"Good morning, hooligan!" I opened my eyes to see two sharp yellow ones gazing back at me, and I yelped from surprise, jumping back. Mandite chuckled; right now, he was hanging from a precarious vantage point from the ceiling of the cliff overhanging me. He kept his cape neatly wrapped around his body to keep it from unraveling and hanging upside down along with him.
"'Bout time you woke up," he snickered, his eyes glowing in the early morning darkness, "what did you do after I fell asleep, party?" I groaned and touched my head, thinking. I couldn't fall asleep the night before, after Aurora had said good night; I was sifting through my thoughts too long and too deeply once again, and it had taken its toll.
"No," I said, "it's just..."
"Well hurry up, it's nearly sunrise! You have to get up and at 'em!" I watched him flip over in the air, and land neatly on the ground. Hopefully, the morning light will come soon, and Mandite's will once again be green – right now, luminescent, yellow ovals bobbed up and down, sometimes frightening me.
"AAAAAAAUROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Mandite had hopped over by Aurora and yelled into her ear. The lucario bolted upright, her eyes flung open wide and fur standing on end. Mandite cackled, and Aurora glared back, not appreciating the sudden wake-up call too much. She rubbed the side of her head, wincing.
"Mandite," she growled, "don't do that!" Mandite sighed, smiling in the dark.
"Why not?" he replied, walking away to put on his armor, "It's funny!"
"It is not funny!" Aurora huffed. Mandite, who was settling a shoulder plate on himself, looked up, his eyes tilted sadly.
"You're right, Aurora," he sighed, his eyes suddenly flashing pink, "it's hilarious!" Mandite snickered as Aurora sighed with exasperation, fitting his mask neatly onto his face, reassuringly tapping it. I chuckled, and got to my feet. The sun was breaking over the sharp horizon, made lofty by the snow-capped peaks of the mountains. The white snow was turning a soft, gold hue as the bright disc slowly made its way, climbing the rocky slopes.
"Sunrise already?" Mandite gasped, "We have to get going!" I knew we were in a tight situation, with an anonymous danger lurking behind us, but so soon?
"Why are you in such a hurry?" I asked. Mandite, who had been busy fixing his mask into a comfortable fit, turned around, his yellow eyes flashing.
"I dunno," he said, quickly, "I just have this bad feeling about that thing over there." He pointed to somewhere behind me. I turned around to see what threat he mentioned, and instead of seeing a pokemon as I expected, I saw a large boulder. Its wobbly perch upon a rather small pillar of rock made me uneasy.
"I see it budging a bit," Mandite said, squinting slightly, "c'mon, before that thing squishes us to paper." Mandite, Aurora and I hurried along, keeping a wary eye on the rock.
Once we were safely away from the danger zone, we slowed our paces, and began to look for hints of a portal, scouring the rocky terrain for a glint of gold, or strong energy signatures. Climbing over craggy cliff sides, I thought about the location of our final destination. The final destination would be the last place to look, but exactly where? I squinted, watching the clouds overhead cast great shadows along the sides of the mountain. How far will this journey take us? How long will it take to finish it? What will happen in the end? So many questions and more, none of which I do not know an answer to, yet. I only hope that they would be answered before it was too late – whenever that is.
I decided that I will have some of the more important questions determined now. I headed back down to the small, barely-worn path, where Mandite was studying a map. The shards of loose stone clattered, falling down towards the bottom, where they will lay still until the next, daunting traveler to disturb. I walked in front of Mandite, and watched him study his map for a few seconds, thinking the question over.
"Mandite?" I asked. Mandite lowered his map so only the top of his eyes peered over the brim with a questioning look.
"Don't tell me you want a fortune cookie," he muttered.
"I am not," I chuckled, "I just want to know how far are we going to find a portal, exactly?" Mandite lowered the map farther, and tapped the side of his mask thoughtfully.
"Hmm," he said, "how far do you think we should go?" At this point, I was shocked and perplexed by this statement. Was he not the expert on portals and other-world transportation and crossings?
