Author's Note:
Review Update! For those wondering what the original AN was, it was just me rambling about a Game Jam I was in and the 3D work I did on it. PM me if that stuff interests you. Also, this was originally a bonus chapter, so bonus bonus!
BrightMind: Hopefully you are still reading this! Just stick with it! It is too early to make sense of it all yet. Now on to your reviews.
1) Yes, the first few chapters are really short. They've also had the most iterations before being originally posted. This review thing is mostly to help me update chapters with their latest versions just before readers read them as well as answer questions they may have.
2) Yes it is, but that statement was made from Melody's POV. I do this a lot in this story.
3) No. Definitely not coincidence. Many names have meaning or foreshadowing in this story.
5&6) Yes. This story takes into account the latest generations. Don't let your current hypothesis deter you from reading this story! Not everything is as it seems! There's so much more going on here that you haven't read yet! What I will say is that it is not entirely possible for the tribe to be unaware of the other evolved forms. Eeveelutions are not typically a migrating kind, and the tribe is pretty secluded from society with only a few exceptions. Lastly, a clue that might be worth looking at is buried with the Lapras in Chapter 2. Don't let any of this be an answer though. There's so much more to come.
This chapter is a little longer for this section, but is certainly nowhere near the longest in this story. This chapter introduces some of my favorite characters to write, so enjoy!
This chapter was updated 8/12/2016 and is 1600+ words.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon, just dream it.
Chapter 7: Decisions Suck
Clouds littered the sky like scattered marshmallows, but failed to block the sunrays from falling over the trees. Leaves flapped and rolled about in the soft wind. The water rippled softly against the shore. Not a single vaporeon disturbed the water as all were preparing for the ceremony.
Kieren didn't want to be there. He didn't want to be anywhere. He didn't want to follow his father's footsteps, but he did not know how to best avoid them. He wasn't ready.
Kat had returned to her spot underneath the cliff by the lake to finish the last of her decorations. Melody was delivering invitations.
Kieren never hung out with many of the other eevee. Most of them picked on him because of his father. Caleb was one exception. Caleb was strong, but he was often overlooked due to his nature-loving attitude. He loved plants, no scratch that. He was obsessed with plants. He even skipped training days to take care of his garden plants, and he probably would be in tonight's ceremony if it weren't for…well…plants. Even Kieren had to admit he was kinda an oddball, but he was tough. Caleb was Kieren's last good friend he hadn't talked to that day. It was the only thing left to do, so Kieren headed to the garden.
Caleb was nowhere to be seen.
"Wow. That plan sucked," Kieren told himself sarcastically. "Because no one who loves flowers goes out and decorates for the ceremony. Kieren, why are you such an idiot?"
Before he could answer his own question, he felt a strange, jerking impact against the side of his body. His feet lost their grip to the ground and suddenly Kieren was tumbling down the hill in every-which direction with whatever hit him. Finally his body stopped twirling as he slid to a halt along the dirt.
"Gotcha Kieren!" said a nearby prominent voice.
"You sure did, Trent," Kieren moaned, immediately recognizing the voice. He looked up and realized how close he suddenly was to the lake. Trent was kind enough to help the shaken eevee back to his feet.
"You ready for the ceremony tonight?" Trent asked enthusiastically.
"Eh," Kieren shrugged. He began dusting off his fur releasing pillows of dirt and scraps of vegetation.
"Just think of all the work and training we've put in, of all the fun times we had together, and now we get to partake in the ceremony together. Isn't that kinda cool?"
"You know it cous'," Kieren answered, trying to replicate his cousin's enthusiasm. It was kinda cool that they got to enjoy the ceremony together, if only Kieren had already decided what to become.
"So whatcha gonna be?"
Ugh! That question! It was like asking Melody her favorite swimming location.
"You tell me first," Kieren replied thinking quickly. He hoped to use his cousin's answer to redirect the topic of the conversation.
"Flareon all the way," Trent boasted.
"How come?" Kieren asked slightly astonished. Many had thought Trent would become a jolteon due to his speed, and since his father was also one. Despite being related to Kieren and Boran, Trent was well respected. Trent's father was one of the tribe's officers and Trent had full intentions to inherit the role in the future.
"Well I figured our tribe could use a little firepower that has brains, and that screams me," Trent boasted.
Kieren had to agree with that statement. Trent was too aggressive to be a jolteon, and the tribe really could use a flareon with an IQ greater than a negative number.
"So what about you?" asked the eevee Kieren had grown up with and hung out with his entire life. They had shared their sorrows and joys, and both felt the embarrassment of Boran to the family. Trent even sported a scar on his rear right ankle from the day he once stood up for Kieren. They had both tried to forget the incident that haunted Kieren's dreams. Kieren kept silent, crunching his neck fur together. His tail lost its energy and fell to the ground, being dragged by the slow, lethargic walking pace Kieren adopted.
