There's little much to say beyond the fact that this story is moving at a faster pace. We're very nearly to the end of the second act. So, time for Chapter 17!
Chapter 17
A Lake
No words were spoken on the exit from the desert. That didn't surprise Juliana.
Over and over, the events replayed in her head like a reel, from the strange Donphan to the hole that was undoubtedly an entrance to Area Zero, no matter how far removed from its location. The phone call from Professors Sada and Turo had only made that worse, putting Arven in the most contemplative state she'd ever seen, and leaving Gloria all but fuming. It didn't help that Nemona was rather pensive, as well.
Kofu's question stuck out like a sore thumb, giving Juliana little else to think about as the end of their arid, sandy journey came in sight. Something was happening in Paldea, all right, but what that was or what was behind it could only be the source of speculation. More than once, it made Juliana examine Koraidon, but other than his overwhelming fear towards the Pokémon that had appeared, he revealed no answers.
Are you from Area Zero? she thought as they walked. And if you are, why wouldn't the professors want you back there? Or any of us?
"Senorita," Kofu's gruff voice called, interrupting her thoughts. They had pulled to the back of the line, with their other three companions making a slow, but deliberate, walk for the desert's exit. It was clear and easy now with the sandstorm gone, so Juliana left them to their own devices so Kofu could address her. "I was wondering if I might borrow that Kilowattrel of yours to send a message ahead of us to the Porto."
"Oh," Juliana uttered. She looked up to the sky, where Kilowattrel spread his wings and looked down at her. He still had the familiar look he always had pre-evolution. "Uh, I love him dearly, but he might get distracted."
"No worries. It's just a short distance away. I'd just rather us be prepared when we get there tomorrow."
"Mm. All right. Kilowattrel, you got that?" Kilowattrel squawked and dove, presenting himself on the sand where Kofu attached a note to his leg.
"Find a captain. He's got a beard like mine."
"Kwat!" Kilowattrel appeared to understand, taking a single flap of his wings to stir up sand and take off into the setting sun. All Juliana could do was trust in him, and hope the oppressive mood on their party wouldn't delay their arrival the following day. Kofu slapped her on the back and the pair made to catch up with all speed.
Their journey didn't take long. Thanks to the removal of the sandstorm, their path was clear and unimpeded. All they had to do was keep an eye out for any displaced Pokémon, slowly coming back to their senses in the newfound security of the desert. That wasn't a tall order, and by the time the sun had almost set, they found themselves passing by the once lost markers, through an arch and onto the grassy fields that ran towards the coast.
"Let's make camp!" Kofu announced with vigor and glee. No one quite matched him, but Nemona was at least willing to help Juliana set up some tents. Not even Gloria, usually so responsible, was willing. She flopped down on the grass with her notebook and a pen in her hand, scrawling furiously as if possessed.
The one Juliana remained most concerned for, however, was Arven. He definitely didn't seem himself. Though he set up all his cooking gear as usual, the gusto was gone. His hair drooped in front of his eyes, and not a sound left his mouth as he began to chop up the ingredients needed. Crocalor watched him, occasionally looking over to Juliana in worry, and she shared in it.
Ironically, it was Kofu who broke the tension of his silent ingredient preparation.
"Vaultin' Veluza, you tryin' to mangle that food, muchacho?" Arven was drawn out of his state, blinking more than a few times until he realized that Kofu was, in fact, talking to himself. "Ya can't go choppin' a primo ingredient like that Herba Mystica with such rough vigor. It's gotta be gentle. Like cradlin' an Igglybuff or a Pichu."
"Kor?" Koraidon called. His snout turned up to the air, but Juliana lowered it down.
"No, food isn't ready," she told him. He was disappointed, and turned back to nap, right next to the slowly breathing Mabosstiff. Seeing the state of Arven's partner only brought his own mental state into sharp relief. "Arven, are you okay?"
It was the dumbest of questions; she knew he wasn't. She had to ask, though. Arven looked over to her and emitted the biggest sigh she'd heard that night, and that was in a group of Gloria and Nemona, both off in their own little worlds. Contemplating his response, Arven placed his knife down. "Not sure."
"Wanna talk?" He didn't answer. His eyes would shift over to his phone, dead on the table, and it was clear where his thoughts were lying. "Arven, you've been there for me. And I-I know I'm not great at being there for you but if you want to talk, then…I-I'll listen."
There was another pause. Arven picked up the knife again. He chopped into a cucumber, and then a tomato, the juices flying out and spitting on the fire. Crocalor jumped, and Kofu looked at him with alarm when he moved to the Herba Mystica. There was hesitation. "I thought I hated them."
