Keldeo dreamed of the beginning.
It was another day in Paradise. The Bittercold was long gone, and pokemon were living in peace. He was walking through Paradise with Virizion, Virizion kept saying she had a surprise for Keldeo, but what she would not say.
"C'mon, you can't tell me anything?" Keldeo hopped around Virizion, the smile on her muzzle led Keldeo to believe he was getting close to breaking Virizion. He stopped hoping around, leaning into her as she walked "Not even a little hint?" Virizion looked away, but even Keldeo could see the smile was still there. Suddenly, he felt himself falling forward, something had struck his front legs and caused him to tumble forward with a fall.
"Oh. How clumsy of me." Virizion spoke unconvincingly, bringing her leg back to her side with a chuckle. After a moment she approached Keldeo and helped him up. "We're almost there, so just be patient."
"Yes, Virizion…" Keldeo sighed, standing back up. That's when the two of them heard the sound of loud crashing behind them. The two spun around, watching an excitable red and yellow pokemon sporadically fly around a large blue and gray dragon.
"Watch where you're moving that big body of yours, Kyurem!" the red and yellow creature zipped to his face, Kyurem bowing his head meekly "You nearly broke my special V-Wheel!"
"And I was about to win!" a gray and purple pokemon yelled, slamming his steel beam into the ground.
"I apologize." Kyurem bowed his head once again.
Keldeo and Virizion watched on, Kyurem was once an enemy who had served the Bittercold believing it to be his fate to do so. When he discovered that it was folly, he had been trying to acclimate himself back into society, with varying success.
"Alright, that's enough, Victini." Keldeo jumped to Virizion stepping forward towards the three of them "It was an honest accident. No need to get all uppity about it, Gurdurr." Virizion continued, the two pokemon now directing their ire towards Virizion. Kyurem tried his best to quietly back up and let them argue, nearly bumping into another group of pokemon, who yelled at him too. Another bow and a quick apology, and he was moving towards Keldeo.
"Greetings, Keldeo," Kyurem said, a deep rumble offset by the meek greeting. Keldeo nodded in return, he still wasn't too fond of Kyurem, their battle still fresh in his mind. But the owner of Paradise allowed him to be here, so there wasn't much he could do about that. They sat in silence.
"...I must confess, Keldeo…" Kyurem stared ahead at Virizion arguing with the others, Keldeo didn't turn to face Kyurem "This is terrifying. It was easy to think I was helping when I was disconnected from you all, serving the Bittercold. But actually walking amongst you all. It is enriching as much as it is terrifying." Kyurem turned to face Keldeo "I had spent all this time thinking I was walking with you all. But what I needed to do was walk amongst you all. But clearly...I must work on that as well."
Keldeo nodded, a flat smile on his face as he avoided eye contact with Kyurem. The two watched Virizion return, Victini and Gurdurr had calmed down only a little bit with the V-Wheel set back up.
"You should be all set, Kyurem." Virizion smiled "Do be more mindful of where you are going."
"Yes. Thank you, Lady Virizion." Kyurem nodded, turning and nodding to Keldeo "Keldeo." and with that, he sauntered back into Paradise, extra mindful of his surroundings. Virizion and Keldeo continued their trek through Paradise.
"I don't get why everyone is trying to be so nice to him." Keldeo huffed.
"He's really trying to be better, Keldeo," Virizion said "He was misguided, and so we all helped him. That's what it means to be a Swordsman."
Keldeo groaned, she always used the 'Swordsman' card on him when he asked complicated questions. Thankfully, his attention was diverted when he saw Cobalion and Terrakion standing at the edge of Paradise, watching Keldeo and Virizion approach.
"You handled that well, Virizion." Cobalion nodded.
"If it wasn't him, it was going to be me." Terrakion chuckled.
"Hey, that's great. So we're all here now…" Keldeo butted into the middle of the three excitedly "So about my surprise?" Keldeo asked.
