\/

I was floating in a dark void, aware of this vast nothing. The dark background near the edges of view slowly fuzzing into shapes, but It could be my mind playing tricks.

"REMEMBER!"

I heard a voice ring throughout this place. I didn't understand.

"Remember what?" I responded.

Cackling and carnival music suddenly filled the void chamber startling me.

"What the fffuck? W- What does this mean?!" I stammered.

"Just clownin." BEEAOWW!

That sounded like an airhorn.

/\

I woke up more groggy then ever. The day didn't even start and it was bad. Rubbing the sleep from my eyeholes I stood up catching my bearings. It was still dark but the stars were being cast away to a pale blue glow. Like 5 am?

I left making sure to be extra quiet with the door. Before I knew it I was outside breathing in the fresh morning dew. It was nice to not have to explore today but I knew boredom would arrive soon.

I was gazing off at the sunrise when I realized something. I needed sand. And not just any sand. Either clay sand or terracotta. Or quartz sand. I needed glass. A chamber for the chlorine and nitrogen gas. For two steps Ill need it.

ooOoo

Rin and Frayas chatter drowned the silence. It was about noon. Terra was ignoring the other two and just staring at my stuff. I was just plotting my materials for my plan making sure my piles were in order. My knife and all my perishables were in my bag. Though I was interrupted from my musings by Terra.

"What was that big secret that had you walled off yesterday involving your stuff?"

I froze up. I didn't know how to even begin.

"Wh- well… I… im.. ᴬ ʰᵘᵐᵃⁿ." I whispered.

"What? I don't think I heard you correctly. Say again?"

"I.. I am human." I winced.

I could feel her doubt casting onto my words. Worse was the silence from Fraya and Sky.

"Im.. sorry? I cant believe that. You look normal. And humans have been gone for thousands of years."

"Its the truth. He showed me proof."

"You have proof?! Well lets see it!" She suddenly got excited. It seemed really out of character.

I started looking around. My phone was dead so dead end there. For a couple of seconds I was stumped but I remembered. The usb drives! I hope my laptop has power. I grabbed my laptop and held my breath pressing on the power button.

Nothing. The battery was dead. I sighed laying back on my bed defeated. "Looks like I cant show you. My batteries are all dead."

"Honestly, if Rin believes you.. despite how crazy it sounds, I doubt she would believe that without a good reason." Terra said.

"Same here." Fraya chimed in.

And with that things continued on like normal. Terra was messing with my screwdriver kit while rin and fraya chattered away.

As time slipped by I eventually left to meet with Lucario again. I waved everyone goodbye and I was off.

Again, I couldn't help but wonder about lucario. What was weighing him down? It had to be something huge. I made it to the beach, the waves crashing against the shore.

Lucario was nowhere in sight as expected. I sighed and got to practice. I started focusing building up a sphere. Bwoom! The familiar blue explosion in view. Having power like this made me giddy to try it out on a mission. BWOom! I shot another. Bwoom! Bwoom! Bwoom! I shot three in quick succession. Then without thinking I got fully into it. BWOOWOOWOOOWOOMMMmmm.

I shot 8 more. I was about to shoot off another before pain shot through my arms. It felt really hot, like my skin was burning. I dropped to my knees. My breathing became heavy.

"I forgot to tell you last time. Sorry. Dont overdo it. If you run out of aura, you'll most likely die."

I turned to him. "Thanks, for sure I would've shot more if you didn't stop me."

"Meh, don't get ahead of yourself. You'd pass out before that point anyway. But thats if you don't."

I sighed. Then shrugged him off. "I was only able to do 13. I should practice more."

I could feel him getting confused. "Keep in mind, other riolu cant even manage one. Your already ahead of the game. Why continue? Today and even yesterday people rest. Even criminals."

His confusion spread to me, why not continue? "I just feel like I can become capable of more. The stronger I get the more I can help right?"

"Your keeping something from yourself aren't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is there any particular reason that would make you feel weak? Because you said if you could help more. Aren't you already helping?"

I was taken aback. It was like he could see through me, To parts I didn't even notice. With the necklace on too.

"Yea, your right. My last mission I was knocked down and the team pretty much carried my weight. I don't want to be a burden, especially when it was my prerogative to do that mission in the first place."

"I see. But you will snap like a twig if you carry too much. You'll develop with time, no doubt."

I flopped onto my back falling into the grass. I noticed it yet again. He was in pain.

"Lucario.. I" I got up and ran to him, wrapping him in a hug.

"Wh!? What are you?!"

"I don't know why you always feel like this, but I want to help you! You don't deserve this!"

Lucario was holding back tears. "But.. It.. It was.."

He started bawling. (I couldn't save them. Its my fault.)

"Its not your fault!" I stated.

He sank to his knees. He started crying more and hugged me back. I couldn't hold back my own tears any longer. I started crying with him. He lost someone.

