Hunter looked out the window of his room. Buizel was lying on his bed, sleeping.
He felt a new presence in the room. It was familiar. "So, what did you say to him?"
We had a rocky start, but I eventually began to talk to him. I started the story about his parents.
Hunter turned. "Where did his egg come from, anyway? And how did you get it?"
I'll tell you when you're ready.
Hunter pressed his lips together briefly. "So be it. How long did you talk to him?"
For as long as I could. He didn't want to go to bed, but I promised him I would return.
"And you will. Until he knows everything."
Yes. But I will not teach him the skills that you have. You are his teacher, not I.
Hunter nodded. "Okay. Has anything changed for him?"
His skills are much diminished without you. There's no one to correct his mistakes. No one to show him how to do it right.
Hunter nodded. "Don't let up. And, when he finally knows the truth, tell him… I'm sorry."
Lucario smiled. Will do. Don't worry. I'm sure he can't stay mad at you forever.
The next morning, Taren was sitting on the shore of the small pool in his glade when Lucario arrived. As he sat down beside Taren, he closed his eyes.
I lived in a place like this, a long time ago.
Taren looked at him. Really?
Yes. It was on a mountain, a long way away from here. Isolated, unspoiled…I loved it there.
Why did you leave?
My own reasons. Do you want me to continue?
Taren now fully faced him, his eyes filled with excitement. Yes!
Lucario opened his eyes and smiled. Very well, then. The two Lucarios ran through the forest, hoping for a place for the egg to come where it would not be seen…
Hunter was training outside when he sensed Mara on the porch. Turning, he smiled. "Did you sleep well?"
She nodded. Her stomach growled.
Hunter smiled again. "Come on. I'll get you something."
Inside, as Mara sat at the table eating, Hunter went into the den to make a call.
Mara pricked her ears up, listening as Hunter hung up the phone. "…Thank you, Nurse Joy. I'll be on the lookout for you. Goodbye."
Coming back in, he looked at her. "I called the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy's coming up to look at Buizel this evening."
Will I need to be looked at, too?
"I'm sure you're fine. Are you asking to be checked?"
She shook her head.
"Then you don't. Not unless you want to."
Mara smiled. Thank you.
"No problem. I'm going to go outside for a bit. I have something to do."
He walked out of the kitchen and out the backdoor, then took off into the forest, towards the mountains.
It was almost noon when he got to one of the least accessible cliffs in the mountains. It was the only place that had what he needed.
Placing his hand on the crystal's surface, he started to squeeze.
By the time Hunter got back, Nurse Joy's van was just pulling up. She was in street clothes, but she still carried her bag. Hunter got inside just as she knocked.
He answered the door, showed her in.
Buizel was quiet and obedient throughout the check-up.
Mara, in the kitchen, heard Nurse Joy and Hunter talking as she stood in the doorway. She only heard Hunter's words.
"I understand…thank you…goodbye."
He closed the door, then went over to the couch and hugged Buizel. "I'm gonna miss you, buddy…" he whispered.
Buizel gave a small, forlorn Bui and nuzzled Hunter's cheek. Mara closed the door and looked out at the forest from the window. I'm starting to wonder if agreeing to stay here was a good idea after all…
Taren yawned as Lucario was still speaking. He immediately quit talking and looked at Taren admonishingly. Get some rest. You've been up too long.
But you're almost done!
I can finish it tomorrow. Go to bed. I'll be back.
He got up and walked away into the forest. Taren, too tired to argue, went into his cave.
This is the second-to-last chapter, so I'll let you stew over it for a minute. After this and my "Hellgates Unleashed" story are done, I'm not going to be posting any new stories, because I'm going off to Europe for three weeks. Read some of my other stories, or, if you're new to the series, read the prequels. R and R, please!