"You should have seen her in action. Once we got down to business, teams started to pile- Are you listening?"
"I'm glistening… Uh, listening! Listening."
Flareon Light missed a few parts when Slowking Chad described the battle. He sat across from him at a table filled with emptying plates from lunch. Now that they were back on the ship, everyone's moods improved. Some of their meals turned into feasts. This was one of them.
On the same cushion with Light, Sky Shaymin Ariel snuggled up with him and played with his ears. With her holding his paw, he couldn't be more content. Combined with the warm, sea air flooding the room, he'd be napping soon.
"Well, I do suppose the next part is common knowledge," Chad reasoned. "We won, and Jessie pulled Sacred Treasure Lobera from the stone. I'd show you my memories first-hand like last time, but I'm trying to save my strength for our training session in a few minutes."
"Speaking of, why don't you train with me today?"
Heliolisk Jonathan swayed on his feet as he approached the table. Ariel's grip on Light's paw tightened for a second.
"I was already training with him," Ariel answered.
"Well, I'll teach him better," he said. "That is what you want, right? To keep him safe? Then let me."
A fire erupted in Ariel's eyes. Her green eyes and Jonathan's blue held the same, sharp glint. Light put his paw on her back and tried to calm her down. Chad sat idle, keeping out of it.
"Let's just compromise," said Light. "You're both good at different things. We can-"
"Anyone can have a fierce willpower and hit hard," Jonathan said. "If you don't have skill, it doesn't matter. Being strong is the easy part."
"Scars won't make it harder to break your bones like the toothpicks they are."
"Let's just fight and get this over with. I'm not going to let Light get in trouble just because of your feelings."
"Took the words right outta' my mouth."
Jonathan grunted. He slowly turned and walked past the table to the hallway in the back of the dome-shaped room.
"Airy," Light whispered. "He's prideful, but he means well. Please don't."
Ariel turned her glare down. "But didn't you hear how that brat talked to me?"
"I know. I'll talk to him later. Just train with me today, okay?"
Light leaned on Ariel. She leaned back, let go of the fiery breath she had been holding onto and wrapped her other arm around him.
"By the way, you two," Chad said, "I got a delivery for you from a Pelliper that flew in. Apparently you ordered it, Ariel?"
Ariel's head shot up. "Is it the shirts?" she asked quickly.
"Yes, I took a glance…" Chad cleared his throat. "It's a very interesting birthday present, Ariel... Has your, uh... personality, all over it…"
Ariel fell into a small laughing fit. Light tried to read Chad's expression. He couldn't gleam anything from his indecipherable, half-smile.
A shadow zipped over Light's head. As he looked up, a small brown cardboard box floated down in front of them and landed on the table. Ariel opened the cardboard folds on top and pulled out twisted mounds of cloth. After a quick once over, she handed one of the soft, white shirts to Light.
Light rotated it around to view it correctly. Printed on the shirt, a picture of Ariel flexing her beefy right arm and winking. The green text over it read "If lost, return to Ariel." Light's face warmed.
"Thanks, Airy," Light said weakly.
"I got you more," Ariel sang.
Ariel handed Light another one. This one had her standing with her white cape flowing behind her as she stared off to the distance. The green text read "My Hero".
"Oh," he smiled. "Wow."
"Alright, then check these out."
Ariel handed Light another one. In the picture for this shirt, Ariel stood tall with her head tilted and her eyes half open. The text read "Speak to my boss." The next one read "Her frosting" and had her face staring down with a wide, white smile and snarky eyes.
Two shirts were left. One of them read "My Queen" and had Ariel walking to the left with her left foreleg up, smiling and glancing.
"I saved the best for last."
Light looked up at Ariel's face. It reddened to a new degree as she unfurled the last shirt. The picture took Light's attention first: Ariel's body curled around him with her chest against his back as he slept. With her arm and a leg covering over his, her other arm raised over his head, presumably holding her cell phone, taking the picture. She winked at the camera with her tongue sticking out.
It read "Her little beaut.".
Light gawked. His body temperature rose as his lips curled up into a trembling smile.
"I got you, like, three of this one," Ariel said. "I, ah, figured it might be your favorite."
"Turn it around," Chad said. "Let me see."
Ariel turned it around. Chad blinked, gawked, and peered his eyes staring at it.
"That…" he sighed, "seems like a gift Ariel would give you. Yes."
"You can let everyone know you're my little snookums…" she cooed.
"I think people get the idea," Chad added. "I think they get it a lot, actually…"
"What do you mean?" Light asked.
Light realized Ariel was rapid-firing kisses on his cheek. It took him a few seconds.
"We don't irritate people, right?" he asked.
Chad hesitated, giving him the answer. Light frowned as Chad chuckled to himself.
"Wait, seriously?" Light asked curiously.
"Okay," said Chad. "Just try staring at each other for a few seconds without touching."
Light didn't understand the challenge. All they had to do was sit in place. Ariel pulled back and stared at him with her emerald eyes and relaxed grin. Her wild, green fur rippled against her ears and showcased her muscles.
"How long's a few seconds?" Light asked.
"You're doing good," Chad said. "Keep it up."
Ariel raised an eyebrow at Light. He giggled and lowered his gaze. She lowered hers in tandem.
"Gorgeeoooooous," she sang.
Light nuzzled her shoulder. He opened his eyes as he realized.
"Alright," Chad nodded. "Six seconds. Now try it again."
"This isn't fun," Light groaned.
"Training is all about repetition, like how Ariel trained you to be with her twenty-four hours a day. So, no matter who you train with, make sure you do it correctly and with a good purpose." Chad leaned in closer to the table, frowning. "When it could be the difference between life and death, you have to choose what will protect people."
When Chad put it like that, Light considered training with Jonathan. Logical arguments sprung up against it: Jonathan over-relied on tricks sometimes, and he didn't hit as hard as Ariel did, even if he did have more "skill".
"Shouldn't keep them waiting for long," said Chad. "I need to go to my room to get something, so I can take the extra shirts down if you want."
"Thanks, Chad," Light said, smiling.
As Chad picked up the rest of the shirts, Light wiggled on the "Her little beaut" shirt. He stepped back on the floorboards and stood up on his back legs to present it to Ariel. She giggled nonstop looking at it.
"Are you actually wearing that one?" she asked between laughs.
"I think I deserve a little taste of heaven..."
The training area bustled with busy practice. Most of them were practicing motions or non-power based training so they could share the space without blowing each other up by accident.