"It's ok," Trent tried to comfort, outstretching his right paw. "Melody told me you were having trouble with this decision, and it makes total sense why."
"What? Really? Who all did she tell?" Kieren asked. He let a hint of worry escape from his tongue.
"Just me, after I told her that I was trying to find you." That was a relief to Kieren. The last thing he needed was his tribe to know that he was struggling on a decision most make years before their Evelescence Ceremony. Silence ensued.
"Decisions suck," Kieren groaned.
"And we're going to do something about that," Trent responded with a grin.
Kieren was thunderstruck. Could Trent have really cooked up another one of his crazy plans even under these circumstances?
"What do you suppose we do?" Kieren asked, curious, albeit slightly skeptical.
"Ask the Lapras," Trent answered. Kieren was dumbfounded. He had completely forgotten about the Lapras of the Lake. They would surely have the wisdom to help him make the tough decision, and if not, they would at least know what he should do to make the best of things. Kieren nodded at his cousin and smiled, expressing his temporary comfort and hope.
As the two of them walked, Kieren's mind raced in wonder as to what the Lapras might say. Would they tell him to be a jolteon like Celestia and Boran? Should he be a flareon like Trent, whom he had grown up with? Strangely enough, Kieren couldn't think of a single reason to be a vaporeon. Perhaps that meant progress?
They had reached the lake's edge where a buoy floated close to shore.
"Ready?" Trent asked. Kieren nodded the go-ahead. Trent did not hesitate in making a small black ball appear before himself. A second later, he hurled it at the buoy, causing the buoy to rock back and forth like the remains of a willow vine after a piece snapped off. Trent was almost surely on the disconnected ends of those broken vines.
Kieren was broken from thought as a large creature emerged from the lake. It was Drake, the second-youngest of the Lapras of the Lake. He was still in his youth, and was very good friends with Kieren and Trent.
"What's up, guys?" Drake greeted in his typical youth fashion.
"How's it going Drake?" Trent responded.
"Smooth as slippery ice," Drake cooed. "What brings you two here? And Kieren. Why are you so mellow?"
"The ceremony is tonight, and Kieren still hasn't decided what to become," Trent answered for his cousin.
"We were wondering if your family could help," Kieren added shyly.
"No problem," Drake responded merrily. "And no need to be shy. Our family has recently been discussing if we were still of any use to your tribe. It's great to know our wisdom's still treasured. Be right back."
"That's a good start," said Trent after Drake disappeared back into the depths of the lake.
Kieren nodded and returned to his thoughts.
"You'll have to thank Melody. She came up with the idea."
Kieren nodded again in acknowledgement. Figures. Melody's plans were more…uh…practical. Not that Trent was a bad schemer, in fact his crazy concoctions worked more often than not. But his plans were still pretty crazy and out there.
A couple of broken willow branches and a bruised Trent later, Drake returned along with another lapras. This new lapras was slightly darker in color and much taller.
"Good evening Kieren," she greeted.
"This is my mother, Tara," Drake informed the two eevee.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Tara," Kieren bowed.
"Drake told me everything, and if I remember correctly, you are to be Boran's successor as part of the Lunar family line, correct?"
"Uh huh," Kieren answered timidly.
"Don't be shy, Kieren. I was once as wild as Drake is, and grew up with Celestia. She tells me everything. We Lapras may be wise, but we are in no way formal."
Kieren nodded, regaining his composure.
"So Kieren, the Evelescence Ceremony is tonight, and you do not know what to evolve into, correct?"
"Yes," Kieren answered.
"Why do you feel you must evolve?"
"Because I don't want to follow my father's wretched footsteps. I must be the leader he failed to be," Kieren spoke with confident determination.
"You have great aspirations, Kieren," said Tara pleased.
"Thanks Tara." Kieren replied humbly.
"Sadly though, it is too late for me to help you decide, as the ceremony begins in less than an hour. However, if you follow my instructions, you should be able to reach your goals. Are you ready?"
Kieren nodded. Nobody else knew it, but Tara's words had just sent him through an emotional roller coaster in the matter of seconds.
"Great. First, try to enjoy the ceremony, after all, you are ready to evolve. You have made it this far, and that is quite an accomplishment." Kieren glanced over at Trent, who held out his paw for a fist bump. Kieren smiled and returned the gesture. "Second, when the time comes to make the decision, tell Celestia the truth, that you still have not decided. Finally, find Zach, the warden's son. He will know what to do. Good Luck," she said. She and Drake disappeared under the water's surface as the two eevee thanked them.
"Let's Go! The Ceremony's about to start!" Trent told Kieren.
They hurried along, but there was only one thing on Kieren's mind:
Who was Zach?
Author's Notes: I hope you enjoyed the characters! It certainly won't be the last time you see them! We're almost through with the short chapters! Don't forget to specify which chapter you want updated in your review! I will do my best to get it up in a timely manner! Enjoy the next chapters! ~Dreaming I'm Latios