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DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokémon.

Chapter 8: The Strange Boy

Outfit: ht$tp:$/$fav.$me/$d6ixw5l (Get rid of the dollar signs)

Sapphire's POV

"R-Ruby?"

I could feel my body tremble as I stared at the person before me. The sight was completely surreal. Could Ruby be really there? There in front of me? My heart kept beating faster and louder, until I could no longer contain my overwhelming emotions.

"RUBY!" With my arms fully extended, I lunged at him and tackled the boy to the ground.

"Gah!" He flinched and turned around at my sudden action.

I completely caught him off guard and unintentionally scared away the Paras. But that wasn't important right now...

I held back my tears as I stared at his face. "Ru—"

...Something was not right.

"What do you think you're doing?!" He yelled at me in anger and shock.

The boy looked exactly like Ruby, except for the slight spikiness in his hair, the lingering flowery smell, ...and the color of his eyes. They were blue. Blue as the deepest ocean depths.

It can't be real.

"Whadd'ya mean what am I doing?"

I couldn't understand it.

He has to be Ruby.

He has to.

"Why're ya wearing colored contacts?!" I went for his eyes as he struggled to stop me.

"Contacts? I'm not wearing any!" He held back my hands just as I realized that his eye color was genuine.

Still, I was not convinced. There was one more evidence that could prove once and for all. I broke my free from his firm grip and tried to remove his green headband. If he had the pair of scars underneath, then there was no mistake.

Once again, he grabbed my wrists and persistently restrained me just before I could pull it off.

"First, try to claw my eyes out. Now you're trying to strip me? What The Hell is wrong with you?!"

"Just take if off!" I was getting impatient. I frantically tried to jerk off the infernal headwear while he desperately did everything to prevent me from doing so.

"Let go!"

"NO!" I growled and bared my fangs at him. I was not giving up.

All of a sudden, I felt my whole body being lifted into the air. The boy seized the opportunity and pried my hands away from him. Then he stood up, brushed away the dirt and fixed his headband. "Thanks, Azura."

I shifted my head to see who he was talking to. My eyes widened at the psychic pokemon on the ground with him. It was a blue Kirlia. Its amber horns were shining and its sleek white arms were raised upwards. I knew it was responsible for my current state.

"Put me down!" I demanded and flailed around angrily.

The boy took a moment to catch his breath before facing me with a serious face. "First of all, my name is not Ruby. It's Lapis. La-pis… Secondly, is this the thanks I get for giving you an Apricorn box, cooking breakfast, twice, and beating up those guys at the Sprout Tower? Not to mention rescuing you after you passed out, twice as well."

I growled and bared my fangs again. "I didn't ask ya ta!"

"Hmph." Crossing his arms, he turned around and told his pokemon to stop.

The psychic force holding me up vanished and consequently, I fell down. But instead of the ground I landed on a pokemon. Its fur was similar to the one I was lying on earlier. I raised my head and saw the creature turn and stare back at me. It was a deer-like pokemon with a mix of brown and red leaves cascading from its antlers.

I petted its muzzle as it kept its gaze fixated on me. It looked really majestic and its dark brown eyes were gentle yet strong.

"That's my Sawsbuck. His name is Xylo." Lapis came closer and patted the side of the deer's head. Xylo glanced at him for a second and returned his eyes back at me.

"And this is Azura, my Kirlia." The raven-haired boy gestured to the blue-haired pokemon approaching his side. I was reminded of Ruby's Gallade. It was the same shade of color. Was it some sort of coincidence?

Lapis caught me staring. "What? You've never seen a shiny Kirlia before?"

"I've seen a shiny Gallade." I replied as I studied his expression.

Lapis sighed deeply. "Well, Azura can't become a Gallade, seeing that she is female."

The Kirlia cocked her head to the side and smiled brightly.

"Hello." I heard a voice in my head. I figured that Azura greeted me telepathically.

I greeted back. "Hey, A-Azura?"

The shiny Kirlia's grin widened as she twirled around and did a curtsy. Lapis' expression changed from a serious look to a soft smile. It didn't make me feel any better. I found it unsettling. No matter how I look at him, he looks so much like Ruby. Just who is he?

But before I could pop a question, I remembered something that I accidentally had forgotten. I shifted my head from side to side in search of a certain fussy rodent. "...Momo?"

"…Mi-Min-cci?" Momo head popped out from the autumn foliage of Xylo's antlers. But something was not right. She swayed from side to side and just flopped head first in front of me. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyes were droopy. Is she drunk?