Sunlight streamed in through a window, accompanied by a bright overhead. Combined, the light reflected off of the dark, gray metal floor and pierced Flareon Light's eyes until they adjusted. As he and Sky Shaymin Ariel searched for their own space, a small pause interrupted Drizzile Kenta and Mienfoo Robin from their punches. They both turned and stared while practicing straight punches.
"I want what you guys have," Kenta blurted.
"Ariel," said Robin. "Everyone knows. I think we all get the idea."
Kenta and Robin's voices drew the attention of Meowstic Markus, Pachirisu Susan, and Sky Shaymin Mei as they stood in a triangle facing each other.
"What is it?" Mei asked. "What's-"
Mei choked on her bewildered reaction. Markus shared a glance with Susan. He snickered pointing at them with his eyebrows raised. Susan's mouth formed an O.
"You are such a perv," Mei hissed. "Seriously? You're making me look bad."
"Making you look bad?" Ariel asked. "Why, because your muscles are half the size of mine, or is it that your face is a four while mine's a full ten?"
Light had to wonder why most people were looking at Ariel after seeing his shirt. He was the one wearing it, and he didn't want to take it off.
"Hey," Light said, "but aren't I the pervert for wearing it?" he asked Mei.
"Uh, no," Markus scoffed. "Everyone knows you sleepwalk. You've gone into, like, everyone's rooms at night."
"What?"
"A while back, you came into my room asking for pancakes.," Robin entered the conversation, " I thought you were being a creep, but, uh, you know. You were pretty focused on pancakes."
"It's true!"
Light looked towards the voice. Galarian Ponyta called out from the edge of the room facing Arcanine Zhen.
"Came into my room asking for cotton candy," she said. "He tried to chew on my tail. And, like, I use cotton candy perfume sometimes, so…"
"You came into mine looking for baby ducklings," Zhen added with a strange undertone. "I felt so bad, I even considered calling a few of them. You sounded sad. That's why I asked if you were okay that day."
"He came into mine asking for hazel nut cookies," Susan added. She turned to Kenta. "How about you, Kenta?"
Kenta's eyes widened, "Oh me? Well, he told me he wanted chocolate chip, but then he just turned around and walked out. Pretty sure he went back to his room."
"The first time, it creeped me out," Mei said, nodding. "Then I realized it was pretty much like talking to a walking teddy bear."
Light accepted it as it came and shook it off.
"Wait, guys," Light said, "I'm not just some teddy bear. I'm, like, a dude. I'm wearing this cause I want to. So, uh… there."
"Riiiiight," Markus replied. "Did it come with Ariel's juice box and string cheese?"
Light pouted as everyone chuckled. He noticed Heliolisk Jonathan saunter closer in the corner of his eye, laughing with them.
"Light," said Mei. "I have to ask, is it true that when you train with Ariel, you two fight until she kisses you?"
Light's eyes met Ariel's. Her smile contorted from the pressure of his surprised face.
"You told them?" he hissed too loudly.
"Hey Light."
Jonathan's serious voice stood out from the crowd. His eyes hardened as he stared.
"Call a meeting," he said. "There's something I want to talk about. About the Reshiram. I'm going to get something from my room, so give me a minute."
"Sure," Light replied. "Got it."
As Jonathan walked away, Ariel walked behind Light and threw her arm around him. Zangoose Fernand, Dewgong Nathan, and Roserade Storm drew closer to see the commotion.
"You're just jealous, Mei," said Ariel. "I got the most beautiful boyfriend in the world, and you're lonelier than the wicked witch of the west."
"I really just look weird," Light whispered.
"O-ooh," Mei fake laughed and glanced around. "This coming from you? After all of those failed arranged marriages because you were too chubby for even snobs to want?"
Light glanced overhead. Bags of popcorn glowing with psychic energy floated down to onlookers. As they were grabbed, glances of appreciation pointed towards Meowstic Markus. He had no idea where he got those. Maybe he had caramel popcorn, too.
"You want to just settle it?" Ariel asked. "How many battles am I up against you now? Five-hundred? Do you even lift?"
"Do you even listen to how stupid you soumd? I've been having to deal with your sloppy work on the Guild's finances ever since I came here!"
"Oh, great," she groaned. "Dammit. Who knows how much money you embezzled already."
"You don't even know what embezzling is!"
"Well, I'm not a professional at it like you."
"I'm going to shove my foot up your-"
"Do it," Ariel smiled. "Walk on over here, Mei. Let's have a training battle. We haven't for a few years."
"Fine."
In the blink of an eye, the Guild broke away from their training areas and started to form a large circle. Light had to back up in order to join it. He ended up between Markus and Slowking Chad. Both of them were relaxing to be around, with smiles as their resting faces. Chad might be thinking what he was at that moment.
If Ariel lost, she might take all of the ice cream they had left on the ship, and Light wouldn't be anything more than a captive watching hours of melodrama with her while she cried. Since it was Mei, it could be even worse.
Markus leaned down towards Light's ear. "You all ship-shaped and ready to be Ariel's cry pillow if she loses?"
"Yah," Light said. "But could you bring me some water every now and then if it happens? She cries out a lot…"
"Sure thing. Takes a village."
Sky Shaymin Ariel and Mei circled each other. Ariel seemed confident, but Light had been able to see through her quirks lately. Her paw hit the ground too hard. She was nervous; a lot of stake in the battle was already putting off her movements.
"Oh look," said Mei, "you're not punching first like a peabrain."
"I don't have to," Ariel sassed. "It's not like your punches will hurt."
Mei grew a foul smile. Light's heart raced as she stomped forward.
Ariel jabbed her in the face as Mei leaned forward. She fell on her side and raised her paws defensively over her face.
"Okay…" Mei groaned, touching her cheek with her paw. "Dammit."
As Ariel smiled and chuckles broke out, Light's eyes widened.
Mei let herself look like crap on purpose. She knew. As her eyes glazed past his, he could tell she was used to it. She grit and bore the snickering and chides. Light turned up to Markus.
Markus glanced back. He frowned and shrugged. Chad must've been able to tell too: he shared a small laugh pointing towards Light and turned back.
As Ariel winked at Light, Heliolisk Jonathan came back into the training room dragging a huge, thick leather bag behind him across the floor. He made sure to smile back at Ariel before walking forward closer to Jonathan.
"Everyone huddle close!" Light called. "Let's all take a look."
From the edge of the room, Emolga Alisha, Roserade Storm, Dewgong Nathan, Zangoose Fernand, Talonflame Roxanne, and Manaphy Jewel joined the tightening circle. They talked amongst themselves until Jonathan came back.
"Okay, everyone!" Light raised his voice. "Let's listen."
