For once, I wanted to wake up before Mandite did, for several reasons.
The stranger reasons for waking up so early was to actually try and wake up before he did. Then I wanted to see when he would wake up. I condemn myself a strange and befuddled soul.
And then there was the other reason – I wanted to prepare myself for what I had to say today. Today, I'm actually going to tell Aurora the whole three words... I hope. I woke up early to prepare myself emotionally, but I guess that's nothing compared to the real deal.
So I did awaken, and to my dismay, I saw the place where Mandite had slept was empty. I wonder where he could have went. Aurora was laying peacefully beside me. Quietly, I left her, knowing that this was among the most remote parts of Sinnoh – she'll be fine.
I traveled back to where we had been sitting yesterday, and sat upon the rock, gazing around at the dark sky, twinkling with stars. I relished the sight of the moon hanging low over the sea. It was so nice; but soon dawn will approach and Aurora will waken. I must be calm, and I must stay that way.
I didn't say anything at all. I didn't think about a long speech to drone on about, nor I didn't practice saying "I love you". I can speak, so I felt I didn't have to practice like that. I find it a little silly, in fact.
Instead, I raised my arms over my head in a straight line, perpendicular to the ground. Then I folded them across my chest, just below my spike, and raised a foot to my knee. How I would prepare myself for that moment, when it comes, is through thai chi.
As I moved my body slowly about, my breathing calm, and my mind clear, I thought about why I should stick my neck out and dare to confess my feelings for Aurora. Something told me yesterday she loved me, too. She had kissed me, which made it more obvious to me. I remembered Mandite saying that she did care for me – he was an observant individual; maybe he is right about that.
But then she loved Zhoke, didn't she? Didn't she say that the only male for her was him? My heart used its wings to cuff the pessimistic thinking from my mind. Things change, like the tide – could it have changed for us? Ah, the fear of being rejected squeezes my newly born heart with anxiety. It would hurt me, my pride, and our relationship if she didn't return my love. How would she think of me then?
If I don't say anything though, my chance may slip away – for good this time. I had to do it, even if I risk my pride. I want her to know that I love her, and I would be there for her.
The wind blowing from the ocean filled my lungs, making my head clear. Keeping my eyes closed and my conscience open, I gradually made my way through several poses with ease and comfort.
Does Aurora love me? I guess I'll learn soon, but I can't get anxious now. I must remain calm.
For some reason, Aurora had woken up early, and she was calling out for me, startling my senses. My eyes flung open, and saw her running towards me.
"Lucario, Lucario!" she cried out. I could only think of one thing.
"What happened?" I shouted back. She continued to run until she stopped within several feet from me. Looking at her face, she looked bewildered, but extremely happy. This startled me – what was it? Did Mandite find the portal? Did Dhenalix's egg hatch? Aurora panted, catching her breath.
"Aurora!" I heard a strong, vaguely familiar voice call out from behind her. My heart sank. No... No... How did he find us? How?
"Just give me a minute, Zhoke!" Aurora pleaded, and the blaziken sighed impatiently, ruffling his feathers. My heart sank down so low, ready to be trampled by the tall, rough Zhoke. My breath started to stagger, and I began to shake. I knew Aurora was going to leave – today.
"Zhoke just asked me to marry him and be his mate!" Aurora announced to me joyfully. I blinked, feeling as though I was in a nightmare.
"Erm... Congratulations," I muttered, lowering my eyes, unable to hold back my sadness. Aurora noticed, and touched my shoulder gently.
"What's wrong?" she whispered. I didn't want Zhoke to hear what I had to say.
[I thought he cheated on you,] I said, [how can you go off and be his mate when he loves another?!] Aurora seemed appalled at first and then replied,
[He told me that he would stop cheating on me when I asked him about it,] Aurora stepped away from me, and looked at me with a steady gaze. I looked up, recovering my senses, almost as my body was conducted by artificial intelligence. In the background, I could see Zhoke, smirking. I glared at him.
"Lucario," Aurora said, smiling sadly, "you have been the best friend I have ever had, and I am glad to have been." It seemed that the pair were mocking at my despair and yet another heartbreak, my poor, newly reborn heart suffering a huge blow. But my facial muscles remained hard and stern. Aurora's smile faltered, seeing my expression.
"You'll miss me, right?" she asked, timidly, tilting her head. I gazed at her, my eyes cold.
[More than you'll ever know,] I said softly, and turned away, closing my eyes. I felt my feet move, transporting me far from the pair, in all my anguish.
[Lucario, wait!] I heard her voice in my head. Why should I care? I continued to walk away. From behind me, I heard Zhoke say,
"Leave him alone – come now, Aurora my love; my master is waiting for us." I heard the two walk away, their feet heavy in the sand. Meanwhile, I had stopped in my tracks, staring at the surf, each wave washing upon the shore. I listened to the ocean, its song indifferent and calming. Just on the horizon, the sun rose into the sky in soft pastel colors, the sky melting into the sea like harmony, as if they were holding hands. It was the most beautiful sunrise I had every seen. In the distance, I saw milotic frolic at the surface, and wingull flap by lazily. All of them, everything else, was having a perfect day. Ironic.