The three swordsmen looked between each other, trying their best not to laugh out loud "Yes…" Cobalion finally spoke "You were able to manage yourself well during the Bittercold Crisis. However, we have come across something that could be a huge boon for you."
"A new technique. Supposed to be even stronger than our Sacred Swords." Terrakion leaned in, delighting in the rapt attention Keldeo was showing now "Secret Sword!"
"But it's not a secret anymore." Keldeo said plainly,
"Exactly…" Terrakion chuckled.
"We can't learn it ourselves. But we believe you can, Keldeo." Virizion leaned into Keldeo "So training begins now, to teach you this new technique."
"It may be hard. But I know you're up to the task…" Cobalion knelt to see Keldeo eye to eye "We just want to help you, Keldeo."
Keldeo's eyes lit up excitedly "Sounds good to me!" Keldeo grinned, following the Swordsmen out into the wilderness to train.
Keldeo eyes fluttered, roused by a nostalgic smell. He saw the familiar white bag from the bakery that Cody frequented, and the smell of...what did Cody call them...blueberries? Did he ever tell Cody those were his favorite? How did it get here?
Keldeo tried to stand to eat, but his whole body screamed in protest, barely getting a few inches off the ground before collapsing back into the sand. He whimpered and snorted, trying to adjust himself in the sand to be comfy at least.
Memories of what happened came back to him, the fight against Thundurus, the betrayed look on Cobalion, Terrakion, and now Virizion's face; and of course, his crushing defeat. He didn't even stand a chance, Thundurus was just toying with him.
Anger flooded Keldeo and he forced his body to stand up, groaning as he brought himself up. Keldeo gasped on shaking legs, it hurt so much to do this, but he was strong, he could do this.
"...Cody?" Keldeo called out weakly, stepping forward slowly with great effort. A sharp inhale accompanied every step as he attempted to reach the mouth of the cave. Keldeo knew that they were here, but they were gone.
"...Did they abandon me?" the thought passed through Keldeo for only a moment. Of course they didn't! Why else would that bag be in the cave? They were just out there doing...something?
The water, Keldeo was fixated on the rolling waves of the shore, the moon's reflection glistened along the water's surface. He just had to get to the water and he could start feeling better. One step into the cold water and his leg buckled, causing him to fall in, getting greeted with salt water up his nose. Keldeo coughed and snorted, moving through the pain and trying to get his body submerged in the ocean. Keldeo let out a long, strained sigh as the stinging salt water greeted his body. After a couple minutes, Keldeo began to regulate his breathing; a slow breath in, hold, a slow breath out. He repeated this for several minutes, the salt water stinging his body less and less. He finally jumped out of the water and stood on its surface, shaking his body of the excess water. It was still sore, but much better than the near immobility he was suffering minutes ago. Keldeo looked back to the cave, where he was probably going to have to spend most of his evening, hoping that Cody and the others returned sometime soon. How long was he out for?
Keldeo made his way back to the cave, collapsing where he had been resting before. He struggled to finagle opening the muffin bag with his hooves, but finally managed to get it out and eat. It wasn't warm and gooey like before, but food is food, Keldeo mused. He chewed on it slow and idly, his thoughts once again returning to before he was knocked out.
The humans that he had met; Cody, Terrence, and Vera, he gave them the medallions and they transformed. And then there they were, Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion, like nothing happened. But they didn't remember him, they didn't remember how to fight, they didn't remember anything!
Keldeo's attention was brought back to the mouth of the cave, where he heard the sound of three voices coming towards them. He could identify them easily, Terrence, Vera, and Cody. They didn't leave him after all.
"...So for DnD, we're gonna want to find a third party member to make it easier for all of you too…-!?" Cody trailed off, when he reached the mouth of the cave and saw Keldeo awake, he let out a soft gasp. Terrence and Vera smiled as Cody ran forward, sliding in the sand and getting close to Keldeo "Aw man. Thank God you're alright." Cody wrapped him in a hug. Keldeo jumped, going stiff as Cody grabbed him and held him. Keldeo blinked at Cody, feeling just how tight he was hugging him. Keldeo looked to Terrence and Vera.