"Sorry about that." Lapis scratched his head and let out a little chuckle. "She got overwhelmed by Xylo's Aromatherapy. It'll wear off…"

Momo staggered to her feet and grinned goofily. "..Mi..Mincc.." Then she slumped back to her previous position and passed out. I felt a sweat drop as I sighed in exasperation. Momo was quite the odd little Minccino. I scooped her up and cradled her in my arms. "What am I gonna do with ya?"

"...Well?"

I looked back at Lapis who seemed to be waiting for me to bombard him with questions. There was a lot I wanted to ask but I didn't know what to ask first. Part of me was still in shock. I wanted to believe that Ruby was back, but the boy before me…

*rumble*

My tummy really knows when to interrupt.

"How about you set up camp while I cook dinner?" Lapis suggested after holding back his laughter.

"W-Wait. Dinner?" I stared at him in shock. How long was I asleep and more importantly, if he really isn't Ruby, why is he so damn friendly towards me? Something's not right.

"Yeah, dinner. It's a quarter to six, according to my poketch." Lapis glanced at the green device on wrist. "It's still a long way to Goldenrod, and traveling at night in Ilex forest will only get you lost."

Lapis started to walk away with Azura following beside him.

"Hey, just a sec!" I was about to dismount from his Sawsbuck, when Xylo just started moving on his own.

"Just sit there quietly until we find a better clearing." Lapis glanced from side to side to find a more open place.

I don't know whether or not I should trust him. How could I? This is the first time he showed himself. Why was he hiding from me in the first place? Why is he helping me? How does he know me? Who is he? Questions just kept pouring down like rain and I was really anxious to have all the answers. But not right now. I bit my lip and told myself to wait a bit longer.

Finally, we reached a wide open area. Stones were already aligned in a circle and remnants of burned wood lay in the center. It seems like there were others who camped here before. Xylo bent down and I got off. Lapis was unpacking the familiar pot and bowls. All in all, there were eight bowls. Eight? My three pokemon and I make four. He, Azura and Xylo make three. That makes seven. Does he have another pokemon?

Lapis picked up the pot by the handle and called for his Kirlia to accompany him. "I'm gonna go and get some water. In the meantime, get a fire started, okay?"

"I know what ta do! Don't treat me like some kid!" I yelled at him.

He only chuckled in response as he disappeared into the woods. Now it was just me, Xylo and my drunken Minccino, Momo.

I got Toro and Moro out to get materials for a campfire. They both burst out of their pokeballs and looked at the Sawsbuck, curiously. I gave them a short introduction and afterwards, we left.

Xylo laid on his belly and guarded the site while we gathered wood. When I meant we, I mean Toro, Moro and me. I left the knocked out Momo with the Sawsbuck, otherwise, it would be hard to pick up wood with only one hand.

Once we collected enough, the three of us returned. Lapis and Azura also came back, carrying a pot full of water and strangely, behind them, trailed a group of Paras. One of which had a bandage on its back.

"I ran in to some little helpers. Tonight's gonna be mushroom stew." Lapis declared with a proud grin as each of the Paras happily raised a mushroom in each pincher. It was different from the tochukaso mushroom growing on their back. Since those ones are more on medical purposes. I had enough faith in the boy to know if they were poisonous or not, seeing that he'll be eating with me.

I set the pile of wood and Toro lit them up into a blaze. Then Lapis placed the pot down and started cooking. The Paras lined up and handed the mushrooms to the boy before they bid their farewells and went back to the woods.

I sat down and leaned on Xylo's side. Momo was still snoozing like a Snorlax; snored like one too. Toro and Moro stayed by me. The three of us kept staring at Lapis and studying his every move. I didn't know if he knew that we were or he was too oblivious to notice.

Lapis stirred the stew and started humming to himself. I felt something nagging at the back of my mind. I couldn't quite put a finger on it. All of a sudden, Azura came over to him and tapped his side. He flinched and immediately ceased humming.

"Hey, why'd ya stop?" I asked and continued to eye him intently.

He turned his head towards me and grinned. "N-nothing. Azura just told me that it'll taste better if I added a leek."

"I see." I settled down, but I was still feeling uneasy. With the darkness falling and the silence growing, I decided to start my interrogation.

"Who're ya?" was my first question.

Lapis laughed. "What are you? A Slowpoke with Amnesia?"

I growled and clenched my fists. Just because I was wearing pink doesn't mean he should compare me to a Slowpoke. "I meant, who're ya?! Why're ya stalkin' me? How'd ya know me?" I blurted out on impulse.

Lapis' attention remained at his cooking. He wasn't at all disturbed by my raise in tone or my usage of the word stalking. "Like I said, my name is Lapis. I'm seventeen years old. My hobbies include traveling and photography."

