Light's Adventures
Chapter 28: No Time for Relaxation
"Daddy!"
Light groggily opened his eyes to see a brown blur coming at him. Light coughed as the breath was driven from his body, the blur having jumped onto him. Light blinked his eyes again, chasing the sleep away.
"I didn't know you were back. When did you get here? What was it like? Did you get hurt? Can I go next time?" a voice asked him eagerly, the creature starting to bounce slightly on him.
Light laughed and slowly got up, giving her enough warning to get off his back. Rose came around and sat in front of him, her tail swishing around eagerly behind her. Once Light was fully up, Rose jumped at him and embraced him around the neck.
Light licked her forehead and put her down. "It's good to see you, too, Rose. Have you been good?" Light asked playfully.
"She's been very good," Cream said, getting up beside him.
Rose beamed under the compliment. "Is Nick here?" Rose asked.
"Not yet. I went ahead and got here early," Light said.
"R-Rose?" a timid voice asked. Light glanced over and saw Patch's head come around the corner. He gasped as he saw Light. "You guys are back! Where's my dad?" Patch asked, coming into the room.
Light shook his head. "I came ahead. The others are getting here later today," he said.
"Oh," Patch said, his voice dropping in level.
Rose saw his disappointment and went over to him. "Come on, let's go play," she said, darting away once she was done.
Patch seemed to instantly feel better and chased after Rose, laughing as he went along.
Cream and Light chuckled. "Do you think, Cream? You've seen them together longer than I," Light said.
Cream laughed. "If you can't see it, you're blinder than a Zubat. Yes, I think they will," she said.
"Has Rose talked about evolution at all?" Light asked.
"Well, she says she doesn't want to be a Jolteon, Vaporeon, or Flareon. However, she hasn't said anything about the other evolutions," Cream answered. "However, Patch has made it clear what he wants to evolve into: a Leafeon."
Light chuckled. "Yes, but we're in Kanto. Eevee can only become Leafeon with the Moss Rock in Sinnoh."
"He does seem determined, though. He refuses listening about the other evolutions except when Rose talks," Cream said.
Light's stomach growled before he could reply.
"The same old Light," Cream laughed.
Light laughed with her and walked into the dining room. Nick's mother was just putting food into the bowls. She glanced and saw Light. "Oh, I didn't know you guys got here. How did you get in?"
Actually, I came ahead of the others. I unlocked the door with Psychic and came in, he informed her.
"Oh, I didn't know you could do that. Maybe we should get better locks. Oh! Let me get you some breakfast," she said.
Light waited until she filled his bowl and finished his breakfast eagerly, enjoying the refreshing taste of the fresh food compared to the dry food Nick brought when traveling. He felt much better after his stomach was contentedly full.
Light and Cream sat together on the bench as they used to, both relieved that he was finally back. Nick finally caught up and came down the path to the front door around noon. Nick brought them outside so everyone could meet Azul, as she couldn't fit inside the house.
"I glad you're feeling better, Light. I was hoping you weren't always a depressing Pokemon," Azul commented to Light, after all the introductions and greetings were over.
Cream frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Azul laughed. "An hour didn't go by when Light wasn't thinking about you and dragging his tail in sadness," she explained.
Light glanced back and was relieved to see that his tail was still normal. Cream pressed against him, smiling up at him. What are you looking at? she asked, their channel now open again.
My tail; I thought that it would have a cream tip by the time I got back, Light answered.
Cream giggled and nuzzled his side.
Light saw Patch running up to them and turned to meet him. Azul leaned down as to hear better.
"Azul, could you come translate for me?" Patch asked.
Azul smiled. "Sure," she said, happy to help.
Light and Cream followed them over to Nick. He was just finishing talking to his mother and was about to go in.
"Nick?" Patch asked.
Nick stopped and crouched down to make their conversation easier. "Yes, Patch?"
"I . . . I want to go to Sinnoh to become a Leafeon," Patch said.
Nick frowned and put on his thoughtful face. "That may be a problem as we're in Kanto, though," Nick said, pointing out the obvious.
"But you could take me on Ace," Patch said.
Nick grimaced and shook his head at his first experience at flying. "Well, see, I don't really like the flying experience and all. Last time I got sick and we were going only a short distance. Sinnoh is much farther," he explained.
Patch's demeanor fell. "Oh . . . okay," he said, his ears and tail drooping.
Nick reached out and started to pet Patch. "However, I think I may know a way to solve that," he said.
Patch ears perked up, waiting for his solution.
"See, I won't be able to go, but Light can since he is easily able to fight on his own and can easily lead you," Nick said.
Light lowered his ears and backed up a step.
Patch's demeanor rose again. "Really?" he asked. Before he got his answer, he turned to Light. "Light, will you? Please?"
"Err, only if Cream wants to and can come along," Light said. "How about it, Cream?" he asked.
"I'm up for it," she said, pressing against him.