In Jonathan's other hand, he carried a silvery, metal sword. Cracks and pops like loose change continued until he swung it in front of him in the center of the large circle.
Glass shards poured out on the metal floor. One of Light's heartbeats echoed and rattled in his head.
"When Reshiram first took off, it left a field of this stuff behind," Jonathan explained. "I've been lugging it with me this whole time, leaving it in a place where I could come back and still bring it along with me. This is glass from Reshiram's body."
Jonathan moved slowly and carefully when he reached into the bag. Glass shards dripped off of a large slab that he pulled out. The bottom of it was thick enough for him to grip and stand up by itself on the floor, the top of it looked sharp enough to cut the ship in half. It was about half of Jonathan's height.
"This is what we're up against," he said.
Jonathan raised the sword of the slab of glass. He slammed it down on top. Light and everyone else in sight covered their faces to keep glass shards from spraying on them.
Light would've preferred if they did; instead, the sword fell apart into two pieces. The glass sliced it in half. A darker, colder silence washed over the room.
"All those weapons we've been stockpiling would be useless," Chad mourned. His eyes fell to the floor. "Damn."
"I've been trying a lotta' stuff," said Jonathan. "There's only one thing that could work."
Jonathan grabbed the dull end of a glass shard the size of a small knife. He slammed it down on the edge in a similar way. They clinked together; neither of them shattered or cracked. Jonathan raised up the glass shard in his hand and turned around in a circle, looking at everyone's eyes past it.
"This stuff isn't normal," Jonathan said. "I've tried all the metal to be found in Lao Shen, and it only resists itself. Training and fighting is all well and good, but we need to prepare to fight something unnatural. Problem is, we can't make weapons out of this stuff because blacksmiths can't cut or melt it, and Reshiram won't fire glass shaped like swords at us for us to use. Not to mention this isn't nearly enough."
"If I may."
Sky Shaymin Mei stepped forward in the circle and drew attention. Jonathan turned around to face her.
"Glass shards have fallen in a sort of trail in Lao Shen," said Mei. "We've been collecting them. We could deliver them here, but that doesn't solve the problem of actually making weapons."
"Yah, well, until that problem is solved, any weapons we make that don't involve shooting projectiles or armor will just get you shanked. I went through about ten leather bags just carrying this stuff."
"So for training," said Light, "we should focus on all the ways where we don't get hit. Practice attacking from a long distance, maybe even take a page out of those pirate's books and get laser cannons. It won't be that simple, but it means better odds for surviving."
"Barely," said Markus. "That thing flies too fast to hit or dodge. The only thing I could think of to counter would be the Sacred Treasures, and no one's-"
"Well," Mei interrupted, "technically speaking, someone did pick up Pangu. It's just that they stole it and we don't know who or where they are."
Light's eyes slowly fell on Mei. Seconds later, what she said clicked.
"What?" Light questioned. "When was this?"
"We were just coming down from Mount Ài. I didn't want to scare anyone while we were recovering… But, yes, our country lost its superweapon."
"What'd you expect leaving it out on a pedestal?" asked Markus.
"Well, yes… I see the downside of that strategy now… To be fair I paid my guard a lot."
"Your guard?" Jonathan asked. "You with the Lao Shen government or something?"
"It's a long story…"
"Okay," Light said. "Let's list off all of the Sacred Treasures and see what could be possible. So Pangu is missing."
"Courtain has been missing for years and years," Markus added. "Pinaka is missing, too. And Lobera. Why are there so many superweapons missing again?" he asked quietly.
"So that leaves Svalin, Gungnir, and Ame-no-nuhoko, right?" Light asked. He turned his face up. Ariel nodded.
"The WPO will probably have something to say about Gungnir," Chad said, raising his voice. "Svalin has been picked up by someone in Vantaa, but it's not public knowledge whoever that person is. Ame-no-nuhoko is…" he glanced at Markus, "missing."
"Bro, really?" Markus frowned. "They say they can take down entire countries and 'oops', they lost it? How? Why?"
"I doubt they're actually missing," Chad answered. "It's more like people want to keep them hidden because they're so dangerous." He stared at the slab of glass on the floor. His eyes lowered. "But I seriously doubt anything else in this world could stand against something like this. And to be honest, after Light's livestream, even professional fighters and bounty hunters are too afraid for this one. We're some of the only fools trying to do this."
"So we only know one thing for sure then," Light announced. "We might be able to get help or solve this problem. So let's focus on strengthening our bodies to the limit so they'll be useful tools when we find a way to fight."
"Agree," said Jonathan. "That said, I have to admit defeat on this one and say that Ariel should lead our training."
Sky Shaymin Ariel's ears perked up. She glanced around as everyone's stares fell on her shoulders.
"You drove it back," Jonathan said. "I couldn't protect Light, but you did. It may be simple, and we should also do technique training in case we're attacked by bandits or the like. But, if we all had strength like you, we could have a chance."
"I'm not, like, a teacher," she said. "I can't-"
"One step at a time," Light said. "You're pretty much a Guildmaster, too. Don't think about it all at once. What should we do for today?"
Light showcased a relaxed trust through a smile and still eyes. He reinforced her as she met everyone's gaze.
"Uh, practice long range attacks until you're just completely out of chi, and once you're out, do one more. Light, you just practice techniques like punching and kicking and stuff."
Light's eyes thinned. "Why don't I do the same thing?" he questioned.
"Your body's been through too much, and, uh, we still don't know a lot."
"But I want to fight, too."
Ariel leaned down and pecked Light's cheek. "I know, I know. Just let me be a little selfish and hear me out. Fire won't have much of an impact on it, and you like fighting up close anyways. This way, if we find a weapon that can handle it, you can fight it closer than anyone else."
"And," added Markus, "you'll be able to deal with all of its fire better than most of us would. You made for a nice distraction for a long range barrage when it appeared on the beach in the first place. This will just be an amped up version where you don't get shanked."
"You can train with me on techniques as well," said Zhen. "I'll join you on the front line."
Ariel raised her head up and whispered in Light's ear, "Plus, you get to train with me one on one all day. We can go up to the top deck." She traced a paw down Light's shoulder. "I'll guide your paws, okay? And remember to do everything exactly how I show you."
A puff of steam blew out of Light's nose. "Okay everyone, let's go! Me and Ariel are going top deck to do some special training."
"Want me to come to?" Zhen asked.
"No. I mean, no thanks."
Jonathan took a step closer, "Mind if I-"
"No, sorry."
"Uh… O-kay…"
"And remember to take this seriously," Light added. "You guys are all good people, so the way our fight with Reshiram should go is with no deaths, no injuries. Hold each other accountable. It's about survival, not about pride. Remember all the people that were cheering are counting on us to keep their whole lives in check."