"Your parents?" Arven nodded. On the outskirts of camp, Nemona looked up, still lost in thought, but listening as though she understood something in Arven.
"They're always so focused on research and Area Zero. I told you that." Juliana nodded. Arven's hand began to shake, hovering over the golden herb they had worked so hard to procure. "And the way they just ignored my questions, yelled at us to stop, only calling when it suited them, it made me want to hate them even more!"
"Croca!" Crocalor's shout was one of warning as the knife came down. Yet Arven showed control. Instead of a roughshod chop, he was easy on the herb, pruning and trimming until the leaves came off with beautiful golden flakes.
"But there was something at the end there, it reminded me of when I was a kid. Before all this. Before Mabosstiff got hurt, and before Koraidon. Something that reminded me of what it was like to have my parents." Arven began to heed Kofu's advice, gently chopping at the Herba Mystica until it, and the other ingredients, were all prepared. "Maybe that's the real reason I've been hunting this down. Just some selfish excuse to get closer to them. To prove something to them. To say we overcame Area Zero!"
Arven lifted the knife high into the air like a torch, then gave a bitter chuckle. Juliana stepped forward, but hesitated to touch him. Her hand lingered, and then dropped. The way he put it felt all too familiar. And when she looked across to meet Nemona's eyes, it felt like she was seeing the same thing in a different way.
She wanted none of that.
"And do ya feel you're closer?" Kofu asked. Arven's arm went limp, the knife slicing the air with it.
"Honestly, I don't know if that's a treasure I can ever attain. But it must mean something," he answered. As if finding peace with that, Arven placed the knife down, slapped his cheeks, and focused on the ingredients and meal in front of him. "So, I'm gonna focus on the treasure I can! Mabosstiff, give me a moment and I'll whip up the Quintet Special!"
"Quintet Special?" Gloria asked, the humor of the moment bringing her back to them. "What's up with that?"
"Well, we only got this one because of the five of us! And if it's from all five, then Mabosstiff is gonna get five times the power!" Juliana somehow couldn't find fault with that logic. She pumped her fists. "All right, Juli, get me some more spices from my bag. Mr. Kofu, I could use some advice."
"And I'm happy to give it. Let's start by sautéing that herb before we throw it in the stock." Arven bowed, an apprentice before a new master, while Juliana dug deep into his bag. She pulled out any and all spices, unsure of just what he'd need to create a succulent dish. Gloria spent her time laughing, but Nemona just watched, all the events in the desert giving her something to think about. "Now remember, this one's a bit sour, so we'll want to make the dish a bit sweeter to counterbalance that."
"Ah, I forgot to think of that. Little bit of ginger, then. Crocalor, turn the fire up just a pinch hotter." Watching the trio at work, Juliana sat down, feeling a touch better about how everything was turning out. In his element, Arven looked to smile brighter and work with a great fervor and invigorated enthusiasm. Kofu would guide him here and there, but the work was all mostly Arven's, something that came through at the smell of soup and bread, ladled into the bowls on the table.
"Not bad at all! If you ever need work in my restaurant, just apply! Ha ha ha!"
"Might take you up on that offer, once the school year's finished. Everyone, time to eat!" Arven's enthusiasm covered for most of them, allowing them to dip into their soup without issue.
Juliana wasn't shocked at its worthy taste. The sour blended perfectly with the sweet in an explosion of flavor that only a meal made with such love could have managed. Gloria was particularly praising it, and many of the Pokémon cried out their appreciation for it, too. Perhaps it was a result of the herb's effect, invigorating all of them after their arduous trek through the desert. Or perhaps it was just them being able to sit at a table together and share a meal. Juliana didn't know, but she did know that when their meal was finished, there was still one bowl left.
"And this one is for you, buddy. Even just a lick." Arven knelt at Mabosstiff's side, many watching as they waited for the poor, injured Pokémon to take a lick. Koraidon showed respect, too, not daring to take a lick. They waited with bated breath until, finally, Mabosstiff tilted his head and lapped at the soup. Arven ruffled his head. "Good job, buddy."
"Boff." The cry startled Arven, enough that he fell back. Even Juliana felt the need to grip the table.
"Did…did you hear that? He barked! Mabosstiff, you barked!" The boy looked about ready to hoist his Pokémon into the air, filled with glee that spread over the campsite. Mabosstiff sensed that energy, and Juliana saw his paw try to move, only to fall back down to the ground. "Hey, don't worry about that. You're close! I can tell you're almost fighting fit!"
"KORRRRAI!" Koraidon's roar shook the very earth, the Pokémon directing it right at Mabosstiff. The dog attempted to blink at such an assertion, but could only yet manage fluttering eyelids.