"You gave us a scare, dude," Terrence said, crossing his arms. When Keldeo felt Cody lighten his grip he groaned and struggled free. Barely moving from how sore he was.
"How long was I out?" Keldeo managed to ask, Cody still kneeling beside him. The three humans looked between each other, concern evident on their faces.
"Don't freak out but…" Vera began "It's already Monday. It's been four days."
"Four days!?" Keldeo stepped forward, only for his leg to buckle and fall forward. Cody caught him before he fell "Has Kyurem...did anyone?" Cody held him again, this time less of a hug and more of a means to calm him down.
"No no no," Cody said, trying to speak calmly "Kyurem hasn't tried anything since Thundurus." When Keldeo stopped moving, Cody finally let him go and stood up "We've just been laying low in the meantime. Didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves." Cody smiled.
"Oh, but your friend did drop by." Vera nodded.
"Friend?" Keldeo asked.
"Yeah, black and purple dragon, three heads," Terrence said.
"Hydreigon? The Voice of Life was here!?" Keldeo stood up again, easier this time.
"Yeah. Not for long, but he…-!?"
"Cobalion?" Keldeo began interrupting Terrence "Terrakion? Virizion? Does he know where they are?" The look that the three humans gave each other was not a good sign.
"No…" Vera sighed "He only said they were missing…"
"Which reminds me." Cody knelt down beside Keldeo "We need to ask you some questions...about everything going on..." Keldeo's breathing was getting faster, his vision blurry as their voices faded. They couldn't be missing, they were right there in the medallions, but they didn't remember anything. Why didn't they remember anything!?
"Keldeo?" Cody's question snapped Keldeo back to attention.
"Can you guys transform for me?" Keldeo asked, louder than he meant to.
"Were you even listening to us?" Vera asked.
"Please!?" Keldeo pleaded desperately. Vera looked to Cody, who looked to Terrence. Cody shrugged, grabbing his medallion and transforming into Cobalion. With a groan, Terrence and Vera transformed into Terrakion and Virizion respectively.
"What's wrong, Keldeo?" Cody finally asked, having to kneel back down to look Keldeo in the eyes. Keldeo turned to see the confusion and concern on their faces too. It made him tear up again.
"...Do you remember me, Cobalion?" Keldeo leaned forward "Terrakion? Virizion? Do you remember me?" Keldeo stepped between the three of them, utter concern on their faces as they looked between Keldeo and each other. "Do you remember our time in the other world? Paradise? Kyurem? Anyone? Anything?" Keldeo's voice grew louder and louder, by the end of his questions he was beginning to cry.
"Why do you keep calling us that, man?" Terrence asked, stepping forward.
"Terry…" Vera shushed Terrence. Keldeo looked at them for only a moment, his eyes locked onto Cody now. A stern but pitying look cut Keldeo as he looked back at him.
"Well!?" Keldeo yelled.
"Keldeo…" Cody blinked, sighing deeply "It's still Cody in here. And that's still Terry, and that's still Vera…" Cody stood back up "We don't have any of their memories...if that's what you're getting at."
Keldeo's head dropped, tears falling into the sand below. It sounded like they were talking again, but he couldn't hear them. He couldn't believe it, he didn't believe it, he refused to believe it. Keldeo brushed past all of them, walking outside of the sea cave.
"Keldeo!?" Cody turned to face Keldeo, stepping forward and trying to get in his way. Terrence and Vera turned to face the two of them as well.
"Leave me alone…" Keldeo spoke meekly.
"What? Were you hoping these medallions would bring them back?" Terrence asked, stepping forward.
"I don't know…" Keldeo couldn't look at them now.
"How did you even get these?" How did you make them?" Vera asked.
"...I don't know…" Keldeo said, his voice growing quieter. He tried walking past them again, but Cody stood in his way. He knelt down in front of Keldeo, eye to eye. Keldeo blinked, then turned his gaze, he couldn't look at him right now. They were the exact same eyes.