"Exactly right," Chad raised his voice. "No one on this ship has ever died during a mission. We'll find a way. Everyone get started."
The sun bore down at full force on the top of the ship. Flareon Light felt its fire melding together with his own. Sky Shaymin Ariel led him to the center of the wide open space on top of the ship and turned around. The wooden floorboards glistened. Jewel must've been cleaning a lot.
Between the razor-thin clouds and fresh air, Light loved all of the room there was. If it weren't for training, he'd take a nap.
"So, what's first?" Light asked. "Probably footwork, right?"
"Yeah, about that… I don't really like the idea of you being 'the bait' or 'the front line' or anything like that."
Light frowned. Ariel's eyes darted around before settling on his. The wind blowing over the ocean pushed both of their ears around.
"I promise," she said quietly, "I'll make sure you don't have to risk your life again. Even alone, I'm a Scion now. I can do this."
"Don't guilt trip yourself into doing things you don't want to do. Let's just work together, that's all. I'll learn something from you, and maybe I can help you learn something, too."
"Ugh, talking to me like I'm a kindergartener… Of course we'll work together, but again, I don't like you being 'the bait'."
"Then… let's compromise," he said. "I'll train with you, and I'll take whatever role you feel I'm ready for."
Ariel thought about it for a moment. She smiled. "Okay. Well, first-"
"Uh, Guildmaster?"
Light turned around.
Ribombe Xiang flew up from the spiral staircase leading below with an unsure look on her face and a yellow paper notepad in her hands.
"Hi," said Light. "What's up?"
"Hi," she said. "Just wondering… Is there any particular reason we have so many bottles labeled 'love potion'?"
Light turned his head back and shared a glance with Ariel. She didn't look like she had come up with anything.
"It's for, uh… training," Light said. "I have, like, a lot of vulnerability to infatuation, so I need to for, ah, practice."
Xiang folded her arms. Light tried to grin and shrug it off; instead he ended up with a tense, awkward smile.
"So, should I throw them out?" she asked.
"No!" Ariel called. "Uh, no. It makes training a lot easier because then we don't have to use moves to train Light's resistance to stuff."
"Right… Well, a few of them in the storeroom are getting in the way of my medical supplies. Where do you want me to move them?"
"Uh, put 'em in Nadia's room. For safekeeping."
"Alright then… Good luck with your training."
Light let out a breath when Xiang floated back down. Once the buzz of her wings was gone, his shoulders fell as he turned around. Ariel beamed.
"Do you wanna make out?" she asked.
"Uh, we were training," said Light.
"Oh yeah…. Uh, show me a punch."
"Do you mean, like, punch you, or…?"
Ariel's smile curled up. "I mean, you can punch me if you want to show me."
"Alright… Like, a full punch, or just technique?"
"Full punch. I'm ready."
"Alright. I mean, I'll try. With the, uh, blessing and all…"
"Yeah," she said. "I get it. Try anyways."
Flareon Light walked up in front of Sky Shaymin Ariel. She raised a flat paw in the air for him to strike. Light twisted his body halfway through the motion three times, then struck. Ariel caught his paw and slowly broke out into giggles.
Light could punch harder than that, but it was as if his body wouldn't let him. As discontent weighed down his shoulders, Ariel stepped forward and threw her arms around his mane, picking him up off the ground.
"That was so cute! Cm'here!"
As much as Light liked the onslaught of kisses on his cheek, his face warmed up with embarrassment. As Ariel set him down, he thought of a tiny, smidget of payback.
"Okay," Light said, "show me how high you can kick."
Ariel's face froze. "Uh, what do you mean?"
"Show me how you can kick. Or your flexibility."
"Uh, alright. Sure."
Ariel backed away. She brought her back foot up to try and reach her right paw as she held it straight in front of her. Her leg shook as she hit an invisible wall below her knee's height.
Light raised his back leg and kicked over her head. She looked up at him with small daggers in her eyes. He grinned.
"Got anything you want to say?" she asked.
"I'll keep punching, and you keep stretching," he said.
"I don't like stretching."
"B-but Airy," Light said, "what if I need you to kick up high to save me?"
Light picked his words strategically. In truth, he wanted her to be strong to have a bit tougher pride when it came to losing. Both her positivity and depression spread like wildfire.
"What?" she asked. "Am I not good enough as is?"
"I never said that. Or implied it," he defended. "Don't you want to be flexible? Isn't it… you know, freeing? To be able to do more stuff?"
"I've never been able to kick even just up to my chest, okay? I can't just-"
"You can do it. Let me help you."
Ariel's frown deepened. Light smiled.
"I get it," said Light. "I don't like being helped either. But we're a team. You can help me get stronger, and I'll help you for flexibility."
"But getting stronger is easy," she argued. "Straightforward. You just punch a lot and then you can punch harder."
"Stretching's simple, too. Here, give me your paw."
Ariel stepped forward and held out her fluffy, strong right paw. As Light held it, he realized it was the size of both of his own combined. He had to use some of his body weight to push back and stretch her wrist. She blushed as he held her paw for half a minute. Once he let go, he did the same for her left.
"Like that," Light said. "See?"
"Y-yeah," she breathed. "So, uh, what next?"
"Well, there's stuff for arms, legs, back… What do you want to do?"
"U-uh, whatever. I guess legs, since, you know. I'm really not… great at kicking."
"Alright. Lay down on your back for a sec. Keep your knees bent and feet flat."
"Uh, okay…"
Ariel did as Light asked. He walked over to her side so she could still see his face.
"Raise your leg up," Light said. "Stretch out that lower muscle."
Ariel struggled to lift her leg up. From her face, it didn't seem like she got any stretching out of it.
"Do you mind if I touch your leg?" he asked.
Ariel's face hinted at surprise. "Uh yeah."
"What is it?"
"Uh, nothing. Just sort of… So gentlemanly."
"Oh. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
"I'm good. Go ahead."
Looking at Ariel's leg, he hesitated. He's helped people stretch before. He did the same thing with Chad when his lower back had been bothering him again. Ariel stopped him from just going through the motions. She stared at him with a flicker in her eye.
In all of his thinking, he nearly forgot the fact she was his girlfriend. He shouldn't overthink it. Light wrapped his arms around her leg and adjusted it for a stretch. After a few times, she'd be able to do it herself. The hardest part was starting.
"You've got pretty legs…" Light's voice petered out at the end. All of his confidence flew out into the cool breeze. He wished on a star that Ariel didn't hear his awful, weird attempt at a compliment. "So, uhm, have you been feeling better since the spa?"