"Looks like even Koraidon's rooting for him," Juliana said.
"Then let's not disappoint! Tomorrow, we're getting into Casseroya!" As one, the pair lifted their arms into the air. It was a cheer that didn't fade, joined by Gloria's chuckle and Kofu's boisterous laughter. Disregarding Nemona's attitude and uncharacteristic silence, the joy over Mabosstiff's progress buoyed the entire camp well into the next morning.
A spring was certainly put in Juliana's step, watching Arven's back as they marched down the calming path to Porto Marinada. The storms rolled off in the distance, but they held little concern for that. In fact, Juliana could admit to herself that all she really wanted to care about right now was getting Mabosstiff back to normal, all to see the same joy Arven exuded last night.
To that end, their destination became more important than ever, the quintet taking their first steps into Porto Marinada around midday.
Untouched by the storms and sand, its tranquil nature at first overwhelmed Juliana. Walking down the hills and steps, she was hit by how utterly ordinary it seemed. Sure, it was a port town with what looked like a thriving marketplace, but that was no different from so many other towns she had visited around Paldea. The sea lapped at the shore, but it was a calmer wave than those around Levincia. The people there were steadier, too. Not living the high life, but an earnest and honest one all the same.
"We'll be lookin' for the marketplace," Kofu said, pointing the way to the center of town. They followed his lead, waving to the townspeople that greeted Kofu like a regular. Juliana supposed he was. "Hopefully, my message was received."
That put Juliana on watch for Kilowattrel, though he appeared nowhere to be found. She started to hope he hadn't gotten lost. Trusting in her Pokémon, however, Juliana absorbed more of the town, the people earnest and hardworking just to get through their day. In a bay off to the side was a boat, the words "El Capitan" written upon it in faded gold letters. There were some Pokémon on board, with others near the front, clearing away debris that had washed from the lake to a river and out to sea. Juliana was distracted by it a moment, but was brought back thanks to Nemona's annoying voice.
"Never thought to come this way before," she said, scratching at the freckles on her cheek. "Reminds me a bit of home. Though with more people."
"That's right, you live out near Cabo Poco with all the richy richs. Your dad's the head of a company, right?"
"I guess," Nemona said. Her shoulders shrugged, but the rest of it shrunk in. Somehow, Juliana found it in herself to pity her. "You're not the only one with parents not around."
"Sorry, didn't mean to-"
"Killlat!" The haphazard screech from the sky brought a screeching halt to the conversation. Their necks snapped upwards, just in time for Kilowattrel to descend upon Juliana and wrap his wings around her with smothering affection.
"Okay, okay! I got it! It's only been a day, Kilowattrel, come on!"
"So, it means you've gotten my message, Cruz."
"Aye, Kofu, that I did, and we be hard at work, cabron." The owner of the voice emerged from the marketplace, wearing a captain's jacket that flapped in the wind. As Kofu had said, he held a similar beard, though not the bald head and not the grays and blues that made up the Gym Leader's. Instead, he had a full brown beard with the smell of the sea. That was likely helped by the Swanna sitting upon his shoulder. An unusual sight in Paldea, everyone still took it in stride. "Good to see you."
"How's progress?"
"Your bird gave the order just fine, but we be hard-pressed in doin' anything but the gatherin'. Need's a chef's hands if ya hope to take it out to them licentious Veluza."
"And I'd say we have two right here!" Kofu claimed.
"Three, actually," Gloria announced. She stepped right up next to Kofu and Arven, though the latter looked perplexed at the captain's words. "I'm a mean cook when given the chance."
"The more the merrier! Ha ha ha!" Kofu's laugh was followed by a slap to Gloria's back, but the woman barely moved at all. If anything did move, it was all of their feet towards the center of the marketplace. "Cruz, how soon until we can shove off to Casseroya?"
"Tomorrow mornin', earliest. Though I'd imagine it'll take a time to prep all this."
"Why the morning?" Juliana asked without thinking.
"Them storms are floatin' all sorts of debris down to the docks. Gotta clear it away. You offerin' to help?" Cruz asked, a twinkle in his sea-blue eyes. Juliana opened her mouth to reply, but stopped short when she finally realized the enormity of what was under the pavilion that covered the marketplace. "Aye, it's a sight, verdad?"
A sight it was. The stalls and other stands, ranging from foods to antiques, were nothing all that different from what she'd seen before. Nor was the battle court that looked to have seen much use. What took up the bulk of her attention were the baskets of berries and manufactured meats, set up next to cooking stations, where a few of the town's chefs were hard at work, if at a slow pace.
