Mark.

At Lunch.

"Leon, would you like grace us with the reason you've been acting so damn squirrelly?"

We found another, smaller, cavern just a while later, and the kids and I forced Lee to let us stop for lunch. Between the two of us, Dee and I managed to make bologna sandwiches pretty quickly with only my Gardevoir for light.

Step one, you say

"We need to talk," and he walks.

At my question, Lee's eyes darted down to his bologna and cheese sandwich. "I, uh. I think I already miss Mrs. Rose's cooking...God, you know how long since-?"

"Why are you dodging the question?" Riley nibbled on a crust corner. "Is it somethin' bad?"

Amber nodded. "Yeah, tell us."

You say, "Sit down,

It's just a talk."

With three to one, Lee was heavily outnumbered. He gulped nervously, without any food even in his mouth.

"I-I'll tell you later, Mark." The fact that he addressed me personally had me worried.

That weak-ass answer didn't impress Dee. Little Momma crossed her arms, frowning harshly.

He smiles politely back at you,

And you stare politely right on through.

"What d'ya mean, 'Mark'?" She demanded of him. "What's so damn freaky that we can't know?"

"It's not that you can't know," Lee corrected her. "I just don't want to tell you three."

Maybe for a second Lee thought we'd drop it, but Riley insisted, "Is everything alright?"

Some sort of window

To your right.

Lee glanced helplessly at me for help. I shrugged.

Even in the half-darkness, I could see Lee's pale face flush in frustration. He nibbled on his bottom lip like he was agitated, and by chance, made eye contact with Riley.

"How many times do I gotta say it's none of your damn business?" He snapped at Riley. "If I want to tell you brats, I'll feel more than welcome to!"

As he goes left,

And you stay right.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" I held up my hands. "Damn, Lee, calm yourself. It's more my style to insult the kids, just calm down."

Lee seemed to like the kids well enough, so it was a surprise to hear Lee snap like he did, especially at Riley. I'll never forget the flicker of fear I saw in that kid's eyes.

Riley glanced down at the ground, suddenly much more interested in eating. "...It's not so important, Mark...whatever."

Between the lines

Of fear and blame.

That insensitive bastard, he didn't even notice he had hurt Riley's feelings. Lee huffed.

"We oughta pack up soon, keep going," He suggested. "The weather'll only get colder, so we should hurry up and get to Snowpoint asap."

Riley nodded. "Y-yes, sir." I never had much pity, or respect, for Riley Davis until then. I partially wished I'd never even bothering coming to Sinnoh.

And you'll begin to

Wonder why you came...

Astro.

While Lee was busy being an insensitive asswipe, I was mirroring his behavior.

I ate my lunch further away from the other pokemon, but not close enough to overhear the humans. Riolu noticed, picked up his bowl, and came over to eat with me.

"H-hey, Astro..." He greeted me nervously, sitting down.

I grunted. "Go away, squirt. I'm eating."

Riolu ignored me, looking very sullen while doing it. He nibbled on a pellet of food.

"Are you mad at me?" His voice sounded small and scared. "Was it when I beat you in that battle? I-I'm sorry..."

"It's not that. You wouldn't...understand." I usually made it a point not to imply that I'm mentally superior to other pokemon, but Riolu made it so hard to drop our friendship.

Riolu pouted. "I'm sorry, Astro...stop being so mean. You aren't yourself anymore. I don't like your new attitude..."

"Well, it's 100% Astro here, so get over it!" I snapped. "Stop bothering me, you snivelling baby, and go eat your damn lunch with the real pokemon!"

Riolu looked like a wounded Buneary, the way I had spoken to him. Then, he scowled, a look unfamiliar to his childish features. I saw a little childish rebellion in those blood red eyes.

"Fine. If that's how it is, then fine." Riolu stormed off from my spot, looking like he'd eaten a sour Watmel berry.

I sighed angrily, staring at the food I'd hardly touched. Being so mean to him left a bitter taste in my mouth, but making him angry could finally drive him to push me away.

That Night.

Despite Lee's determination to push foward, we ended up sleeping in a cold Mt. Coronet cavern that night.

I, personally, couldn't sleep; out of all the things that changed when I overheard Cyrus tell Amber why I'm such a screw up, my sleeping habits suffered the most.

I sat against a wall, staring into the darkness. Mark's Gardevoir was no longer glowing; with supposedly no one to be awake, no light was needed.

In the darkness, I heard that familiar voice titter, "Astro?"

I sighed. "What?" What could he even be doing up so late?

As he approached, I heard toddling footsteps. I closed my eyes, and watched the outline of his aura as he walked.

"It's late. Go to bed." What the hell made him so stubborn that he kept trying to talk to me?!

Just before he walked into me, I warned him, "Stop. You're gonna hit the wall."

There was a shuffling noise as Riolu pulled himself to a stop, and he sat down in front of me. I sighed, feeling the slight beginning of a headache coming on.

"What are you doing?" I demanded. "Go to bed, already. Jeez."

"Why are you up?" He countered. That sense of rebellion returned.

I scowled. "What does it matter to you?" I asked, starting to stand up. "Go to bed. Leave me alone, alrea-!"

"Wait!" Riolu had the stones to stop me midsentence.

Interested, I stopped. He didn't continue.

"Well?" I asked. I crossed my arms. "Out with it."

Riolu had to muster up the courage to tell me what he wanted to. Squirt had gotten so brave over the months we'd been together, but was still so damn timid.

"I..." He gulped. "I don't like how you've changed. None of us do! You're not as fun to be around as you used to be, and you keep on being really mean to me, and...and stop it!"

It sounded as if he'd been holding it in. I leaned against the wall of the corner.

"Riolu...I-"

"I'm not done!" He squeaked. "You...you used to love to be around me, and you'd talk and you'd say things I don't understand, but I'd always listen. And I miss being your...your best friend...so stop being mean, Astro!"

Riolu was angrier than I had ever heard him before. Angry and...sad...he was really hurt by all I'd been doing.

And I'd been trying so hard not to hurt him...

"Riolu, you...it's stuff you wouldn't understand." That was some weak-ass bullshit, and I knew it then, and I certainly know it now. "I...there's some stuff wrong with me..."

"If I don't understand, then make me understand!" Riolu ordered. "I don't care! If it means we can be friends again, I'll do anything!"

Over where the trainers were sleeping, somebody turned over. Probably Riley or Dee, they were both pretty light sleepers.

My blood ran cold. Riolu was...determined not to be pushed away. Not anymore.

There was nothing I could do or say that would change his mind, and that scared the holy crap out of me.

AOF: Note; the song in this chapter is How to Save a Life by The Fray.