"We just want to help you, Keldeo," Cody said softly.
Keldeo blinked, looking at Cody, something within him snapped "That's what he said…"
"What?" Cody stood back up.
"That's exactly what he said…" Keldeo kept his head low, growling. He jumped and faced the others, horn pointed at them.
"Hey!?" Cody pleaded, Vera and Terrence standing beside Cody.
"You say you aren't there, Cobalion. And then you say something like that?" Keldeo turned to Vera "The way you care…" then to Terrence "And the way you joke…" Keldeo's eyes grew watery again, but the rage in his voice made it clear this wasn't sorrow "Deep down you're all in there. I just know it!"
"Keldeo!" Terrence stepped forward with a growl "You are way out of line right now!"
"What's gotten into you?" Vera asked.
"Keldeo!" the sound of Cody's voice with the command of Cobalion's voice snapped him back to for only a moment. Cody returned to his human form, stepping closer to Keldeo "You're really scaring us. We don't know what happened but...we can get through this together. Just...talk to us. Please."
Keldeo looked at Cody, his breathing still hard and fast. A part of him really wanted to believe that, that Cody and the others were here for him. But when the others were so close to him, just behind the medallions. He didn't care, not anymore. He just wanted the others back.
Keldeo lunged forward, biting the medallion away from Cody, it snapped in the back and fell to the ground. Before Cody could even speak, Keldeo opened his mouth, hoping a beam of bubbles would distract him long enough to grab the medallion and run. To Keldeo's surprise, however, a large torrent of water blasted from him, striking Cody and sending him flying towards the others. Terrence used his side as a means to catch Cody, the wind getting knocked out of him as he struck the hard side of Terrence's body, falling to the ground motionless. A convenient time to learn hydro pump.
Keldeo grabbed the medallion off the ground and ran away in a panic, covering himself in water and launching himself up and away, out across the water. Terry attempted to summon a large stone to launch at Keldeo, but he already out or range. Vera tried to run across the water, but her speed wasn't enough, and she sunk into the water. The two called out to Keldeo, but he didn't even bother to turn around.
"I'll get them back…" Keldeo cried "I'll get them all back. We'll take down Kyurem together...and everything will go back to normal!" Keldeo didn't care where he was running, only that he was running away from them.
"Cody?" Vera had returned to her human form when she realized she didn't hope to catch up with Keldeo, neither did Terrakion. They had stayed on the beach, trying to wake Cody back up.
"Cody!" Terry shook Cody, who gasped awake and shot up, instinctively reaching for his chest, where the medallion should have been, but it was gone.
"What just happened?" Cody stood back up.
"I don't know man…" Terry began "Did Kyurem do something to Keldeo when we weren't looking?" Terry growled, his hand going through his short hair. Only Vera sat there, looking out to where Keldeo fled. She finally took off her medallion and looked at it.
"Guys, I think it's worse than that…" Vera stood back up, making the others turn to her "The Voice of Life said Keldeo had spiritual healing to do...the medallions change us into the swordsmen, and Keldeo keeps insisting they're in here." She held it up to emphasize her point "Keldeo made these...somehow some way. He created these things. Probably some kind of power he has or something."
"Okay...but…" Terry shrugged "What does that have to do with him calling us those other names, or that freakout?" he asked. Cody looked to Vera, his eyes going wide.
"You're thinking they're dead?" Cody asked, to which Vera nodded.
"What?" Terry gasped "Where did that come from?"
"Why else would he freak out when he realized we weren't actually Cobalion? Or Terrakion? Or Virizion?" Cody turned his gaze towards town "Seeking vengeance. Spiritual healing. This is revenge. Kyurem killed them." Cody looked to Terry and Vera "And their...spirits or something are in the amulets. It's why we can change into them."
"But whether their memories are actually in there…" Vera muttered to herself.
The three of them were quiet now, looking between each other waiting for one of them to say something.
"So now what?" Terry finally asked "Keldeo has a massive lead on us. And even then I don't think he's going to want to talk to us."
"And we still have finals tomorrow too." Vera said.