He likes taking pictures, I thought. Just like Ruby. Another thing I should take note of. I did my best to remain calm. "Ya didn't answer my last two questions."

"Err... I wasn't stalking you… per se." Lapis trailed off.

"Ya were to." I shot back.

"Okay... Maybe I was." Lapis replied with a tinge of sarcasm.

"So why!?" I was getting irritated. Patience was definitely not my strong point.

"I found you… interesting?" Lapis seemed to question his own response.

What kind of answer is that?! That's something only a real stalker would say. I grew even more agitated. Moro and Toro shuddered at the menacing aura I was giving off. While Xylo remained undisturbed as did Momo.

"Well, Ruby did say you were." Lapis added as he gave the stew a taste test.

"Eh?" I was in shock and my deadly aura vanished in split second. He knew Ruby? "Just who are ya?"

Lapis laughed at me. "Do I have to repeat it all over agin? My name is La—"

"I know yer freakin' name!" I stood up and yelled louder. "Just tell me how ya know Ruby."

Lapis glanced at me and returned to his stew. "We were neighbors in Goldenrod City. A few months ago, I got a call from him telling me that he was coming back to Johto with his girl."

*sweat drop* First, Liz and now Lapis. Just how many people did Ruby inform about my journey? I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind when he comes back.

"He told me a lot of interesting things about you." Lapis said as he added a few finishing touches to his cooking before giving it another stir.

I crossed my arms and stared at him with suspicion."Yeah? Like what?"

"Interesting stuff. He talks about you a lot."

"Really? He didn't mention anythin' about you." I eyed him with suspicion.

"Like Ruby has that many guy friends in Johto to talk about." He retorted.

I sat back down in defeat. Lapis was right about that. Knowing prissy boy's personality, I doubted many boys were willing to hang out with him. But what made Lapis so special that he got close to Ruby. Well, other than being neighbors. Was it the fact he smelled like flowers? I didn't think it was perfume. Maybe an overdose of Xylo's Aromatherapy?

"Done!" Lapis raised a ladle and rung the pot, signalling our pokemon that dinner was ready. Azura, Toro and Moro were first to get their bowls filled. The shiny Kirlia brought an extra bowlful of stew and placed it in front of Xylo.

Momo got a whiff of the delectable aroma and slowly woke up. "Mincci?"

"Feelin' better now?" I briskly ruffled the tuff of fur on her head to fully remove her lethargy.

Annoyed, Momo flicked away my hand and brushed her fur. "Minccino!"

I was glad to see her back into her fussy furball self.

"Here you two go." Lapis came over and handed over a couple of bowls.

Momo happily accepted it and carried it off to where Moro and Toro were eating. She seemed completely at ease with Lapis. Why wouldn't she? She was saved by him before and he has provided her with delicious food for the third time in a row now.

"Here is yours." Lapis smiled and offered me the bowl.

I reluctantly took my share of the food and thank him. Then unexpectedly, he sat down next to me. Azura used her telekinesis to give her trainer the last two remaining bowls. I watched as he placed one on his lap and the other between us.

"Who does the other bowl belong to?" I inquired.

"I placed it there in case you wanted seconds." Lapis replied with a joking grin.

What does he take me for? A Grumpig? I grumbled and glared at him.

"Just kidding." Lapis took out another pokeball and sent out a third pokemon. This time, it was a small blue dog with a black mask on its face. It looked the same as the Aura Guardian's pokemon, Lucario, but littler.

"Riolu, come eat with us." Lapis picked up the second bowl and handed it to the dog-like pokemon. The Riolu nodded his thanks and took the food. Then he glanced at Azura who was waving at him. A slight pink blushed across his face. He turned away, and sat nervously between me and Lapis.

I knew that look anywhere. The Riolu liked Azura. I giggled under my breath and hid my smile as I began to eat Lapis' mushroom stew. It was delicious. The mushrooms were soft and chewy. I liked how he used organic and natural ingredients found here in Ilex. Wait! Why do I care about his cooking?

"By the way..." Lapis spoke up.

I stopped eating and turned to him. "What?"

"This Riolu here was just hatched about a week ago." The boy placed a hand on the pokemon's head. "So don't be too hard on him."

"Huh?" I didn't do anything. Why did he say that? It's his pokemon.

"The gym in Goldenrod specializes in Normal types. Other than Toro, you should have another fighting-type." Lapis suggested.

"So what? You're giving me yer Riolu?" I was feeling a little confused by the sudden gift.

"That's right. I already planned it beforehand. That's why I didn't give him a nickname." Lapis stroked the blue pokemon's head as it looked up at him.