"Mandite," I said earnestly, "you do realize that I am rather unfamiliar about the subject of portals, do you?" Mandite held his map up to his face again.
"Nope," he said nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes, knowing that he was only joking. The little blue warrior folded the map, neatly creasing it into even segments before tucking it away in his backpack. He looked up at me, his yellow eyes flashing.
"You do realize that you know more about this place than I do," he said, "do you?" Mandite did have a point – this is my homeland, so I knew what was the common road, and what was the path less traveled by. With this knowledge, I was the one who was granted the decision where to end this journey. Despite this "honor", I felt rather nervous. I did not want this honor, in fact – I may decide to take the wrong route, or pick the wrong place to end our voyage. This responsibility was nerving me, and yet, it must be done. Thinking back to my conversation with Aurora last night, I remembered I promised I would take her to the place where I have grown, and show her around. Since there was no time to let her tour the seashore after the journey was over due to the fact we have failed and no longer lived, or she returned to Zhoke, or Mandite had safely returned home, I decided the best way to fulfill my promise to my friend, and love, was to make the coast the end of the journey. I sighed heavily – I only hope that it was a good decision.
"Mandite," I called to him. Mandite, who had busied himself with a cookie, slipping the sweet delight into the slit of his mask, looked up to the sound of his name.
"What?" he asked, his voice somewhat muffled by his cookie, "Oh, excuse me." Mandite swallowed, and coughed, minding his manners.
"What?" he asked again.
"I think I have an idea for the final destination," I said, and Mandite gave a sideways glance, his arms folded.
"You think, or you know?" he asked me. I hesitated answering this question.
"I think, I suppose," I answered, not sure of myself. Mandite exhaled sharply, and turned away from me.
"Then I don't wanna hear it," he said, trying his best to stick his nonexistent nose into the air. I could only chuckle, knowing the answer he demanded.
"Fine, I know where the final destination is," Mandite turned around, his eyes flashing a blue-white color before fading back to yellow.
"That's much better," he said, obviously satisfied, and rubbed his hands together.
"So," Mandite said, "what wondrous lala-land are we going to?" I chuckled to myself – Mandite had a way to make talk interesting.
"We are going to the western seaside of Sinnoh, where I grew up." I said.
"Oh," Mandite said, nodding, "that lala-land – nice choice." I was not too sure whether or not Mandite was being sarcastic or not – he usually made his sarcasm obvious, but he is using silly terms for a serious situation. But then again, he is the typical person who compares his eyes to bananas while under attack. Mandite, at this moment, seemed to realize why I was being so silent.
"I really meant it, you know," he said, raising his hands, "as I said, portals can be found in or around water – plus, I always take portals by the beach." I nodded in response.
"Well," Mandite said, looking at me from top to bottom, and then back to top, "you're gonna have to lead the way; I don't know where the heck your little Bahamas are."
"Bahamas?" I asked, not understanding.
"Never mind," Mandite said, waving his hand to dismiss the subject before hoisting his backpack onto his head. By now, Aurora was making her way towards us. Mandite turned, facing her, the stray straps on his backpack swinging over his yellow eyes.
"Found anything?" he called out, and Aurora shook her head.
"Only rocks," she replied, skidding down a smooth face of rock before trotting to a stop in front of us. Mandite looked at me, and then back at Aurora.
"Well," he said, "Lucario made a brilliant decision, today," Aurora looked up at me, her eyebrow raised, mouth curved in half-smile position.
"Oh really," she said, "what?"
"He said we should go to the beach!" Mandite said happily, flapping his arms. Aurora, who was watching Mandite, looked up at me, her eyes brightening.
"You mean we get to see where you grew up?" she asked. I smiled, knowing that's what she wanted, and knowing that I am granting that wish.
"Yepsters!" Mandite answered for me, and Aurora broke out into her full, broad, beautiful smile. My heart stirred at the sight of it, rustling its tattered wings in pleasure. I stood there, smiling back, and watching the fire in her eyes dance wildly in her magenta eyes.