"How can you be thinking about that right now?" Terry yelled.
"Guys!" Cody yelled louder, making the two of them turn to him "You're both right. We don't wanna risk upsetting him more, and we still have to take care of finals." Cody rubbed his eyes "We just...pray to God he comes back tomorrow. Finish our finals…" Cody lingered. Keldeo, out there alone, grieving, wasn't going to leave his mind anytime soon.
"And if he doesn't come back?" Vera asked.
"...Then we find him. And we set things right." Cody nodded.
Keldeo wasn't sure how long he had been running, adrenaline and his own sorrow kept him running across the water, the shoreline where Cody, Terrence and Vera had been was long gone. The moon was still high in the sky, reflecting off the water and acting as a light source as he crossed the dark waters. He gritted his teeth, the cobalt blue medallion still clenched in his maw as he ran. He cursed under his breath, forgetting to try and grab the other two medallions. But he was going to figure out how to get Cobalion out of the medallion, and then the two were going to get Terrakion and Virizion free. Keldeo just needed to keep running, find somewhere safe to rest and recuperate, then figure out how to free Cobalion.
It was only now Keldeo began to slow down in contemplation. He looked back over towards where he was running. His ragged breathing the only sound that accompanied him, even the ocean water was still beneath him. He was beginning to realize how many variables there were in this idea of his. He made the medallions sure, but it was in a panic, he didn't know the first thing about how they worked exactly. And the only people who could have potentially helped him were back on a beach, after he had attacked them in his sadness.
Keldeo realized he needed to go back and apologize to them. Then they could all figure out how to bring them back out of the medallions. Keldeo could introduce his old friends to his new friends, then they could all take down Kyurem together. He smiled at the thought.
Keldeo took a step back towards the other direction, only for his hoof to stick to the water for only a moment. Then it clicked, how did his hoof stick to the water? When the gust of biting cold wind came, Keldeo knew what was happening. Keldeo hopped, gasping as a flash freeze occurred, freezing the water around him. He landed with a slight slip.
"There you are, swordsmen." Keldeo turned around to the feminine voice of his enemy, what disturbed him was the sound of Kyurem's voice just beneath, it was unlike the other times when it was one or the other. Then a figure swooped by Keldeo, with a gasp Keldeo stepped out of the way, nearly falling into the water. Finally the figure rested a couple of feet above Keldeo. The pokemon was green and black with piercing blue eyes, what stood out to Keldeo was the black protrusion that was near the ear.
"Meloetta." Keldeo growled "You're not like the incarnations from before...you actually joined with Kyurem."
"Not quite." Meloetta moaned, it was then Keldeo became aware of the dark aura that surrounded her "Master Kyurem's power is growing, Keldeo. Before he could make replicas at a fraction of their power. Now he can take over our bodies to his will." She smiled "That's why the plan now is to take you back and place you under this control."
"You're not going to break me that easily." Keldeo stomped his hoof "I'll stop you, get the other swordsmen back, and then we'll take down Kyurem!"
"Is that so?" Meloetta laughed again, holding something that sparkled in the moonlight, observing it carefully. Keldeo realized too late, in horror, it was the cobalt medallion "You've already disappointed me." she managed to get out before Keldeo enveloped himself and water and launched himself at her. With a chuckle she spun out of the way, tossing the amulet in the other direction, straight into the water. Keldeo gasped, what was supposed to be an attack turned into a desperate scramble to grab the amulet before sunk into the depths below. Keldeo grabbed it by the chain, plucking it out of the water before it sunk too far. Keldeo sighed in relief, it didn't last long when Meloetta laughed again.
"You're just a boy pretending at greatness. A wannabe swordsman hoping to live up to the memories of the others."
"Shut up!" Keldeo charged back towards her, using his new hydro pump attack to get her, but she spun out of the way again.
"And then when you finally find competent human swordsmen to rally to your cause. You denounce them and flee. All hoping to save those who are already gone. You are weaker as a result." Meloetta landed on the ice platform "And you will not last long without them.