Ariel straightened out her leg. Light let go and raised his paws up. He stayed still out of caution.
She snagged Light by his mane and pulled him down. Fire and warmth zapped his face through her lips. His limbs turned to jelly as she held him. Her heartbeat vibrated his whole chest. He couldn't figure out how to breathe getting kissed on the lips and pulled his head a drop away from her face.
"Thank you, Light," Ariel sighed. "You always know just what to say."
A cleared throat made Light turn his head away from Ariel's emerald eyes. Sky Shaymin Mei stood a few paces away with her lips clenched together. He scrambled off of Ariel as she sat up.
"Hi we were just stretching..." Light said quickly.
"Oh wow," Mei sassed, frowning. "What a surprise. I'd never expect to find you two kissing. What a shock..."
"You're kind of interrupting," Ariel warned. "What is it?"
"We have a guest meeting us on board in a few hours. King Amadeus Acuity and Charlotte Evergreen. Your grandad and aunt, Light."
"But, they're in Valor…" Light wondered aloud. "What do you mean they'll be here?"
"It means they took a boat from Valor and followed us all the way here," Mei explained. "We're slowing progress by a few hours so they can catch up. A warlord and a famous inventor are worth the wait. That's all I had to say. I'm heading back down now."
Light watched Mei walk back towards the spiral stairs, dumbfounded at the news. Ariel stood up behind him and wrapped an arm over his shoulder. He looked up at her concerned face.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"I, uh…"
"Don't know?"
Light glanced down and shook his head. "What if I never feel anything? I'm, uh, not ready for this yet."
"Hey. Deep breaths. Come on."
Light breathed in deep and released in tandem with Ariel. A puff of steam came out and blew away in the breeze.
"I think you're just nervous since they're famous," she said. "Buu-u-u-ut, they are your family. Haven't you always wanted to meet them?"
"Yah," he sighed. "You're right. I'm just worried they'll expect me to, like, I don't know."
"Just tap me on my wrist if they bother you. I've thrown people overboard before."
Light glanced at her face.
"Not on this ship," she said quickly. "It's cool. Can I kiss you again?"
"W-we should probably train."
"Oh yeah."
"Also, what should we tell the others?" Light asked. "About, uh, the thing."
"Well, luckily I have experience with my family barging into my life and changing how everyone views me, so I think you'll be fine. But before we get back to it, I wanted to ask you something."
Ariel's serious tone captured Light's attention. He honed in on her eyes and locked on.
"We can get back to punching and stretching," she said, "but I wanted you to try and use Candor on me?"
Light kept an invisible lock on the strange sensation of a new muscle in his brain. He preferred to forget it was there.
"But, why?" he asked. "I mean, you know what it can do, right?"
"Think of it as having the freedom to do more stuff. Besides, we'll keep running in circles if we don't learn anything." Ariel walked closer and lowered her voice. "Something's going on, and this is a way to try and search. Besides, Candor could be useful if you practiced with it."
"I don't want to use it against other people," he argued, "and that includes you. It's invasive and wrong."
"You asked me if you could touch my leg. This is the same thing. The only difference is that it's with the deepest, darkest parts of my subconscious."
"You… sort of just made my own point for me."
"Fine, let me put it this way," she said. "It is way more dangerous for you to not know how to use it or what you can do with it than it is to test it on me, who you already know plenty about. We already know it's just mental. I'm not going to be hurt."
"The fact that I could mentally hurt you is twenty times worse."
"You used it before, remember? Trust me."
"I'm… I'm really not sure, Airy."
"Trust me. I'm all good, alright?"
"I'll… Okay. Just a little."
Ariel stared back into Light's eyes. He eased into flexing his brain. He didn't have much prior experience to judge off of, but it came easy. It didn't feel like the stress of lifting something heavy. A natural, easy connection linked together between them.
"Uh," Light grumbled, "so, uh, what should I do with it?"
"Try seeing if you can figure out what I'm thinking about. Close your eyes and try to picture it."
"I can't use Candor without eye contact. Or, uh, touch."
Ariel walked up to Light and held his paws. He breathed out a small puff of steam and closed his eyes.
All he could make out was the color pink. He could dig deeper, which would probably earn him the view of the object, but he didn't want to.
"Something pink," he said.
"Uh, Light?" Ariel asked quietly. "I heard that."
"Heard what?"
"That you thought you could see it if you dug deeper, but didn't want to."
Light's eyes opened to see her face. He wanted to cut off the connection. It felt a little trippy. Ariel agreed, but it only made her more curious. They could save it for later so they could focus on training, but Ariel wanted to figure this out so they could adjust their training if need be. Light wondered how.
If they practice, Ariel figured Light could have better odds of stopping or distracting Reshiram without getting hurt. Light didn't exactly want to connect with Reshiram, though. It was a two-way street. He didn't know what Reshiram could do to him if that happened. That's why Ariel thought training could help them figure it out, so they could know just what it's all about. She never wanted to make him do anything he didn't want to, just to experiment and see whether he really did or not. Clear up any misconceptions.
That seemed fair to Light, but he'd still rather wait. He wanted to get actual training done. Ariel conceded. He slowly released the connection in case it would shock either of them if he cut it too quickly.
"That was weird," Ariel said. "Were we talking just now? I feel like we were talking just now."
Ariel seemed a bit dazed. Light noted it.
"Uh, I think," he said. "How do you feel? Dizzy?
"I feel all… warm," she said. "Fuzzy. I feel good. Let's try that again, actually."
"But didn't you agree to train with me?"
"Yeah, I know, I know. But hear me out. You know how I can manipulate chi, right?"
"Yah."
"What if I did that, and, like, we discover something?" she wondered aloud. "Like, we could look at a memory, or-"
"Isn't messing with memories what scared Rayquaza the most about me, though?" he asked, knowing the answer. "I'm not super eager to try and do exactly what a divine, powerful creature told me exactly not to."
"It doesn't mind experimentation so you have control of it."
"How… How do you know that?" Light asked quietly. "Airy, are you hearing things?"
"It's not a big deal," she huffed. "Mei hears Rayquaza, too. It's just a Scion thing. It just said hi by the way. Said sorry for earlier, too. Claims that it felt weird until it gave up its body."
"Weird how?"
"Like, head swimming in jello weird."
Light had started to understand that Ariel had a habit of being short with her words; not providing details unless asked about something. She wasn't secretive per se, but she and Mei weren't the most talkative. Her face betrayed the fact that she had only thought to mention it now.