"Um," Mandite interrupted, shifting awkwardly on his feet, "staring deeply into each other's eyes is not get us anywhere, just to let you guys know." I blinked, and turned away. I really did not intend for that to happen, but it did. My face was getting warm, and silently, I pushed my way to the front of the two, and walked on, doing my best to remember the path that led me home. But as I thought, I couldn't help but drift to the thought of Aurora, and her being here with me – I mean us. Truthfully, I think I should let go of Aurora, and break away from her to avoid anymore of the pain I have been inflicting myself ever since she fell for Zhoke. What is the point of loving someone when that special person loves another that loves her in return? It's hopeless, and stupid. Maybe, one day, another special somebody would come along who would love me, and I would love her – maybe. I cannot go on in this hopeless situation anymore. As I said, it's stupid. Walking along, kicking a stray stone from my path, I thought long and deep about whether or not I should just stop this madness over Aurora. The two behind me never seemed to notice my silence, for they were discussing something. In fact, the two were earnestly whispering behind my back, sometimes glancing up at me and nodding before whispering again. What were they doing? Were they plotting something against me? I growled underneath my breath – couldn't I trust anyone these days? I should have left Aurora in the first place eight years ago, and I would have been perfectly fine. I was stupid to let anyone be that close to me.
Looking up at the sun overhead, it reminded me of a long, distant memory of when I was a riolu. Like that day, today was deep into summer, and the sun seemed to hang endlessly overhead. That day was important, but I couldn't exactly remember what was it. I was about to turn around and ask Aurora, knowing that she kept important dates in mind when I remembered I was to loose my loving bond with her, so I didn't ask. I kept trekking on, looking for any sight of a portal, walking on in silence while listening to the two behind me.
When it was time to break for lunch, it was high in the mountains, away from the shade of the trees. The rocks and stones, baked by the relentless sun, were scorching hot, so I stood away from the two, keeping distance and eating nothing. Now, I did not want to do anything with them. However, being very observant, Mandite noticed the distance between us. He nudged Aurora in the side, and gestured towards me, in which she stood up, and started to walk. I turned away, my arms folded, gazing out at the landscape. I heard Aurora's footsteps stop behind me.
"Lucario," she said, trying to get my attention, but I stubbornly kept my vigil. I heard her sigh, and touch me gently on the shoulder.
"I don't know what's wrong with you today," she said, "but I just want to wish you a happy birthday – we both do." And she pressed her cheek against mine, which was slightly damp from what I smelled was a teardrop, and left. I blinked, and felt tears pushing against the edges of my eyes. Somehow, I can't let go of Aurora, no matter how much I try. I felt as though I had been very rude to her, not answering her at all. Did I hurt her feelings? I turned my head around to look at the two, eating together. I sighed – how am I going to deal with this? Apology was hard to come by for me, but I guess it's better than trying to deal with my painful solitude. I realized that I needed social support more than ever, if I am to deal with my emotional instability, and the responsibility of bringing Mandite home. The longer I wait, the more awkward and fractured the bonds between me and the other two will become. I could not bear it any longer, so I found myself walking up to them. Mandite and Aurora turned to me, and looked on silently. Aurora only looked up expressionless, but Mandite gave me chills; he sat there, glaring up at me, his mask creating a very threatening appearance for his rather stiff body. Was he angry with me? He may be a seven year old, but it is easy to forget about that when he had his mask one, and when he is looking at me like that. Mandite huffed, and continued to glare at me, his eyes boring deep into my skull. This feeling was nerving me greatly, so I decided to end it as quickly as I could and see the results for myself.
"I just want to say I am sorry, for showing a cold shoulder as oppose to what I should do as a friend." I began, my voice wavering as I looked on at the two, "I guess I was just suffering emotional difficulties."
"But I realize that I shouldn't pass on my hardships to you guys, because I am the only one who should be suffering – not you two." I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes.