"So ya did plan ta follow me from the very start." I concluded as I narrowed my eyes. "Ya freakin' stalker."

"Very perceptive." Lapis complimented with a small chuckle. "Say it is a token of our first meeting as well as the start of us traveling together."

*cough* "W-wait. Traveling together? Just when did I agree ta that?" I almost choked on a mushroom. What in Arceus' name is he talking about?!

"So you'd prefer me to follow you in secret?" Lapis shot back.

"I want ya ta leave me alone!" I shouted.

The Riolu got startled by my outburst and hid behind Lapis' arm. I flinched back at my mistake. The boy calmed it down with gentle pats before looking at me with an unhappy expression and waited for an apology.

The blue dog glanced at me. He looked frightened. Great, just great Sapph! Look at what you did! I scolded myself. Then I lowered my head and held out my hand. "Uhm, Rilo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean ta yell."

"R-rio?" The pokemon's face lit up a bit when I called it by a different name.

Lapis followed up with an encouraging smile and nudge. "Your trainer just gave you a name."

Rilo's face beamed with joy as he gave the boy a hug before turning towards me. "Rio!"

My trio came over when they realized they had a new member. Moro and Momo were the first to fawn over their new friend while Toro just watched behind them. Somehow, my Blaziken looked like a mother hen watching over her flock of little chicks. Moro and Rilo could still evolve to a much taller and fiercer form. Momo, on the other hand, I knew that I shouldn't speak to her about her evolution being second shortest fully evolved pokemon. She has issues being the smallest in my team.

"Oh, yeah. Before I forget." Lapis interrupted and called back the Riolu. Rilo came over and stared curiously at him. The boy took out a little silver bell and tied it around the yellow collar on the Riolu's neck. "That's a Soothe bell. It's a small memento from all of us."

Rilo smiled at the present and gave Lapis' another hug. The raven-haired boy patted the pokemon and gestured his Kirlia to come over. Azura skipped towards us and grinned brightly at the Riolu, making the emanation pokemon flush. Xylo didn't display much of a reaction as he turned his head towards his trainer and my new pokemon. As usual, he remained silent and expressionless.

I saw how much Lapis' had cared for the Riolu. I didn't really understand as to why he was willing to part with him, if he took the effort to hatch it in the first place. After a short farewell from them, Rilo came back to me and handed his pokeball. I accepted the the red and white sphere and rubbed his head. "Welcome to the team, Rilo."

"Rio!"

"Well, we should turn in for the night." Lapis stood up, stretched his arms and yawned loudly. Azura and Xylo followed the yawning as did my pokemon. I agreed, though, I wasn't all that sleepy, having been knocked out half of the afternoon.

Lapis put away the pot and bowls while I set up my usual hammock between two trees. I shot glances back at the boy and his two pokemon. He was still much of a mystery to me. I still had no real idea to why he was following me. All of his answers so far were kind of vague. I couldn't even pursue the topic about him traveling with me.

It was late. I decided to talk to him about it in the morning. I lay my back on the hammock while my pokemon settled down together against the tree beside me. Moro and Momo were curled up at either side of Toro and Rilo was lying on the Blakizen's lap. I hid a smile. Toro was really the mother hen of the group.

I took a peek across the campsite to where Lapis and the others were. I was a little surprise. Lapis didn't use a sleeping bag or anything related. He just sat down leaning against Xylo's side like before but with his head down, and knee bent upwards with an arm on top. Azura rested next to him and the Sawsbuck laid its head on the ground.

Does he really sleep like that? Lapis was getting more mysterious. I continued to watch him as the vivid orange embers of the fire die down and fade into ashes. The sound of Hoothoots and Noctowls filled the atmosphere as well as the musical chirping of various insects. The leaves above me blocked my view of the night sky as I tossed around restlessly.

I didn't know when I fell asleep, but somehow, I did.

Normal POV

Lapis woke up and glanced at Sapphire and her pokemon to see if they were all asleep. After a making sure that they were, he stood up, arousing his two pokemon from their slumber. "Azura, tell me if they wake up. I'll be back." He whispered softly.

Azura nodded and watched as her trainer entered the woods as silent as he possibly could.

Not far from the campsite, Lapis scanned the shadows and whispered. "Hey, I know you're out there."

( … )

"Everything's going well. I gave her the Riolu." Lapis was talking to someone in a hush tone.

( … )

"It'll be fine. Don't worry. Xylo and Azura are with me."

( … )

"Yeah. I better go. I'll see you again after we exit the forest."

( … )

"I understand what he said, but this way I can kill two birds with one stone ...Or should I say three."

