The next day, Hunter was just finishing getting dressed when Mara appeared in the doorway. She cocked her head to one side. What are you doing?
"Getting ready. I'm going into the woods to try and find Taren."
Mara's eyes widened. Do you think you'll be able to find him?
"I don't doubt it." And with my second sight, he'll be even easier.
Mara looked down for a moment, pressing her lips together. Then, she looked up. I'm coming, too.
Hunter shrugged. "Suit yourself."
He put on the backpack that rested on the bed, then walked out of the room. Mara walked out behind him.
Buizel watched them go from the couch. As the door closed, it laid down on the couch and went to sleep.
As Hunter and Mara ran through the forest, Hunter had his eyes closed. He could sense two Aura signatures. Looks like Lucario's been busy.
He turned towards them, Mara following him closely.
Taren and Lucario both looked up as Hunter and Mara burst into the glade.
Hunter, slowing suddenly, looked at Lucario. Does he know?
About his origins, yes. Not about us, though.
Good. I want to tell him myself. Then you can tell me how he was born.
Lucario gave a toothy smile.
Taren sheepishly walked up to Hunter. Um, Master, I…I…
Hunter stepped forward and hugged him. Rubbing his student's head, he smiled. I know, Taren. I'm sorry too.
He stepped away. "And now, there's something else that we need to tell you."
Taren cocked his head to one side, confused. We?
Lucario stood up. Your master here didn't learn all of his methods by himself.
Taren looked at Hunter. What does he mean? Who did you learn them from?
Hunter gestured at Lucario. "Taren, Lucario was my teacher for weeks. When he first found me, I had no idea of the potential of the gift I carried. He took me in, trained me. And then…" he sighed. "Of course, it couldn't last."
Taren looked from one face to the other. What? What happened?
Lucario took over the story. Something was happening with a dimensional barrier. You remember Dialga and Palkia?
Taren looked at Hunter. Those two Pokémon from the legends?
Hunter nodded.
Lucario continued. Something happened that made them able to come into our world. Nobody else knew the threat they could pose if nothing was done. Hunter and I went to stop them. In the battle…I was killed.
Taren's eyes widened. You…you're a…a…a…
Ghost? Lucario asked, cocking his head to one side.
Hunter sighed and looked up. "It broke me, Taren. Having to leave him behind, even in the short time we'd known each other, was very hard. But while I was in the hospital, recovering from my injuries, he gave me something."
What was it?
Hunter looked at him. "You. Inside his glade was…"
My egg… Taren finished.
He looked at Lucario. That means that…
Lucario nodded. Yes. I am your father.
And…my mother died?
I tried to save her, Taren. You know I did.
Taren looked at Hunter. You didn't tell me?
"I didn't know, Taren. I could feel emotions coming from the egg, but I didn't know whose they were."
Taren looked from one face to the other. I…I don't know what to think…why me?
"There's something special about us both, Taren. I'm one of the most powerful Aura users in Sinnoh, possibly the world. You're my student. Aside from the fact that your kind of Pokémon is rare, you're also much stronger than the average Lucario. And…that's why I've decided you can care for yourself."
Taren's mouth dropped open slightly. What?
"I'm letting you go, Taren. You can take Mara, and do as you please together."
Taren ran to his teacher and threw his arms around him in a fierce hug. Sobs colored his voice and tears streamed down his face as he cried, both for joy and sadness. Thank you, Master. Thank you.
Hunter hugged him back. "It's alright, Taren. Come on. Let's get you ready."
All of them, even Lucario, walked back up to the house together.
________________________
They stood outside Hunter's house, at the back, at the beginning of the path that led into the mountains. Maylene was there. Hunter sighed, then looked at Taren. "You know this isn't easy."
You didn't say it would be, Master.
Taren and Mara stood together, facing the humans. Taren was clearly struggling to keep a calm face. Hunter smiled. "It's for the best, though. Mara can teach you far more than I could."
Mara smiled back. I'll take care of him. Don't worry.
Taren looked at the mountains on the horizon, then back to Hunter. I can come back and visit though, right?
Hunter nodded. "As often as you can. I look forward to it."
Taren walked forward and hugged Hunter one last time. I…I'll miss you, Master.
Hunter hugged his student back. "I know. Likewise."
Taren walked back to Mara and they both started to walk towards the woods. As they got there, Taren suddenly stopped and ran back, throwing his arms around Hunter as tears trickled from his eyes. I don't want to go! I…I…
"Taren, look at me."
Taren stopped crying, and looked up. Hunter knelt and brought Taren down with him. "This is part of life. Leaving the people you care about. Learning to let go." He turned Taren's head towards Mara. "Look. She's waiting for you. You won't get any experience just staying here."
Taren looked back at Hunter. But…but…
"No buts."
But will I ever see you again?
"What does your heart tell you?" Hunter asked, cocking his head to one side.
Taren was silent for a long time before answering. Yes. I think.
Hunter hugged him. "Then we will. Trust yourself."
Taren got up and turned.
"Oh, and Taren…"
Taren turned. Hunter walked up to him and put a small necklace over his head.
Taren took it in his paw and looked at it. It was a small shard of crystal that had two holes in it for a leather strip to go through. He looked up at Hunter, confused. What is it?
"Two things. One, it's a reminder. That I'm always with you, wherever you go. Two, it's a means of communication. If you ever need me, or want to talk, just take it in your paw," he said, folding Taren's paw around the shard as a demonstration "and think about me. It'll always find me, wherever I am."
Taren looked at Mara, then back at Hunter. He hugged his trainer one last time before running down to Mara. She waited for him to arrive, and they both ran into the woods.
Hunter sighed and gave a little smile. "I'm going to miss them both."
Maylene looked at him. "Are you going to replace Buizel soon?"
"Nothing can replace Buizel. But I'll need a Pokémon to keep me company on the road. I'll start looking. Let me know if you find any strays."
Maylene smiled. "Will do. See you tomorrow?"
Hunter nodded. "Yeah. See you."
She left.
He didn't know how long he stood there, eyes closed, watching Taren and Mara run through the forest until they got to the mountains. He opened his eyes after that.
Suddenly, he heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning, he looked as an Eevee pulled itself from the bush. It was limping on three legs, one having a small cut in it. It looked at him and backed up, squeaking in fear.
Hunter knelt and picked it up with Aura, gently placing it in his arms. "Easy. I'm not going to hurt you." He scratched its head. "Well, you might be just what I'm looking for." He stood up. "Come on. Let's get you inside."
He took the Eevee inside, pausing in the doorway one last time to look at the mountains.
Taren and Mara stood on a cliff overlooking Veilstone. Taren sighed. Mara walked up next to him, and put a paw on his shoulder. He'll be all right. And he trusts you. Isn't that something?
Taren sighed again. I'm…I'm really going to miss him.
It's alright. You'll see one another. Someday.
Taren nodded, then looked at Mara. She smiled. So, do you want to keep going, or stay here the night?
Taren looked at the rapidly setting sun. This seems to be as good a place as any.
Mara took his paw in hers and walked over to the cave they'd seen earlier. Yes. And we may find someplace better. But we're together, and that's what matters, right?
Taren smiled finally, and nodded. Yeah. That's what matters.
They walked into the cave as the sun set behind them.
This part was originally supposed to be two chapters, but it would just confuse people if I put one chapter up, then another. Anyways, I hope you liked it! I'll post the fourth story as soon as I get back from Europe. Hope you guys can wait three weeks!
By the way, if you want to have a moment with yourself and flash your mind past all of the stuff Hunter's been through with both Taren and Lucario, you should listen to "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins. I think it'd fit for this. R and R! And fave, if possible!