"Now I realize that I need the companionship of friends more than ever, to deal with this pain and the stresses of bringing Mandite safely home. It was wrong of me to shun you two away, especially you, Aurora," I had opened my eyes to look at her own, "you have been my best friend ever since I found you so many years ago." I felt tears coming back to my eyes, and I closed them, forcing them away.
"I am sorry," I said, and opened my eyes, to see they're response. Aurora looked like she was about to cry. Mandite, however, gave a deep sigh, shifting in his seat.
"Well," he said in the silence, "I thought you were gonna ask for a cookie instead." And we broke out into laughter.
~*~
It was later in the evening, when we decided we were done searching for today. Instead of resting as we usually did, Mandite insisted that we must have some sort of birthday celebration for me, which was the important event that I had forgotten about earlier.
"I am going to make you a cake!" Mandite declared happily, "It will be a glorious cake!" He had taken off his armor at that point, and was waving his wings rapidly in the air from sheer excitement. Our encampment was posted by a mountain spring, its waters providing clear, cold water that quenched our thirst. Mandite started to march around in it, kicking up water in sprays of utter delight. I stood in front of the fire, warily watching Mandite marching jauntily, proclaiming to make a stupendous cake, but without actually settling down to make one. I chuckled to myself; children can be rather funny at times. I felt a gentle nudge at my side, and I turned to look at Aurora, who was smiling up at me, hands behind her back.
"It's not really that much," she said, pulling a broken fortune cookie from behind her back, "but I couldn't find anything else." She placed the little gift in my paw and used hers to close mine around it. I looked down at my paw, holding my present, and up at her.
"You don't need to give me anything, Aurora," I said, smiling. All I really needed was for her just to be there in my presence, that's all. She smiled back, rocking on her feet slightly. Knowing that she was expecting me to open the her little gift, I opened my paw and began tore through the plastic wrappings. I pulled the two halves of the cookie, and offered Aurora one.
"I can't take your present," she said, shaking her head.
"I find it better to share my present with someone," I said smiling, and placed the half in her paws. She looked at it, guilt washing around in her eyes.
"Go on," I insisted, and Aurora brought it to her mouth, and took a bite. She smiled herself, closing her eyes. Looking back at my half of the cookie, with it's slip of paper hanging from it, I realized how easy it was to be comfortable and loving with Aurora. But I can't let that happen. I pulled the paper from the cookie, and realized there were two. I read the first one.
Good choice today – we think alike.
I had a feeling it was the same person who wrote the other fortune, but at least I was on good terms now – I hope. I read the second one.
I heard it was your birthday today! Happy birthday, Lucario! =D
~ Jirachi
This one I was more amazed with – I have received a personal greeting from a legendary pokemon! I smiled and gave it to Aurora to read.
"Wow," she said, after looking at that slip of paper, "you are one lucky guy." She gave me a quick smile before casting her eyes off to the side, sadly.
"I guess you don't need my present anymore, now that you have that." she said wearily. I raised my eyebrows, and shook my head.
"Aurora," I said softly, using a gentle paw to tilt her chin to look at me, "No one gives better presents than you do."
"What about me?!" I heard Mandite from the spring, exaggerating the sound of a broken hearted soul. I chuckled.
"You too, Mandite," and Mandite, being pleased with my answer, went off to splash around in the water some more. Aurora laughed, shaking her head, and sat down. I sat down beside her, popping my half of the cookie in my mouth. Now that Mandite has moved far enough away from the fire to present no harm, I did not have to worry as much. Aurora rubbed her arms, and looked up at the sky.
"It's funny," she said, "I can act like myself around you two but I cannot around Zhoke." I felt surprised, stopping the chewing of my cookie, and looked up at Aurora with disbelief, who smiled bashfully.
"I have to be careful of what I say or do around him," she said, "he gets offended pretty easily, and his temper is as hot as his fire." I nodded, understanding her situation with Zhoke. Aurora shook her head and laid it upon the tops of her knees, smiling.
"I love Zhoke, don't get me wrong," she said, "but sometimes it's nice to be yourself again, and to be with your friends." she looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. I tried to smile, but my internal pain kept me from doing so. I closed my eyes, and sighed. Aurora sat up.
