother to a human child? That has to be the most absurd thing I've ever heard." Then he turns his attention to the rest of the royal beasts. "Do any of you honestly believe monsters like you are actually going to be friends with our future princess? A human infant is not a toy, you know."
"We know," Jirachi replied. He was aware that infants had to be handled gently and softly. "You don't have to worry about a thing, Seto. I may just be a little monster, but I can be a big help."
"Size doesn't matter, you're still a monster," Seto retorted. "It also matters not if you are a royal beast. You see, Jirachi, the fact is that no one wants a monster no matter what status, what size, or what their appearance or nature near a baby."
Jirachi wanted to protest. He met Mystery when she was a baby and they always did everything together; play, fight, eat, sleep, and learn. They even taught each other how to speak.
Even after hearing that, Seto continued to torment his friend. "You may have done all of that with Queen Mystery, but she was not a newborn when you first met. Besides, you are much older now and your antics have changed." Jirachi was older, but his maturity remained somewhat the same. He was still a little childish and curious. He understood his flaws, but he still wanted to be a big brother. Seto places his hand over Jirachi's head. "I know it's hard for you to accept, my friend, but these are the facts. Even if you have your reasons for wanting to be with the child, many of the royal humans will do everything to keep you away. When that happens, everyone you loved will ignore you and in time, forget about you."
As Seto continued to explain, Jirachi started to imagine what things would be like for him. Would he really be pushed away and scorned for just wanting to help? Would he never get the chance to relive those fun moments? Would he be forced to live out in the cold? When Seto finally finished, Jirachi groaned.
"Don't listen to him, Jirachi," Mana told him. "He's always this way and you know he's lying."
Seto shakes his head. "What did I tell you in the beginning, Mana? It's the truth." He finally stood on his feet, but before he left, he gave Jirachi another warning. "And remember, my confused little friend. When a baby moves in, the monster moves out," he said and walked back inside the palace.
Tears flowed from Jirachi's eyes. Whether or not anything Seto just told him was true, it still hurt. None of the other royal beasts paid any mind, however, but it didn't help much. They had to do something to help their friend.
Even Mana didn't like seeing Jirachi look sad. "I don't believe he's telling the truth, but don't worry. I'm going to help you."
"But how," Jirachi asks after wiping his tears.
"Well, if any of the royals decide to feed you any leftovers, I'll share my food with you instead. And if you have to sleep outside on the ground or in a tree, then I'll sleep with you."
"But you have a bed, Mana," he reminded, "Why would you sleep without comfort?"
"Because you're my friend, Jirachi, and friends are always there for each other," she tells him and smiles. Jirachi smiles back and hugs her. It made him feel better knowing he was still loved and cared about by others. But that wouldn't be enough to restore his hopes. Since it was Mystery's child and he was her monster, he had to settle things with her.
When Mana heard her name being called, she left the courtyard and went back inside the palace. Sakuya rubbed her head against Jirachi's to comfort him. "She's right, Jirachi. Don't let it get to you. It's not his child anyway, so it's not up to him to decide who gets to be her friends."
Lucario picks Jirachi up and holds him. "You should talk to the pharaoh and queen about the matter. Even I believe you deserve to be friends with their child. Just as you said, she's your sister."
Even though he saw that his friends were right, Jirachi wasn't in the mood to talk to them right now. Instead, he decided he needed to clear his mind and relax. Everyone respected his decision and agreed to leave him alone for a while.
While Seto was in his study looking over some scrolls, Kisara stormed in with an angry look. Startled, Seto accidently smears one of the scrolls. "Have you gone mad?" he scolded. "You may now be a royal, but manners are still in order."
Kisara pays no attention. Instead, she lifts her hand and slaps Seto in the face. "I just heard everything you said in the courtyard. How could you be so cruel to your friend? Especially when you know how sensitive he is?"
Seto places his hand over his cheek. He did know Jirachi's personality very well, but still thought it would be fun to tease him. There was no problem in saying all the things he did anyway since he was being honest right from the start.
"That doesn't matter," Kisara scolded. "Even if you were being honest, it wasn't funny. It was mean. It's Atem and Mystery's child, so let them decide what's best for her. Also, let Mystery decide whether or not Jirachi can be her friend. Didn't you even think that maybe you were hurting Jirachi's feelings? Or how would you like it if the pharaoh and queen told you that they didn't want you in their child's life?"
Seto cleans his desk and remarks, "Just as you said, it's their child."
"Precisely," said Kisara. "But what if I was having your child and told you and I didn't want you in its life?" Seto said nothing after hearing that. He wasn't being ignorant; he was just speechless. He wouldn't have liked that very much. Then he started to think about Jirachi's feelings. Kisara finally calms down. "I love you, Seto, but this has to stop. No matter how funny you find yourself to be, you still end up hurting your friends. Even if you do it because you like them and want to have fun with them, you need to consider their feelings and stop acting like you can control everything." Then she leaves the study.
As Seto started rewriting the scroll, he started thinking about what Kisara said. Jirachi was his friend and he did hurt his feelings. An apology was in order. But as Kisara mentioned, Jirachi was very sensitive and wouldn't be the forgiving type after hearing all that he was just told. So he decided to set things right between them.
That evening, Seto saw Jirachi playing in the palace courtyard with Mana. He approached them and asked if he could play along, but they ignored him and decided to go inside and help Joseph with his work. He tried again the next morning when Jirachi was having breakfast, but Jirachi teleported away. He even offered to give Jirachi a bath when he finished eating. Again, to no avail. For Jirachi to stubbornly refuse to listen and want to be left alone, Seto knew this wouldn't be easy. He was used to getting this sort of reaction when he wanted to apologize to Joseph and Mahad for having petty arguments and childish quarrels, but this was the first time he made Jirachi feel so bad that he didn't want to talk to him.