"Didn't realize it, like, worms into your head when you became a Scion…" Light said.
"It's not like, in my head…" she explained. "Think of it as like having a spirit around you. Rayquaza just said it wants you to look into my memories because it thinks something's… wrong?" Confusion passed over Ariel's face. "What could be wrong with what I remember?"
"Does Rayquaza remember what happened to it before it felt funny?"
"Well, it's just a spirit now. Spirits can't hold memories. It's not like they have brains when they're just spirits. Right now, it's operating based on my memory," said Ariel. "Well, me and Mei's. It's probably the same with Lugia, so we can't find out what happened that way, unless you do something like using Candor on Reshiram before it loses its body. Which is exactly why I want us to train together so we can figure out what's happening."
"I'm willing to try," Light said, "but, later. Let's get back to it."
"Right."
Being honest with himself, training technically went horribly. Sky Shaymin Ariel distracted him the whole time, and stood behind Flareon Light and held his paws with every punch he did so he could get the motion right. It burned a lot of time for him to get it right on his own. Now, every time he punched, he felt a phantom of her bright, beautiful smile behind his back and her weight on his arm.
They also burned an hour cuddling with the ocean view in between practice. They talked at random. Ariel mentioned she had seen Light helping Chad get his old flexibility back. He returned talking about how well she was doing with Robin and Nadia again. Towards the end, they took a selfie to post on his blog. Light kept the shirt on for it.
As the clouds rolled past, Light's internal clock told him that sunset would come in an hour. That's when he spotted a small ship gaining on them from behind. It could've almost passed for a speedboat. It left white, bubbling ripples in the water behind its shiny, white surface. It was made up entirely of an ovular deck and a small, globe-like room where the driver would be.
"That's incredible," Light said, breaking a comfortable silence. "I feel it, even from here. The Acuitan blessing."
"What's it feel like?" Ariel asked quietly, right next to his ear.
"Well, with the Sylveon it felt like a sort of turbulent tingling in my head. Right now, it's the same tingling, but… It's hard to describe. Strong and more sort of unchanging. Even just from the cave, I can tell it's him."
"Should I go let the other Guild members know we have guests?"
"Yah. Some of them probably will recognize them. He is an active king. Besides, I technically just turned of age for my identity to be revealed as a prince. I don't think it matters if they figure it out."
"Well, I'll just text them. Looks like they're coming up fast."
Ariel was right. In the seconds Light took to gaze into her warm eyes, they got closer. They'd be on their side in less than a minute.
"Hey," he said, "how are they supposed to board the ship, anyway?"
"Good question," said Ariel. "Honestly, I don't know."
"Maybe if I use Helping Hand, Markus and Chad will be able to lift their boat on with Psychic. Actually, on second thought, we don't have a place to put that thing, do we?"
The ship caught up. Light stood up and walked over to the edge with Ariel. With a closer view, he noticed an enormous, cannon-like structure on the side of the boat. It fired a flat, steel pole to the side of the cruise ship and stuck.
"That's one big Grappler," Ariel commented. "I've never seen one used like that. I think I'll go down and help them aboard."
Something startled Ariel. She pushed Light back away from the edge and stumbled back herself. Falling on his back, Light kept his eyes trained on the edge.
An Umbreon had leapt up to the boat and landed in front of them. Just next to him, a black cylinder with a wire attached to its back stuck up on the shiny, wood panels. Seconds after the wire went taut from weight, a Leafeon pulled herself up over the railing and hopped on the floor.
Light cringed and stayed still. Leafeon shrieked as she ran up to him. The cylinder raced back to a band around her wrist, reaching it half a second before she threw her arms around him.
"Look at my nephew!" she cried. "Look at him!"
"I see him, Charlotte," Umbreon groaned. "Light, I hate to skip the pleasantries, but I gave Charlotte some of my food, and I'm starving... Do you mind talking over food?"
"N-not at all," said Light. "There's leftovers for you both below us."
"Oh, thank you sweetie-pie!" said Leafeon Charlotte. She pinched Light's cheek and wiggled it. "Auntie Charlotte made sure to get here as fast as she could."
Light didn't quite feel the impact of family yet. He researched his aunt as soon as he found out about her. She was a serious inventor. Thinking about it now, she invented the Grappler. That meant that the pole she used to tac their ship onto theirs was another one of her inventions.
"Uh, thanks," he said. "Are you hungry too?"
"Positively famished. I thought I packed more than enough, but, oh well. Lead the way!"
"Alright."
Light shivered as he turned around. The buzzing from the Acuitan blessing seemed almost forgettable. Without consciously thinking about it, it morphed into a background feeling he wouldn't even remember otherwise.
"Chingyang," Umbreon's voice said, "a pleasure. Thank you for saving my grandson."
"Yes, Lord Acuity," she answered. "A pleasure to meet you as well."
"I noticed you at that, well, strange cave incident. I hope you don't mind that I informed Charlotte of your identity, given the circumstances."
"I don't mind at all."
"I saw that you returned to Lao Shen's palace. How fares your sister?"
"She fares well. You may ask yourself; she has chosen to come with us on this very ship."
"I see. Was the shirt a birthday gift for my grandson?"
Light didn't get to see Ariel's formal persona too often. He always found himself impressed with it. But, if anything were to break it, it would be a king asking why his grandson was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of them cuddling and the words "Her little beaut" on it. He probably should've taken it off.
"Indeed," said Ariel. "And he much enjoys it."
Tiny trails of steam lifted off Light's fur once he entered the spiral staircase leading down. Charlotte walked beside him and stared with bright eyes.
"I see," said Umbreon. "You're aware of that rule, yes?"
"I am. We haven't discussed it, yet. I don't think he's aware."
Light didn't know about any rule that concerned him. He only spared a glance back, focusing on moving down with falling.
"I can explain," Umbreon volunteered. "It's a rule set up by the World Peace Organization preventing political marriages, especially for military gain. Lao Shen and Acuity have some of the largest military budgets in the world, at least until recent downsizing on both ends. If you were to wed Ariel, one of you would have to pick to take the other's last name, essentially ending all royal ties you had beforehand."
"I, uh, never really thought about it, since…" he admitted. "Uhm, well."
"Just a small consideration, considering the shirt you're wearing."
"Lord Acuity," said Ariel, "if I may, what are we to do with the secrecy of his status with you on board?"
"Light is sixteen years old now," said Umbreon. "The secrecy is over. I was surprised you didn't reveal the information yourselves, mildly. This news will draw a lot of attention, but it won't change how your Guild operates. I already took it on myself to make the WPO aware of Light's status beforehand. There are no issues."