"Lucario," she asked, "what's wrong?" I opened my eyes and looked at her, the moment of intense pain passing.
"It's nothing for you to be concerned about, Aurora," I said, trying my best to smile. Aurora frowned.
"Lucario," she said softly, "I'm your friend, you can tell me." I blinked; she doesn't know that this was about her instead of someone else – I can't tell her. I shook my head.
"Aurora," I said slowly, "it's better for you not to know."
"Are you keeping a secret from me?" she asked.
"Secrets are only fun when they're shared with everyone!" I heard Mandite call from the water's edge. I did not look up to see what he was doing. Somehow, he could hear me talking softly while he was far enough from us to be out of his hearing range, but I know that Mandite could lip-read at farther distances. I closed my mouth tight.
[Aurora,] I told her telepathically, [my secrets are not meant for your ears.]
[Why not?] she asked me. I sighed.
[They just don't, all right?] I said, [They are filled with pain, suffering, and loneliness, and I don't want you to feel the same way.] Aurora looked at me with one of her heartbreaking gazes.
[I never knew you felt that way,] she said, her eyes widening, [Lucario... I... I am sorry I never realized until now. Are you going to get any better?] Was I? At this rate, it looks like I'll never recover from heartbreak, but I don't want Aurora to worry.
[I hope so,] I answered, [it just takes time.] Aurora nodded, breathing deeply.
[Would you... would you like a hug?] she asked me.
[A what?]
[A hug,] Aurora replied softly. I blinked in surprise.
[Oh,] I said, [I don't know...] But Aurora had already wrapped her arms around me, and pressed her muzzle gently underneath my chin. Surprised by this gesture, I felt myself do nothing except blush. I was embarrassed slightly, but it was a form of comfort, which I needed now. Thinking back on the nigh before, I smiled and stroked Aurora's arm once to get her attention. She looked up.
[Are you still glad that Zhoke isn't here right now?] Aurora grinned.
[He would be furious with me,] she said, [but I felt that you needed a hug.] She closed her eyes and leaned her head against my shoulder. Looking down on her, I think Aurora herself needed a hug, too. Here she was, alone and pining for her lover far away, missing his company. Understanding this need, I allowed her to rest there, against me, until she decided to let go. I patted her back with a paw, looking up at the stars. It was funny how we were so close, sitting here with each other comfortably, and yet so far away. We could never be together again, I know that – but for now, I enjoyed this moment, sitting here with Aurora like how I wished things could be.
"HEY!" We both looked up to the sudden shout of Mandite on the other side of the spring. He was jumping and waving, gesturing us to come over to where he was. Reluctantly, I let the arm wrapped around Aurora fall to my side, and stood up. I helped Aurora to her feet, and then walked across a shallow stream to the other side, where Mandite was. Aurora followed in suit.
"Look what I made!" Mandite said gleefully. I looked down, and saw before me an array of stones and pebbles in the formation of some sort of cake with candles on top. At the tip of every candle was a small campfire, seventeen groups of flames in total.
"Make a wish," he said, and I looked at him, not understanding his birthday traditions. Mandite realized this, and rolled his eyes.
"You're supposed to blow them out," he said, "go on," Hesitantly, I went up to one of the lit piles of twigs. I am not sure if I could blow this out so easily, but I bent down, and blew on it gently. The flames only wavered slightly. I looked around at the other sixteen fires, and sighed. This was going to take a while.
Suddenly, I felt a could surge hit my back, and all of the flames were doused out by cold spring water. I stood up, and turned around, my fur dripping. Mandite, who was holding his cape, standing by the spring, jumped back slightly.
"I just thought that might help – a bit." he said, blinking. I snorted, and shook my head.
What a day this has been.
Well, here is chapter 12, finally! I am REALLY sorry for the long wait - I had a writer's block. I hope this is good enough for you guys.
Rate and Review, as always! ^^ Thanks!
~KOOZ