We were crying for what felt like forever. I held on until eventually Lucario felt comforted. Then I let go. He laid down on his back and I did too beside him.

"We were on a mission. The gang had set up a base. I.." he was choking back tears again." I had the idea to split up! Its my."

He started bawling. I pulled off my necklace and laid on his chest, trying to use my emotions to bring him back.

"Its not your fault! The gang members were the ones who killed them. Its not your fault."

He broke down again. This time though he was only crying for half of last time. I could feel him recovering. I felt relieved, and I hope he did too.

"Th.. thanks." He uttered.

"No problem. Thats what im here for."

It was getting close to sunset. Just before I got up to leave I looked at lucario. He was fast asleep. I don't know why he fell asleep this early but I didn't question it. What I questioned is how would he stay warm for the night?

I looked over at the tree line behind us. I got up and walked into the forest line and got to work collecting sticks and grass. Once I got enough I headed back to where lucario was sleeping.

I had pre broken the sticks so they were a good size, now I needed to contain the fire. I walked to the shore and picked up some rocks. Shells I picked up as well. After arranging the rocks and shells into a protective circle, I filled it with wood and grass. Then with force palm, it ignited and roared to life.

Lucario still didn't wake up. But at least hed be warm. I turned to leave, but stopped. I looked back at him. He had subconsciously rolled toward the fire warming up. Seeing him so vulnerable just sleeping there made me think twice about leaving.

I walked back over to the fire and sat down leaning against a tree within warmth of the fire. I looked over to the sun. It was almost completely gone. Most of the light was only coming from the fire now.

I watched as the sun went down, the moon peeking out and the fire burn down. It was pretty late before I threw on more wood for the fire. After repeating a couple times I was sure the next round would last till morning, and I fell asleep behind Lucario.

OooOooO

The sun was blasting in my face. I woke up groggy. I could smell cooked fish but I didn't know why. I was really hungry though.

"Good morning."

I turned to see lucario. He was sitting next to the fire I made. What was interesting though is he made a cooking spit. It was a tripod with fish being strung over the fire being smoked.

"Good morning."

I moved toward the fire and sat down, warming up a little bit. I felt lucario was in a truly good mood, which was a first. I guess I made the right call.

"You missed out on the guild dinner last night, so I made you breakfast."

My face lit up in response. "Thank you, it smells really good!"

"I think they are actually about done now." He got up and pulled off the fish and handed me the smaller one. I happily accepted and we got to eating. The fish was juicy and the flavour popped. I had been subconsciously avoiding meat because of a lack of spice but smoked is the way to go.

"Do you guys have salt?"

"Whats that? Ive never heard of it."

Dang. We really a Indus river valley civilization huh? Except with metallurgy? Is there like a metal pokemon? I only know like half the rules.

"Okay, take sea water and put it into a container. Leave it out in the sun until a white powder forms at the bottom after all the water is gone. That is salt. It can come from rocks too but it's easier to make it with no salt mines."

He looked quizzed about it. "What do you use that for?"

"Put a little bit on your food. Anything thats not sweet anyway. Like fish. Dont put it on something like fruit. But other than that go wild and experiment with it. It makes things you put it on ten times better."

He shrugged. "Ill have to try making this miracle powder then."

"It kinda is a miracle powder. And the way things are right now, its worth its weight in gold. You could make alot of money with that if you wanted. Make a new corner of the market. History will repeat itself heh."

"Oh, sky your here! Ive been looking.. oh. Hi lucario."

He waved at her. I threw my fish bones in the fire then stood up. I turned to lucario. He was staring intently at Rin. I guess he doesn't trust her or something.

"This is my cue to leave. Take care of yourself, for real this time okay?"

He nodded, then made eye contact with me. "Honestly, I don't know how you did it but you made me feel better. So.. just don't worry anymore I guess."

"I won't stop worrying. Your my friend."

I waved goodbye to him and left with Rin. We started walking back up the stone steps.

"What happened with you yesterday by the way? You were gone all night! And, you had breakfast?!"

I looked over at her. "Uhhh, well.. Lucario was always feeling bad so I talked with him is all."

"A conversation all night?"

"No. I just.. he fell asleep."

"He fell asleep?"

"Yea, and like.. I couldn't just leave him there. So I made a fire to keep him warm and slept over."

"Awwww, thats sweet of you! Id say thats a good reason.. though you might have made wigglytuff mad. Its a guild rule to be back after dark unless you're out on a mission."

I didn't even think about that. Yea it was written on the wall somewhere. I hope I don't get in trouble.

"Ima assume its fine. Id say yesterday would be worth it if faced with the worst consequences of the world."

"What makes you say that?" She suddenly stopped walking.

CreeeTHWACK! I was hit in the face by the guild door. I was knocked back a bit, but I was able to keep standing. "Ow." I was grabbing my jaws which got hit pretty bad. I made sure to grab the door though.

"Oh, my bad sorry!"