Keldeo jumped up and landed on the ice platform, growling with his horn pointed right at her "I said shut up!"
"Then silence me, swordsman!" Meloetta spun around, her form changing to that of brown and black, an intense dark glare fixed on Keldeo.
Keldeo charged at her, horn pointed squarely on Meloetta, but like before, she spun out of the way. Only this time, she kicked Keldeo squarely in the side, sending him spinning across the ice. Keldeo stood up again, growling with the medallion still in his grasp. He enveloped himself in water and tried again, only this time Meloetta leapt over him, striking him in the back and cracking the ice beneath them slightly. Keldeo groaned, standing up once again.
"Surely that isn't all, swordsman. Even those humans scrambling to learn their powers were more compelling than you." Meloetta charged at Keldeo, preparing a spin kick across Keldeo's face. Keldeo took a step back, only to be greeted by the cold water. So instead he opted to charge at Meloetta. Her laughing was cut short when Keldeo slid and tripped her from beneath. When she stood up again, she was greeted with a face full of hoof mixed with a hydro pump.
Meloetta was sent flying off the ice platform, where she reverted to her green and black form, staying aloft in the air. With a gentle voice, swirling pink balls of energy formed around her, and then went launching at Keldeo. He was able to sidestep them all after covering himself in water and dashing, each sphere cracking the ice platform more and more. Keldeo jumped up with the burst of speed, managing to leap even higher than Meloetta, before using a hydro pump from his hooves to launch himself at her. Meloetta tried to have more energy balls to launch at Keldeo, but he came in too fast, striking with his horn at full force as he sent her back down to the ocean surface, even sending her below the surface.
Keldeo landed on the ice platform, watching the water for when Meloetta no doubt came back up for air. It was then he heard the sound of cracking from behind him. The fighting had caused the ice platform on the water to weaken and break. What's more, Meloetta resurfaced in her orange and black form, breaking the ice completely before returning to her green and black form.
"I suppose desperation breeds creativity." Meloetta snarled, using her pleasant voice to summon more balls of energy that she launched at Keldeo. Keldeo side stepped out of the way of each of them, enveloping himself in water for extra speed. His grip on the medallion was tight as he tried to close in for the attack. Meloetta smiled and flew up, and Keldeo failed to notice the energy balls came from behind and struck him up into the air. Meloetta quickly transformed to deliver a kick that sent Keldeo slamming back down into the ocean water. Meloetta transformed back, floating just above the water's surface.
"Much good your trick to walk on water is doing you now, isn't it swordsman?" Meloetta laughed darkly "Doesn't work when I spike you into the ocean…-?" she began, only now realizing the hurtling form of Keldeo appearing beneath the surface of the water and launching upwards at her. She was struck head on getting launched high into the air. Even as she was dragged up, she transformed, delivering a swift kick to Keldeo that caused the two to break. Despite this, Keldeo was still completely enveloped in glowing water, his hydro pump attack acting as a jet to keep him in the air.
"I'm done with this!" Keldeo yelled angrily, still keeping the medallion in his clenched teeth. He charged at Meloetta, spinning around to his hind feet to deliver a harsh kick in the chest to her, followed by a second one. Lastly, Keldeo spiked Meloetta back into the water with his water enveloped horn. Keldeo lost track of Meloetta as she splashed into the waters below. Keldeo was ready to keep the attack going, until he saw the form of Meloetta face up in the water, just floating there. Keldeo stopped glowing, releasing the water around him and landing on the surface beside her.
"I suppose I didn't give you enough credit swordsman…" Meloetta spoke softly "You are strong...and growing stronger…" She turned to Keldeo with a crooked smile "But make no mistake, you cannot defeat Master Kyurem without your Secret Sword technique. And your only chance to learn it is already gone."
"You're wrong." Keldeo spoke plainly "I'll get Cobalion and the others back, I'll learn the technique, and then I'll take Kyurem down, restoring the peace." Keldeo scowled at the laughter that followed.