Coming down into the hallway, Light hoped they wouldn't run across anyone. Immediately, his hopes were shot down.
Meowstic Markus glanced their way at the end of the hall and stopped walking. He turned towards them with uplifted eyebrows.
"Amadeus?" Markus asked. "Hey, what are you doing here?"
Light glanced back to see his reaction. The Umbreon smiled and let out a puff of air. "Could ask the same of you. I didn't know you were here." He turned to Charlotte. "This is Markus Valor. He ran away from home before his parade."
Charlotte gawked. "You mean to say Aaron has an older brother?"
"Indeed I do. And he's a wizard at chess."
Markus smiled and shrugged. "Let me know when you want the smoke, old man."
"Gladly. Could I ask a favor?"
"Sure."
"If you could bring my bags on the ship to where we'll be eating, that would be wonderful. I have something to show you all."
"Sure, chief. Happy to see you."
A little bit of Light's stress left his head. His grandfather was familiar with Markus' antics. That meant he'd be fine with practically anything.
"Uhm, sir," Light spoke up. "I was wondering… And not trying to imply anything, but why did you come all the way here?"
"To help," said Umbreon. "Gawain has been doing well with the help of his father, but you've had no one and are fighting a big enemy. I intend to help fight that enemy personally."
Light didn't know him, but something about it didn't feel like the whole truth. There had to be something else he skipped out on mentioning. He didn't get these small inklings and guesses with other people. It could be the blessing at work.
He continued to lead and brought them up another spiral staircase to the main lobby. No one else was inside, save for Manaphy Jewel, cleaning the tables at a lightning pace. As Light picked a table, Umbreon Amadeus and Leafeon Charlotte both stared at Jewel as she raced across the floor.
Light sat down across from Amadeus at a small, circular table. Ariel joined him on his cushion while Charlotte took the third side.
"So, where is the rest of your Guild?" Amadeus asked.
"They're finishing up training," said Ariel. "It would normally be simple, but there are complications fighting Reshiram that we have to take into account."
"I can imagine. Part of the reason I came was to see if I had a solution that might help. We put plenty of research into footage, sightings, and other reports, but I can't offer an answer that I'm sure of."
"Just your being here is an honor, Lord Acuity."
"Well, I'm just doing what I should for a change. Light."
Light's eyes clicked up. "Y-yes?"
Amadeus leaned his arms on the table. "Now that you know you have the Acuitan blessing, I hope I can help you sometime."
"I, uh, would be grateful..."
At the end of the hallway in the back of the room, the doors burst open. Chatter slowly invaded the room. Amadeus kept leaning on the table without turning back.
"Quiet everyone," Slowking Chad called in front of the stampede with his arms up. "We have important guests here to speak with us. Try to mind your manners."
From the spiral staircase, Sky Shaymin Mei emerged from the maze of hallways below. She walked over to the table and approached Amadeus' line of sight. Her formal air had returned.
"Lord Acuity," said Mei.
Amadeus's eyes clicked facing up. "Ah yes," he said. "Greetings. Are you well?"
"I am. Thank you."
Mei sat down across from Charlotte. Not long after, Meowstic Markus emerged from the same stairwell with a huge, black bag floating up and down following behind him. The Wayfarers had formed a wide circle around the table, so he floated it over their heads and set it down in front of them.
"Uhm, excuse me?" Minefoo Robin asked. "Uhm, you would happen to be, uhm, Amadeus Acuity?"
Silence followed the question. It deepened when he looked up to his right and answered.
"I am," he said. "To my left is Charlotte Evergreen. She invented Grapplers, and has created extensive other accomplishments through her years working at the Nightlight Association."
Light captured a few reactions: Zangoose Fernand had never looked so surprised before, Slowking Chad bounced his weight on each of his feet, and Ribombe Xiang's face fell as she glanced at others. Heliolisk Jonathan stared with his mouth slightly agape.
"We're here to offer our support," Amadeus explained. "I suppose normally, that would mean sending mail, but we came here in person because what we've brought is very special. And the second reason is that I wanted to meet my grandson in person."
"Oh, Light," Heliolisk Jonathan gasped, "you're shitting me, right?"
Flareon Light withered up and surrounded his whole body in his large, gray tail. Ariel patted him on the back and left her paw there. He had spent a while fearing this silent realization. Now he knew exactly how Ariel felt.
"And I wanted to meet my nephew," Charlotte added after a short silence.
"Ariel?" Galarian Ponyta Nadia raised her voice, "you knew?"
"I did as well,"said Chad. "We confirmed it at the hospital when they were studying his samples. His birth name is Angelo Bedivere Acuity, and his parents are Lancelot Acuity and Rosemary Evergreen."
"That's kinda nuts," said Drizzile Kenta. "Daaa-aaaaang. That's crazy. Is anyone else here royalty? So we can, just, like, finish."
Meowstic Markus cackled. It was clearly meant to be quiet, but the silence made everyone hear and turn to him. Pachirisu Susan stood next to him, glaring. He grinned back down to her.
"Hey, don't look at me like that," he said. "You know it's funny."
"Oh! Me me me me me me!"
It was Light's turn to fall into shock. He looked out of his plume of fur towards the voice.
Mapahy Jewel had raised her hand. Chad's face went pale and broke out into sweat. Jewel looked at his face and slowly fell into horror.
"Oh," her voice cracked. "Uh, nevermind."
"Jewel," Amadeus said, "that was supposed to wait for at least four more years."
"Uh, uh, nevermind."
Markus' head fell back. "You have got to be shitting me. What."
"Uh, I said nevermind."
"Fine," Amadeus huffed. "At a young age, bandits discovered her identityso we sent her to a remote location, and paid a retired world-renowned bounty hunter to seal the deal. I'll be graceful, but if anyone in this room tells, I'm going to have to kill you or imprison you for four years."
Slowking Chad grabbed his chest and breathed out for the first time since Jewel spoke up.
Mei and Ariel glanced at each other with huge, stunned faces that probably wouldn't be replicated for years to come. Light could only imagine his. It didn't take a whole lot of science to figure out Jewel was probably Veritan, since Markus and him never sensed anything. The fact that this mistake just happened amazed him as much as finding a dodo coated in gold.
"I'm so, so sorry," said Jewel. "I, uh, forgot, for some reason. Somehow. That was really stupid. I kind of forgot. Doesn't really come up that much."
"Oh what the fuck," Jonathan blurted. "What planet am I on?"
"The whole time?" Light squeaked.
"Don't panic," Amadeus ordered. "Just don't talk about it, and we won't have a problem. Does everyone understand? Nod your heads."