Nick frowned. "Actually, I don't think Cream should go," he said. "The three of you might be too much and there also might not be enough space on his back."
Ace was perched nearby and had overheard the conversation. "I'll make room. There is no way I'm taking Light without Cream," he said, shaking slightly. "I know what he's like without her, and I'll make a way to take all three," he finished. Ace hopped off his perch and landed next to Light and Cream.
"Well, I guess if you think you can it's okay then," Nick said, scratching his head in thought. "Come on in, Light, and I'll show you a map of the regions. I'll need to teach you where you'll be going."
Light nodded and followed Nick in, Cream staying by his side. Nick took him to his room where he pulled out a large map and unrolled it on the bed. Nick showed him it and started to tell him what everything meant. Light's head swam with what he was saying. Even after all the explanations, the paper just seemed like blobs of color to him. How did humans expect to make sense of it? However, the trickiness of it all, at least for Light, was what interested Light. He actually liked the challenge of interpreting the map.
After a while, Nick thought Light knew enough and rolled the map up. He started to pull items out and put them on the bed. He put down seven Oran berries, a Pecha berry, and a Rawst berry along with three small packs. He put three berries in each pack.
"Here, you two and Patch will carry these. This way, if anything happens, you'll be okay. The Oran berries restore health and heal some wounds; the Pecha berry will heal any poison ailment; the Rawst berry will heal any burn," Nick informed them.
Light slipped his head through the strap of one of the packs. It fell against his chest, slightly tight around his neck. Cream slipped one on herself. It laid gently against her side, looser around her smaller neck. Light picked up the third in his mouth.
"Now, you can leave now, which Patch will probably want to. Just remember the directions I told you and you should be back in two or three days. And Light?" Nick asked.
Light tilted his head, wanting for him to continue.
"No stupid stunts," Nick said sternly, pointing a finger at him for emphases.
Light nodded, but didn't promise on purpose. If it would protect Cream, he would still do it.
"Come on; I'll go see you off," Nick said.
Light and Cream headed outside. Patch was nearly bouncing with excitement. Ace was grooming his feathers, ready to go. Light helped Patch to get his pack on. Patch was then given a hug and goodbye from both of his parents. Light and Cream embraced Rose tightly and Cream told her to listen and obey Blair. Rose then gave Patch and Ace a hug also.
Light helped Patch to get onto Ace. On Patch was on, he helped Cream get on and got on himself, putting Cream between him and Patch. Nick had been right as Ace's back was crowded as all three of them got on, but Light was sure each of them would be able to hold on.
Once they were all on, Ace let out his wings and leaned down. He gave a great leap and went sailing into the air. Ace gave a few flaps of his wings and was able to keep in the air. Once fully in the air, Ace was able to move much easier. Nick, Blaze, Blair, Rose, and Azul waved as Ace started to head north.
Soon, Nick's village was out of sight and no human objects obstructed the scenery for as far as they could see. Light enjoyed the trip much more than before now that Cream was next to him. Cream raised her head in joy as the wind ruffled the fur on her face and made her mane fly around. Light smiled as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the air.
After a while, Light noticed that Patch didn't seem to be happy, but rather forlorn. "Is something wrong, Patch? I thought you were going to be happy that we are finally headed for Sinnoh," Light said.
Patch started at his voice and looked over at him. "N-no, I'm f-fine," he said quickly, too quickly.
"I know something is wrong, Patch. What is it?" Light asked.
Patch sighed. "It's . . . it's Rose," he said quietly, his voice almost lost on the wind.
"What's wrong with her?" Light asked, worried for a second.
Patch's eyes widened slightly, though not much because of the wind rushing by. "No!" he exclaimed, as though the idea was ridiculous. "Err, I mean no, there's nothing wrong, it's just . . .," he said, sighing at the end.
"You like her, don't you?" Light asked, keeping an emotionless face on.
Patch blushed and looked at his paws. "Y-yeah," he said, his voice low again.
Light smiled. "So we were correct."
Patch looked at him surprised. "How did you know?"
Light chuckled. "By watching you, of course. So, what's wrong?" Light asked.
Patch's ears slightly went down. "Well, it's just that Rose hugged me, but then hugged Ace also. I . . . I don't know if she likes me back," he said.
"So what am I, then?" Ace asked suddenly.
"Oh, sorry," Patch said.
Light laughed. "So, what makes you think Rose doesn't like you?"
"She treats me the same as she does everyone," Patch said, looking away.
"I treated Cream the same before we became mates," Light said.
"Really?" he asked.
Cream laughed. "Yes, which is why I thought he didn't like me. I almost ran away, thinking that," Cream said.
"I'm glad I was unable to stop Light, then," Ace said.
Patch gave them a confused look.
"Ace was to prevent anyone from looking for me until I was long gone," Cream explained.
"Wow, you took it hard," Patch commented.
"If I hadn't found her, you would never have met Rose," Light pointed out. "If you think she doesn't like you, don't go doing something rash, like running away. She may just be wondering if you like her."