Sitting down on the smooth stone in the same place where I sat yesterday, I stared into the ocean. This wasn't fair – it's almost like a curse. I wonder how Sir Aaron's lucario's family felt when he disappeared forever. They must have been devastated, as the world around them celebrated the peace and savior from a civil war. Now, as a descendant, I sit here in despair and sorrow as the world around me lived cheerfully. Maybe Aurora and Zhoke took Mandite along with them, and left me behind. That must be it.
I expected myself to start crying, something I hadn't done since I was a young riolu. But, I felt not a tear welling up in my eye; instead, I felt anger. Intense anger. Why must I be the unlucky one? It had to be me, didn't it? I stood up, breathing deeply. Zhoke had to come along and take Aurora's love, didn't he? I bet destiny decided that it would just play fun with me, and make me miserable as the world lived on happily. It had to be me.
The fury inside me from my loss built up so greatly, I yelled, and conjured up an aura sphere, shooting it into the water. The surface exploded with silt, saltwater, and traces of my aura. I threw another one, causing another large explosion. Somehow, I found pleasure taking out my anger, wanting to blast anything that came in my way. I gasped for breath, clenching my fists.
Then, I threw back my head and cried out in anguish, loosing my mind to my fury and sorrow, blasting my surroundings with aura spheres, a voice screaming inside me, "WHY ME?!" I ran – I ran away as far as I could, sending towers of sand shooting into the air around me. I rendered another aura sphere, and slammed it into a stray tree. The wood splintered before the raw energy, and fell in two. I kept running.
I found a peaceful grove – it wasn't peaceful for long. Trees fell before me, in showers of wood splinters, leaves, and dirt. The air was trickling with my aura, so much used in the destruction of a sanctuary. Did I care?
Not one bit. I yelled again, and moved onward. Aurora – you had to leave me, didn't you? You had to deceive me, making me believe that you loved me, didn't you? And then you would bring Zhoke here and come tell me right in front of him that you were going away, right when I was about to say I loved you. I loved you! Why must you tear at me?!
"WHY?!" I cried, throwing an aura sphere into a rocky outcropping, the strength of it causing it to break into oblivion. I let the shards of stone rip at me – I didn't care. I kept running, running. I kept running to run from my sadness and anger, running fast and swift, leaving a trail of destruction behind me. Rendering another aura sphere, I prepared to cut down a great tree, so that it would feel my anguish too. I conjured a large aura sphere, ready to do the job quickly. My mind seethed, ready to feel the satisfaction of major devastation.
I shot it forward, watching it as it blazed over the soil bright blue. I was ready for the sickly satisfying crack of it breaking wood fibers. I was ready.
But something small, fast, and with a shining face lunged before the tree with a brilliant flash of light, and then the aura sphere shot off to the left, crashing into the ground.
"Stop this madness, Lucario!" I heard a voice call out to me. Before me, as dirt showered around him, his cape waving in the wind, his yellow eyes glaring as though they could see through me, his mask gleaming, holding a pronged, golden blade with two gloved hands, was Mandite.
Suddenly, something broke within me, filling me with a sense of helplessness, the sight of the standing figure of my friend wrenched me into sanity. Instead of quipping in a playful voice, "you dimwit!" or, "you nut head!", he waved a gloved hand him in a gesture to look around.
"Behold," he said, in a dark voice. Slowly, as I turned in a circle, I saw the devastated land blown apart, still engulfed with aura – where there was once life, I saw despair and death. Seeing what I've done, I felt the breath squeezed from my lungs, and my knees gave way. I collapsed, kneeling before the world.
What have I done?
I felt my eyes become crowded with moisture. No, don't cry – the world would see you're weak. But there wasn't anyone around except for Mandite, gazing upon me with a scathing glare. Moisture continued to collect in my eyes.
The moisture became so thick that it fell, forming into the slim shape of a teardrop. As I watched it fall, I made silently sent out my sorrow.
A tear for those who had suffered because of me.
Another tear fell for the shame for what I have done.
A third tear followed for Aurora. Aurora... All those memories, joy, regret, sadness, and laughter – there were so many passing before me. Her smile, her eyes, her kiss – I could imagine that day, that one beautiful sunset. I could see her, I could almost reach out and touch her. I held my arm out, hoping to feel her soft fur.
I found empty space.
And then I couldn't hold my tears anymore.
~*~
Once I had found the strength to talk, I told Mandite everything. He listened, quietly sitting and observing me from underneath his mask. I told him, pouring all my anguish and sorrow, all my despair. I cried between sentences, unable to continue on with my ranting until I regained control again. And as I told him, all the precious memories ran before my eyes, causing more tears to fall.
"Calm yourself," the little warrior said, "it's not going to be that bad." My mind was growing numb from the pain the heartbreak brought. Blankly, I stared at the young Mandite – what does he know about loss, about suffering, and about love? He never loved another like I loved Aurora. He never loss anybody he cared for – how can he understand that this was terrible. How can he toss it aside and say it was okay?