"The denial...the anger I can sense within you…" Meloetta looked back towards the night sky "I can't wait to break you and make you mine…" and with that, Meloetta began singing again, only this time, her song sounded distorted. It made Keldeo's ears ring, and he knew exactly what that meant. It was a perish song.
Keldeo began to panic; was it quicker to run back the way he came towards the others, or run the way he had been, hoping that shore was closer? Keldeo looked both ways, realizing he couldn't deliberate for long, and ran along the water. He wasn't going to be able to last long because of the attack, he needed to get off the water and onto the shore, now. If he fainted while out on the water, he'd lose the medallion, and worst of all, sink and drown in the waters.
Keldeo enveloped himself in water and sped forward, his vision going blurry and his running beginning to falter. The perish song was acting quicker than he had hoped. But he could see it, the shore was closing in. He couldn't tell if it was the same he had seen with Cody and the others, but it was better than nothing. He tried his best to pick up his speed, but a wave of fatigue washed over him, causing him to trip and stumble along the water, jumping and skidding like a stone across the water. He made it out of the water, but now he had to hide, or else some random person would see him out in the open. But his body was failing him, he tried to claw his way forward on the sand, but barely budged an inch. His vision was fading, his ears were ringing, and his grip on the medallion was loosening.
That's when he saw it, the figure of someone approaching them on the beach, colors and shapes blurred together, and Keldeo couldn't tell who it was. It approached him without a trace of fear and even picked him up.
"...Cody?" Keldeo managed before finally passing out.
"Auntie, open the door!" a young man yelled outside the door to his house as he knocked. He didn't care if he was drawing attention to himself. He was struggling to carry a large creature and his lack of upper body strength didn't help. He knocked one more time before someone finally answered.
"You think you can just come back after you…-!" His aunt screamed, backing away quickly. The young man ran inside and went into the kitchen. He placed it on the kitchen table, quickly placed some towels on the ground, then placed the creature on the towels. He looked at the salt water that had stained his coat. He took it off while walking back to his aunt. He was wearing a white, long sleeved shirt underneath.
"Thanks for opening the door, Auntie," the young man said with a weak smile. His aunt was still in shock from the sight of the creature. She quickly shook her head with a frightened face
"I don't know where you found that...thing… but get that thing out of the house, now!"
The young man objected "But Auntie, it's a unicorn…I think…and you're a horse vet. I didn't know what else to do and I couldn't just leave it where I found it. You have to help it! I have no idea how long it's been outside and it's beaten badly."
"No! I don't even know if that's an animal or…-?" She began
"Auntie, just-"
"No."
"Please, just-"
"No!"
"Please!"
"…Fine!" she said annoyed walking into the kitchen. The young man followed behind with concern.
His aunt looked at the creature curiously. She could see why her nephew had called it a unicorn. It was a cream colored horse creature with a bright orange mane and a horn on its head. Shades of blue also adorned it's head "Well...it is breathing...heart rate is slow, but all these bruises, the muscles. It overexerted itself. Too much running or...whatever this thing does." she turned to the young man "Where did you find it?"
"The beach." the young man answered "After our fight I went for a walk and just...found it dragging itself to shore…" he reached into his pocket, pulling out a cobalt medallion "This was also right next to it."
"Honey? Is everything alright?" a third voice entered through the front door to the house, the young man's uncle no doubt "There's a lot of water on the walkway...and in the hallway...and…-!?" when his uncle finally walked in, he could see the two of them over some unidentified creature on the kitchen table.
"Not now!" Quinn and his aunt screamed, his uncle shrinking back into the hallway "Like I was saying...I felt like you could help it, so I decided to bring it home. I didn't know what else to do and I just...I don't know…" Jacob explained, panic in his voice, suspecting his mother wasn't too happy about bringing an unknown creature into their home.
The young man's aunt looked at him for a moment before sighing, a half crooked smile on her face "Well...you're heart was certainly in the right place. It probably wasn't going to last so close to the water…it could have drowned..." his aunt thought aloud "Still we don't know what that thing is. I don't want it in the house…" she turned to her nephew "Put it in the stables, there's nothing inside them yet and they're clean...unless you didn't…-?" she began.