He was a yellow spider, and they were with a red black and white bird. They quickly passed by and looked to be in a hurry. Me and Rin thought nothing of it and we went inside.

We went straight for the cafeteria. I followed Rin inside and we were greeted by two familiar faces. We sat down at the table.

"Ok your here. Now we can discuss what we talked about." Fraya said grinning.

"Yea, sky are you listening up? This is important." Terra stated. She was also holding a half smile.

"Ok, whats the good news Im guessing?"

"Well, after the last mission wigglytuff suggested something to us. You were busy with your rock or something." Fraya stopped to scratch her ear.

"Anyway, we talked about what he said and we all agreed. We should combine the teams."

"Wait really?" My face was glowing with joy.

"Yea, we talked about it to him this morning. Normally this wouldn't be allowed, but the rules always seem to bend when it involves sky. Even A ranks aren't allowed." Terra explained.

"I can't help but wonder about what the guild master lets you off the hook for. Like last night, where did you go? Why did abra let you keep the rock? It puzzles me." Fraya stuck her chin on her paws leaning on the table.

"Well, if I could guess. I think it's because I always have a purpose for the things I do? Well even if I got in trouble for last night, Id sneak out again if lucario needed me."

"Lucario needed you? What fo-"

Terra dekopinned Frayas forehead,"SHHhh! Dont be rude."

"No I think its ok. Lucario just wasn't feeling well for a while, so I had to be there for him. And he fell asleep so I made a fire and spent the night."

"Oh, well id let you off the hook if I where sam. Thats a good reason."

Terra got up from her seat,"Ok, lets go everyone. We are doing another B rank. And a C rank too."

ooOoo

I don't remember much of the details from terras debrief, but this was hard. I had multiple enemies breathing down my neck, whats worse is I was separated. Before we entered the dungeon she said to make sure to not let anyone out of sight. But theres a heavy fog. And for whatever reason, I couldn't see aura through it.

I let off two aura spheres without breaking my pace. BWoom! I kept running through all the twists and bends made from the trees. I just had to make it to the stairs. Its a good spot to regroup, and they know im missing. I came out to a clearing and I was stopped.

"Hello?" Something squeaked out. My eyes widened. I moved to the voice.

"Hi, are you wormple?"

"Y- Yes."

"Ok, youll be safe at the guild."

I touched the badge to the red oversized worm thing and in a flash of light they were gone. Then I continued. As I did though I noticed a set of footsteps trailing me. I ignored them for now and worked to a sprint again.

Eventually I reached another foggy clearing. "Sky?" I ran towards the voice.

"Yea, its me. I already found wormple."

"You found? Im not as mad now but dont go running off like that! I was worried sick."

"Heh yea, sorry." I scratched my head. "Its just hard to see aura through this fog."

"Lets go then." Terra said.

I followed Rin down the set of stairs. It lead out into a clearing without fog. I guess that meant we were out of the dungeon. There was a lake up ahead at the bottom of a cliff we were on.

"Do we have to go back in for it?" Fraya asked.

"No I found it here!" Rin came from my right holding a bracelet in her mouth. She then attached it to her scarf.

"Ok, we can leave then. Everyo-"

I went flying and smacked against a tree, left winded. If this tree wasn't here..

"You're really going to ruin my plans like that?!" They were a purple bipedal mouse, though way bigger than me or fraya. It looked like it was wearing a kimono.

"Why did you hurt sky?! You a criminal or something?!" Rin shouted.

"Well, why would I tell you?" Rin hit them with a pulse of dark energy.

I stood up. They seemed to resist and then suddenly it pounced on rin. I charged up my hand. A blue flash of energy came from their hand, same from mine. I was too late. Rin was hit and thrown back, but the ferret thing was caught in my sphere. Bwoom!

There was alot of smoke, so I couldn't see- I was slammed against the tree held by my neck. They were fast.

"I guess Ill deal with you first."

They used purple energy on the ground lifting a rock out of the ground. I started charging up another sphere. It wrapped something around my leg but I didn't care. I thrusted my hand. "Sky, Dont!!" Rin screamed.

Bwoom! Pain painted my body. They were launched away. Out cold. "Sky, noooo!" Rin was sprinting towards me. I was confused. I won? Something tugged my leg.

I was in a feeling of stasis, like I knew what was happening before I processed it. I was falling. Sploosh! Now I was sinking under water. The pain from hitting the surface made me instantly lose my air. I was screwed.

I had to hold out with a tiny lung of air, I couldn't breathe. Is this how I die? For a moment I remembered the dream. Heh. I guess this is fate. I felt my lungs give out as I took a breath of water. And everything went dark.

Note: sorry if yall wanted something sooner. Been since march. But ye had writers blockqista and got pwned fml. It dont matter tho. I have the long story arc done n e way. Also working on character development lol. Make em less static. More dynamic yk? Also I hope that text unicode works. Tiny text lol. K bye.