"Well, are you going to mope here all day?" he said, standing up on the smooth stone, "You can't give up on her, you know – you love Aurora, and she loves you!" I blinked hard, not believing a word he said. If Aurora really did love me, then she would have stayed. Suddenly, I remembered her soft touch, the gentle rasp of her tongue against my cheek. I could feel it, as if she was still there. My breathing tightened, thinking about that one perfect moment; I lifted my paw to touch that very spot, damp from my tears. I will never forget.
"Dude, it's not like that she doesn't hold at least some kind of affection at all," Mandite snapped impatiently, "I mean, c'mon – you two have traveled together for like nine years and you're her best friend. You taught her everything, you saved her life, and were very compassionate with her. Even if she lived to be a thousand years old, she would still love you and recall that she kissed you on the cheek once." I felt my face burn.
"You saw that?" I asked weakly.
"Well, what else is there to see - the sand?" Mandite scoffed, "That proves she does have some feelings for you, 'cuz you don't see people around here smooching at first glance." I sighed, thinking back to what Mandite had said earlier. Did she really love me? But she possibly couldn't have; she ran off with that blaziken. I looked helplessly at Mandite – he could easily read emotions, so did he know?
"Did Aurora... Love me?" I asked, my voice incredibly soft, so vulnerable sounding. I remember the night I had rescued her from the flash flood, when I first realized that I loved her. I remember her head resting gently against me, her body curled in my lap, as I cradled her in my arms. That night I was afraid I had lost her then. But today, she was gone.
"It's not a lost cause," I looked back up at Mandite, "the wedding is being held at a little town not so far from here – we can go there and get you to Aurora somehow, and then you can tell her your stuff." I shook my head fiercely, my heart pounding. It would be rude to barge into their party. She would think I'm crazy – everybody would. Besides, she didn't love me. It would be a vain attempt, a silly attempt. Why would I interrupt her special day just to say "I love you"? That was a pointless, silly idea... I glanced up at Mandite, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits, which startled me.
"Okay, let's cut the crap," he said sharply, with a whip-lashing tongue, "You may think I don't understand you situation, but I know perfectly well I have lost someone." Mandite huffed, glad to have my attention, before continuing,
"Uncle Tally always had cared for me. He always told me stories at night – my favorite one was the Three Swords of Time. He had one of them himself." Mandite pulled out Galaxia, its deadly glory hidden by its sheath, examining it sadly.
"This is also one of them," he touched the blade, "I left the house to find it, a quest no one has ever returned from alive. But I did it." He said, with a shaking breath.
"I couldn't wait to return home and show him, the wish of my childhood dreams. He would be so proud of me, and would pat me on the back crying out, "you've done it, mah boi!" like he always had. The road to get this sword had been hard, with more than plenty of nightmarish creatures and deaths to face. I was young, and wanted to be with my uncle, the only one who had taken me in with loving arms." Mandite shuddered, to my surprise.
"But when I opened the door, all I found was a good inch of dust on every surface. Not a broadly smiling uncle, not even an annoyed comment." he said, in a trembling voice, "I called for him all over the house – I couldn't believe that he was gone. I was alone with the empty air, and my footprints in the dust." Mandite paused, our eyes meeting. I was dumbfounded – so, when Mandite went to his world, he wouldn't have his uncle to welcome him back. Mandite, blinking, coughed and continued.
"I spent months looking for him throughout the universe, but now I realize my world was too big and Uncle Tally was gone so long that... That he may have died already. Bruno may have killed him by now."
"Before I left, Uncle Tally had been away at the library, so I left him a note that I was leaving on a quest." he said softly, "I never really got to say good bye to him. I never told him how much I appreciated his stories, his songs, his food – everything. And he may never know." The young warrior closed his eyes. The child was mischievous and playful, but he had his dark secrets, too. I thought how painful it would have been for him, to come back, tired but triumphant, only to find that the loving guardian had disappeared without a word. I looked to Mandite with a new understanding of him. He had opened his eyes again, which was blazing emerald green, like his uncle's.
"I didn't get a chance to say what I wanted to say," he said, the wind picking up his cape so that it billowed, "but you have that chance, Lucario. As I said earlier, Aurora is going to be nearby for a few days before she would have to move along with the migratory pokemon trainer."
"I'm going there – I didn't get to say good bye, nor give her what I needed to give her from Dialga." Mandite said firmly, "I learned full to well that leaving things such as a good bye unattended will haunt you for a lifetime. And who knows – maybe Aurora will come back with us."
"So, you can come with me to go see her – unless you want to stay here and loose Aurora forever." Mandite held out his gloved hand. I stared up at him, and he gazed down upon me. As I said, to barge into the ceremony unannounced, to pronounce one's love for the female was rude and embarrassing beyond belief. But, with the account of Mandite's tragic story, I wondered what life I could be missing. If Aurora did love me, and if I didn't go, then we would both miss the chance of a life together. Should I risk my neck and skin? Should I take the hand?
"Do you love Aurora?" Mandite asked finally, after some time. With that said, I took my paw and shook Mandite's hand firmly.
"I do."
I fail... This is too short and crappy... T_T
I beg for forgiveness from my readers for the poor work I've done.