Amadeus looked around and gathered head nods. Light could barely even get oxygen, but he managed to move enough for it.
"Why are there so many royals here?" Emolga Alisha spoke up. "This makes no sense. What we're doing is dangerous."
"Our lives aren't worth more than anyone else's," Amadeus said. "We stick by it and truly believe that."
"We're absolute units," Markus said. "Our blood puts us in the front lines because it's our jobs to take the hits first. Also, Jewel was awful happenstance and she should probably go home or somewhere safe."
"I don't want to go anywhere else," she argued. "I like it here."
"Royal blood aside, your, like, twelve?" he asked.
"She doesn't do actual fighting," Ariel clarified. "She helped that night Reshiram first appeared because there wasn't any other choice."
"We're getting a little off topic," Amadeus' voice rose. "Royal blood doesn't matter on this ship, it just happens to be here. I wanted to call everyone here so that we could test something. I think you all have some experience with this now."
Amadeus rolled down the sides of the bag. He raised a long, black case out of it, swept the bag underneath to the floor, and set it back down on the table. He pulled the black, steel top off.
And then another. And then three more. Light wondered what he needed all of those covers for.
Electricity erupted in the air when he pulled off the last one. Light shrunk back into Ariel's embrace. The surge of energy felt familiar.
"So," Mei observed, "the Acuitan family did have Sacred Treasure Courtain."
"Yes," said Amadeus. "It's last user was a member of the Acuitan family, and they wanted it to be used by someone who wouldn't use it for needless violence. As such, even people who synchronized with the blade were unable to draw out its real power, making it just a normal sword in their hands. We think that her wishes stayed on the blade, somehow. We don't know much, but its energy patterns are slightly different from any other Sacred Treasure."
"So in other words," said Mei, "there's even less of a chance of anyone being able to use this one."
"Correct. But, if anyone could use it, they'd be on this ship."
Light peered over to be able to see it.
It was a silver, shining sword. Light immediately realized it didn't have a tip, and the edge itself was dull, almost rounded. It was so much so, he doubted it would cut anything.
"This sword looks weird," said Markus. "Almost like some kind of bat. This is Courtain?"
"Some called it the Sword of Mercy," Amadeus explained. "I've never seen it, but stories say it shapeshifts and grows in power when faced against evil. Unlike other Sacred Treasures, it is nigh impossible to kill with it unless the sword itself allows you to. But those are just the stories."
"Alright," said Markus. "Well, let's do this."
"Remember," he warned, "don't actually touch it or it'll burn you if you're not its wielder. Move slow, and once you feel heat, stop."
"Right."
Meowstic Markus strode up to the table and floated on top of it. He bent down and reached out his paw. He retracted it.
"Nope," said Markus. "Actually, I didn't even get close."
Amadeus nodded, then turned. "Mei, Ariel, if you may."
Light forced his reflex of pulling Ariel back to him to calm down. Mei and her bounded up on top of the table and tried at the same time.
"Actually," said Mei, flinching back, "I think it hates me. It's like a giant bubble of knives."
Amadeus smirked to himself for a second while Mei sat back down. He continued to watch Ariel push her paw closer and closer until it stopped shy.
"Uh, sorry," she said quietly.
Ariel sulked back down to Light. He flashed her a small smile. She smiled back a little.
"Chad," Amadeus called, "you seem to be a nice sort. Why don't you try next?"
Slowking Chad shrugged and smiled. "Alright." He walked up to the side of the table and reached out his arm.
Chad's hand got close enough for Amadeus to watch without blinking. Light did too. On the last several inches, he stopped his steady pace forward and sighed. Amadeus reclined back in his sitting position with some sadness on his face.
"Picky blade," said Amadeus. "If anyone deserves to wield it, it's you."
"I'm not so sure," Chad said. "I'm not as gentle as I look. It felt strange…"
"Plenty of people have experiences when they try. Lots say they become more aware of themselves after." Amadeus focused his gaze ahead. "Why don't you try, Light?"
"I'm not certain that is wise," said Ariel. "Light has been under too much stress to train after everything that has happened. He's evolved, and there are other concerns."
"I'm aware. If he is able to wield Courtain, solving these problems might just become a priority. Let him try, if he's willing."
Light shared a glance with Ariel. She nodded as he shifted and pulled himself up to the table. Even though he was among the smallest of Flareon, the sword didn't look impossibly heavy. It reached past his arm's length, the recommended length for blades, but he's seen others use weapons double their size before.
Once he stood over it, Light pushed his paw forward. The electric feeling stayed the same as he grew closer. He remembered the feeling of Pangu rejecting him, so he'd know when to stop. That wasn't what worried him.
His paw kept getting closer without hitting a wall. His heart raced thinking about all of the responsibility that would come if he really could use Courtain. He would be the main offense against Reshiram that they had. It meant being on the front lines, taking the brunt of the responsibility, and becoming all of the main firepower. It would be Ariel's worst nightmare coming true.
Even more than that, Light would have to get strong enough to use it when he had no idea how Reshiram affected his body. He already resembled it and had Candor. The stress on his body could hurt him. Yet somehow, he didn't care. Reshiram tried to attack everyday citizens in Kaigan. It had to be stopped. He was the one who took the stone from that mansion in the first place, and he had to stop it. Even if something happened to him, the world would just be down by one petty thief.
It didn't matter whether he caused it or someone else. He took the responsibility because it's what a good person would do, and good people always follow through; rain or shine, however they could. Maybe by using an olive branch, or a weapon to keep that branch alive.
Amadeus screamed out in joy and smiled with his paws curled into fists. Chad, Markus, and the rest of the Wayfarers joined in their shock and celebration. Light turned around.
Tears beaded up in Ariel's emerald eyes. She turned her face away and flew off over the circle towards the spiral staircase. Light retreated his paws from Courtain's warm, smooth surface and followed her.
Light's success kickstarted a feast, both of the food he enjoyed and the food the others were used to. Manaphy Jewel fished up seafood and combined it with what they already had on board. With pictures taken, he could assume everything: his bloodline and his success, were circulating through the internet like wildfire.
As night fell, Light continued to stay in Ariel's room while she feasted on green, mint ice cream. He brought her food, and she did eat. Over time, Ariel explained that she wanted it to be her; that it wasn't fair for him to have to be on the front lines again. Over time, Light told her he was fine because she would be there. After some cuddling, she calmed down as always.
Moonlight streamed in through droplets of water on Ariel's window. The light of her TV screen sliced at Light's eyes, so he simply closed them leaning against her side and drifted off to sleep.