Summer was over and it was now the middle of autumn. Preparations had to be made for the arrival of winter; making sure there was plenty of food, keeping everyone in comfort, and managing crops and fields. Since it was the desert, days in the cold seasons would still be typically warm and skies would be clear, but precautions still had to be made.
Mystery managed the first half of her pregnancy with grace and happiness. With Isis and Mahad's help, she kept in good health for herself and for her daughter. With the progressing of time, it was now clear that the child she was carrying was indeed feminine. It wasn't just because Millennia herself was feminine or because the Great Goddess told Mystery so, but because of the small, but strong connection within.
Looking at Mystery, Seto held a piece of papyrus in one hand and a feather in the other. "Just a few months left," he said to himself.
Jirachi heard him and realized what he was doing. "Cut it out, Seto!" he growled. Trying to hold back his tears and bite back his hiccups, he tells him, "Stop counting already!" and flies away.
At first, Seto didn't know what Jirachi was so upset about, then he remembered that it was because of what he told him. But it wasn't his fault. Seto had tried many times to apologize to Jirachi, but still ended up being ignored. Other times, Jirachi would be so irritated for the times Seto would constantly try to talk to him, he would lose his temper and end up attacking his friend. Seto had received the message that Jirachi wanted to be left alone and would leave him to think things through. Sad to say that neither of them got over their problems.
Jirachi went to the royal treasury and looked through a mirror to gaze at his reflection. He had been doing it several times, asking himself if he was a human or monster. Thinking about the similarities humans and monsters share, he can't find himself to compare with either of them. Embracing the fact that he was born with the body, instincts, and behavior of a monster, he looks happy at first, but when he thinks about his human manners, he tries to envision himself as a human. However, it still ends up as the same result: disappointment.
Atem found Jirachi and sighed. He learned about what happened between him and Seto and didn't want things to continue being this way for his two best friends. "Jirachi, we need to talk."
Jirachi gives the king his attention and flies over to him. He thought he understood what he wanted to say, so without letting him speak up, Jirachi tells him, "I know, Pharaoh. You came to tell me that I shouldn't stay angry with Seto. But it's so hard for me to forgive him and put it all behind me. Do you notice how he treats Mahad and Joseph? I know he's just teasing them, but he's still being mean."
"Yes, and I don't appreciate his attitude. But still, there are some things you need to know." Then they start making their way to the palace courtyard. "Jirachi, you must understand, part of what Seto said is true, and part of what Seto said is not."
At first, Jirachi thought that the king was taking Seto's side because they were best friends, but soon learned that a lot of his explanations were true. It pained Jirachi to hear that no animal or monster had any business near a baby, but it made him feel relieved to know that he would never be ignored or forgotten. Still, no matter what, Jirachi had to mind his manners and be considerate.
"You see, Jirachi," continued Atem, "we would never abandon or hurt you because we love you."
Jirachi always knew that the pharaoh and queen loved him. He knew he was also loved by Mana, Mahad, Kisara, Freya, and Joseph, but didn't think Seto loved him. "But why would Seto want to hurt my feelings if he loves me?" Jirachi learned that sometimes it would be all right for friends to have their disagreements and fight, but it was never all right to hurt one another.
Atem couldn't answer. He instead got back to the last topic and said, "We also know you would never do anything to hurt any of us. We have always appreciated you for who you are and you have always been good to the rest of us. You are our friend, Jirachi, and we appreciate that," as he rubs his back to comfort him.
"Even though I'm a monster?"
"Human or monster, you are our friend and we love you no matter what," said Mystery. Jirachi lifts himself up and sees the rest of their friends standing next to them. Mystery moves closer to Atem and takes Jirachi in her arms. "Oh, Jirachi," she sighs, hugging him. "I am grateful to have a friend like you. You have always looked out for me since I was little. Now you can do the same for our child." She wasn't saying that just to be fair and disappoint Seto, but because it was the right thing to do.
Even though he had Mystery's approval, Jirachi still had to ask for Atem's. "Can I, Pharaoh?"
"Yes," he answers. "Be a big brother to our little princess."
It made Jirachi happy to hear that. He dries his eyes and gives the pharaoh and queen his gratitude. He also lowers himself and hugs Mystery's stomach. "Don't worry, little princess. I'm going to help take good care of you because I'm your big brother."
Everyone smiles and laughs. Seto clears his throat and tries one last time. "Jirachi?" The little monster finally gives his friend his attention and promises to listen. "I'm really sorry for hurting your feelings. I was just-"
"I know," he interrupted, "you were just teasing. But you were also being honest," he says, finding his apology sincere. "Just please don't do it again."
"So am I forgiven?"
"I never said that," Jirachi reminded him.
"Well, can you forgive me?"
"Why should I?"
Seto smiles nervously and tells him, "Because it's my birthday and I would appreciate it."
"That's not a legitimate answer," Joseph told him. Seto hit him on the head for saying that.
"No, it's not," repeated Jirachi. He finally smiles at Seto and tells him, "But I can forgive you because that's what friends do." Then he rubs his hands together and asks, "Can we still be friends?"
Seto smiles and says, "Yes, friends forever." Jirachi laughs and moves closer to hug Seto's face. Seto laughs as well and places his hand around Jirachi to hug him. Kisara moves closer to them and kisses them both. Freya and Joseph smile at each other and place their arms over each other's shoulders.