( … )

"I'm sure. Well, goodnight. Thanks for the mushrooms, by the way."

( … )

Lapis returned to the camp. Everyone was as they were before. He sighed in relief and went back to sleep.

Sapphire's TEAM

Toro (Blaziken)
Nature: Quiet

Momo (Minccino)
Nature: Sassy

Moro (Flaaffy)
Nature: Docile

Rilo (Riolu)
Nature: Lax

Lapis' TEAM

Azura (Kirlia)
Nature: Sassy

Xylo (Sawsbuck)
Nature: Serious

September 4th

Sapphire arose from her hammock by the smell of fresh dew and the sound of leaves rustling ine morning wind. After a quick stretch, she rubbed her eyes and glanced at Lapis and his pokemon. They were gone. All that was left was a note and a pot full of raw mushrooms.

Sapphire got up in a hurry and read the letter. It looked like it was written in a hurry. Part of her was expecting that it was a note saying goodbye, but instead…

Dear Sapphire,

I decided to add a leek for this morning's mushroom stew, or would you have preferred me to stir fry the mushrooms instead? Anyway, I heard some Farfetch'd live around these parts. I'll try finding where they grow the leek stalks so I can add one to the stew. Wish me luck! I'll be back as soon as I can.

Sincerely, Lapis

The Hoenn lass crumpled the piece of paper and threw it to Toro who burned it to ashes. Thinking for a second, Sapphire turned to her team with a serious look, "Alright, guys. Let's head out."

Toro and Moro readied to leave but Momo and Rilo seemed hesitant. The duo glanced at the forest to see if Lapis was coming. Sapphire went over to them and placed a hand over each of their heads. "Ya don't have ta worry over that guy. He'll catch up."

Momo and Rilo still wanted to wait for him, plus they didn't have breakfast yet. But in the end, they followed their trainer's wish. Sapphire's real motive was to ditch Lapis but she knew that the boy would end up following her nonetheless. The girl returned her three pokemon to their pokeballs and Momo hopped unto Sapphire's shoulder.

"Let's go!" Sapphire bounded away from the clearing and headed towards Goldenrod City.

Sometime later…

"I'm back!" Lapis returned with a sprig of green onions in hand. He was covered in leaves and feathers due to fighting over a single leek from a wild Farfetch'd. He was all smiles over his victory but the sight that greeted him made him frown. Sapphire was gone as well as her pokemon. Lapis scratched his head and brushed off the dirt. "I should have seen this coming."

"Told you so!" Azura giggled.

( … )

"I'll get breakfast ready. You two lead them back."

( … )

"Kirlia!" Azura teleported away, leaving Xylo and Lapis to fix food for them later on.

Sapphire and Momo ventured deep into Ilex forest, ignoring the hungry moans of their stomach. So far, all they came across was tree after tree, after tree. Everywhere looked exactly the same as before. Even the wild's girl senses were no help in figuring out the exit.

She decided to climb up a tree to get a better view. Her head popped out of the treetops and she surveyed the area. Acres of forestry grew miles around. In the distance, she saw tall buildings. Her face lit up with relief. "Finally! That must be Goldenrod City."

Sapphire jumped down and hurriedly ran towards her desired destination. Moving agilely between the trees, the girl surged through the woods with speed and eagerness. Then she smelled something oddly familiar in the direction she was headed. It was a mix of mushrooms cooking and blooming flowers. Sapphire couldn't believe it. She passed a couple more trees and found herself back at the campsite.

"W-what the?!" The blue-eyed girl stood in shock.

"Welcome back. Did you have a nice run?" Lapis was grinning as he readied a hot bowl full of stew for Sapphire and her pokemon.

End of Chapter 8

Hahaha... The mystery deepens!
Who was he talking to? Just so we're clear, it's not the Paras!

Any opinions concerning Lapis? (btw. it's short for Lapis Lazuli, a blue gem similar sapphire)

Did anyone make guesses about Azura and Xylo?
Azura probably can give you hints about her origin.

I've read a lot of fanfics with a Riolu/Lucario. It's a cool pokemon. I need one here as well.

I'm having a hard time readjusting my timeline. I'm a day or two early. lol.
So far, according to my timeline; Ecruteak City will be great! Plus the dexholders will be there as well

Thanks facelessclocks!
I'm so glad you like the battles!
There will be bigger cliffhangers in the far-off future.

Dead Bones Sam: I can't give any hints about Ruby yet.
As the story develops maybe you can piece together some clues.
It's more fun to keep people guessing.

Thanks novaking2832!
It's really great to have a loyal reviewer!

Please leave a review. Tell me what you think? It really encourages me!