"Yes. Yes, I cleaned the stables like you asked…" the young man stuffed the medallion back in his jacket pocket. Carefully lifting up the creature "I'll make sure it has all the essentials...see ya in a bit…" and with that he was back out the door again, sure to give his step-father a greeting as he passed by. Even if it was awkward, given the circumstance.
"Stay safe," the young man's aunt mused. The uncle finally stepped into the kitchen, sure to avoid the trail of salt water on the floor.
"So…" the uncle began "What happened?"
"Well...it was almost normal." she began "I told him he either had to find a job that gave him more hours or go back to school. Then we fight, he storms out...then he comes back with...that!" she sighed, sitting down in a chair by the table, grimacing as she realized some cold salt water got on it.
"Well who knows. Maybe a task like this over the summer could be good for him. Give him some ideas on what he wants to do with his life?" the uncle offered "You remember how he lit up whenever you'd tell him stories about when you were tending to horses, and that thing looked like a horse...ish?"
"You think?" the aunt chuckled "Maybe you're right. Maybe I can lighten up on that for now...at least until that thing is out of the house. It could give him some ideas on what to do with himself." the uncle nodded, leaning in to kiss her cheek as he stood up, already undoing his tie and oxford.
"I just hope Quinn knows what he is doing…" the aunt mused, standing up to join her husband.
Quinn had a hard time getting the barn doors open, due to the lack of upper body strength coupled with holding the unconscious unicorn. He finally managed to get the door open, turning towards the first stable that he could manage and placing it on the ground. Even at this time of night, there was enough heat that he mused this thing would be safe. He combed his long brown hair out of his face, cursing the ponytail that wasn't doing it's job properly. He took his jacket off, grabbing the medallion out of his pocket and inspecting it carefully. His mind raced at the idea of what it could be, but he opted to rest the medallion on a stool beside the unicorn creature. He watched the creature for a little while, watching it slowly inhale and exhale, it seemed at peace otherwise though.
That's when Quinn felt it, there was a vibration going off in his jean's pocket. He fished out his phone and pulled it out, realizing he got a notification; it was a friend request from Cody, a friend that he had made online outside of a gaming guild he was a part of. He happily added him and began texting him.
"Hey man. Had a crazy night tonight. But good to hear from you. What's up?" Quinn texted.
"Hey man. Had a crazy night too, not in the fun way." Cody admitted.
"What happened?" Quinn leaned against the barn wall, one eye still on the unicorn creature. There was a long pause before the answer came through.
"Well, I had a falling out with a friend. Got hit hard in the gut, and they stole something from me..." a pause in the text "I mean they gave it to me in the first place so like...they took it back, but like...it still hurt." Cody said.
"Of course." Quinn replied "And damn, I'm sorry that happened. I hope you two can at least patch things up soon."
"I hope so too. For their sake..." another pause in the text "So what happened to you? What's making your night so crazy?"
Quinn looked at the unicorn creature, realizing that it was going to be a difficult time saying he found something as crazy as a unicorn on the beach. He paused before typing again "I found an injured animal. Gonna try and take care of that." he said, technically true.
"Oh wow." Cody texted "What animal?"
Quinn cursed under his breath "Horse." he responded quickly
"...You found a horse?" Cody asked.
"Yeah...plenty of wild horses out here." Quinn lied. It was over the internet, how was Cody ever gonna find out?
"Oh well alright then. Good luck." Cody replied.
"Thanks." Quinn texted back quickly "I'm gonna get going and take care of the horse. Have a good night, man." Quinn looked at the chat box "And Cody, I'm sure you two will make up soon."
"Thank you, Quinn. I hope so. Good night." and Quinn saw Cody go offline. Quinn put his phone back in his pocket. Looking back at the unicorn creature.
"Here I am thinking this was going to be another boring summer." Quinn laughed, standing back up and stepping out of the barn.