"Guys, look," Ace said.
The others looked out toward the horizon and saw a sliver on the edge. It soon came into focus, shimmering slightly from the sinking sun. It was the ocean.
"Wow," Patch whispered.
"It's too late to pass over the ocean tonight. Let's find a place to rest for the day," Light proposed.
Ace nodded his head and everyone started to search for somewhere to stay the night. "There," Cream said, pointing at the scenery below. Everyone followed where she was pointing and saw that there was a cave in a small clearing. Ace veered off his course and started to dive slightly toward it, unable to slope downward too much with his passengers on his back.
Ace landed in front of the cave and everyone piled off. The cave was about twice the size of the one Light had found Cream in before she ran away. Inside, there was a small, curled figure. It had a roundish head that came down into a very long snout. There were small spots on its dark green back. The creature raised its head at the newcomers.
"Hello, we're travelers and are looking for a place to stay the night. Could we possible stay with you?" Cream asked.
The Pokemon looked at the suspiciously before uncurling. It stood up on its legs, showing them its light yellow stomach and stripe that went up its chin and stopped at the end of its snout. "If it's just for this night," it said.
"Thank you. I'm Cream and this is Patch, Light, and Ace," she introduced, pointing to each of them respectively.
"I am called Ty," he said.
"Err, I'm sorry, but what species of Pokemon are you?" Patch asked.
He looked surprised at the question. "I'm a Cyndaquil, of course."
"Ah, you're a Johto Pokemon. We're from Kanto. We're heading toward Sinnoh so Patch here can become a Leafeon," Light said.
"What's a Leafeon?" Ty asked.
"It's the grass type evolution of an Eevee," Patch said.
"I've never heard of a Leafeon before," Ty said.
"Eevee can only become Leafeon by touching a Moss Rock. There's one in Sinnoh," Patch said.
"Do you know of any nearby berry bushes?" Light asked.
"I'll show you," Ty said.
He headed off into the undergrowth. Ace flew up into the air to look for his own meal, while the others followed Ty into the forest. Ty led them to a berry bush that was overfilling with berries. Light, Patch, and Cream harvested as much as they could carry and brought them back to the cave. They had gathered enough for breakfast, along with some more that they would leave with Ty as a gift for letting them stay.
They ate their dinner mostly in silence. When it was over, Light was about to lay down, when Patch suddenly left the cave. Light followed him out to see where he was going. Patch stopped near the cave and seemed to be looking down at something. Light came up beside him and saw a small disc in the ground.
"It's a TM or maybe one of the rare HMs," Light said, startling Patch.
"What's a TM?" Patch asked.
"A TM is a small disc that puts instructions of how to do a move in your head. However, you can't use it unless you're able to collect that information," Light said.
"Can I use it?" Patch asked.
Light shrugged. "I don't see why not. Just put your paw on it and concentrate on it."
Patch put his paw on it and closed his eyes. The small disc glowed for a second before cracking and losing all color. Patch opened his eyes after a while. "Did it work?" he asked.
"You're the one that learned the move," Light said.
Patch looked down at his feet for a second before smiling. He looked back up and opened his mouth. A small sphere formed and grew larger by the second. Before long, it was as big as Patch himself, yet getting bigger. Finally, it exploded, though it didn't seem to have any effect on Patch.
"Was that Shadow Ball?" Cream asked, walking up to them.
Patch and Light shrugged their shoulders. "Patch just used a TM, so maybe," Light said.
"Do you know Shadow Ball?" Patch asked.
Cream nodded, though it was a hesitant one.
"Oh, could you teach me to use it? Pleaaasssseee?" Patch asked.
Cream hesitated again, but finally relented. "Okay," she said.
Light stepped back and watched as Cream started to instruct Patch on the attack. Light thought the attack was pretty similar to Dark Pulse, though one had to only fire once instead of continuing a single attack.
Soon, Patch formed another Shadow Ball. This time, the sphere stopped before it became as large as him. It didn't explode as before and Patch sent it forward by throwing his head slightly forward. The dark sphere went forward, straight for a tree. However, the attack veered off majorly and hit a different tree. Patch seemed both excited and disappointed at the same time.
Light stepped forward again and heard Cream saying, "Don't worry; all you need to do is learn to aim. Once you do, you'll have the attack down."
Patch nodded, but started to give a large yawn in the middle. "I think it's time we headed in for the night. You can practice it when we get back, Patch," Light said.
Patch nodded again, his eyelids starting to droop. They went inside the cave and Light laid down with Cream, pulling her close. Ty laid down in the back, on top of a nest of leaves. Patch went over and laid near the entrance. Ace soon came back and perched on a tree outside, finding it a comfortable place to roost.
Light stayed awake a little longer, a little uneasy in the strange land. However, tiredness, along with Cream's body gentle moving up and down as she peacefully slept, made he closed his eyes and fall asleep himself.