"Vaultin' Veluza, you sure managed it!" Kofu exclaimed. He ran over, knuckling the chefs already present. "Cruz, you have my thanks."
"Thank that crazy bird. Was very persistent."
"Trrel!" Kilowattrel clearly wanted praise, still clinging to Juliana. She reached up and patted him on the head, while Koraidon roared at him in thanks.
"Well, this lot'll take the night anyway. Senoritas, might as well help Cruz with that boat." Kofu said. He cracked his knuckles, ready to dive in, while Arven moved and examined the baskets.
He sorted through the berries and all other ingredients, quickly ascertaining what they were making. It only took a moment more before he came to some other conclusion. "Wait a minute are these…? Anaphrodisiacs?"
"Ana-what now?" Nemona asked. Juliana didn't share the same sentiment.
Gloria started to snicker. "Oh, you sly bugger. You didn't mention anything about that."
"Didn't seem relevant," Kofu said. He was joining in on the laughter, both Gloria and himself doubling over in their humor. Arven looked plenty bemused, though it didn't stop him from beginning prep work. "Result's the same. Still need this food."
"And we still need that boat cleared. If you'll join me." Cruz indicated the direction of his boat, and Juliana was all too happy to follow, shaking her head. Nemona wasn't quite there, still trying to puzzle it out. After a minute of her standing, Juliana wrapped around and began to push her in the direction of the boat.
"You know, for being Student Council President, you're not very bright, are you?"
"What am I missing?" the girl asked.
"It's the Veluza's mating season," Juliana said. Nemona's eyes widened and brightened. "It's no wonder they're so agitated if something interrupted that. This can at least drive them apart. That food can quell them. I'm sure even you, a battle junkie, can understand that."
Just like that, Juliana's comment brought the frigidity returning between the two. Whatever sense of ease they had was lost. Then, something was tossed at them by Cruz on the deck, looking like poles with which to skim the water. "All right, ladies, you're not swabbin' the deck, but I need you to help Fernando and Ernesto clear that debris with Crabrawler, there. Up to it?"
There was no answer they would be allowed to give. With a quick nod of her head, Juliana stomped over to the river's edge and the gathered material there. She tapped her Poké Balls, calling her Pokémon out to help, and as she did so, Juliana looked back to the marketplace. Her pole touched to the first layer of debris, a net shooting out to collect it, but she didn't pull it up.
For some reason, looking at the marketplace, and at the two men across from her, things started to feel smaller and bigger both.
There was something in there, Crabrawler scuttling across her field of vision, that made her feel they were all on the same team, working for some goal. At the same time, there was far more to the port than this boat, or the food preparation. There were fishers and swimmers and sellers and parents and kids and so many people that, somehow, it took being in such a small town, with everyone doing their part, no matter what it was, to realize.
"Juli, you plan to help?" Nemona's question broke Juliana's thoughts. They remained in the back of her mind as fragments, though, as she turned towards the debris. "This'll take us forever to move. Finizen, help out."
"You, too, Quaxwell." The two Water types appeared with a splash, though Quaxwell remained upright. Neither needed an order from their trainers. They greeted Crabrawler and began to lift out all that had washed ashore. Juliana, meanwhile, stood next to Nemona, the two girls attempting to skim everything out that they could. It was a harder task for Juliana than her older…companion? Rival? She wasn't sure quite what to call Nemona anymore.
But for the first time in ever, the two somehow stood side by side, doing the same thing. They couldn't say a word, or maybe words weren't needed. Maybe this was all they needed, after all; a chance to be, instead of moving towards their own endless pursuits. Lost in that very thought made Juliana work harder, sometimes getting into the water to help Quaxwell pull away some of the plastic and metal, or even driftwood.
The work was toiling enough that they barely finished by the time sundown rolled around. There was still debris drifting in, but the girls chose to take their break, resting up for the journey they would be taking tomorrow. Resting on the grass, Juliana could hear Quaxwell and Nemona's partner Finizen splashing about in the river. They, however, were watching the sight of everyone cooking and preparing the shipment they needed. Juliana leaned back, staring up at the stars. She reached for them, drawing the attention of Nemona next to her.
"So…" Nemona said, leaning forward on her knees, "you met Larry."
"Mm," Juliana responded. "Battled him, too."
"Thought those were pointless." She didn't dignify that with a response. Nemona sighed. "Hey, about the desert. I'm sorry for almost…"
"Nemona, it doesn't matter. Okay?" Already feeling the conversation had taken an awkward turn, Juliana stood and stretched. She still felt she could grasp the stars if she tried a little harder, but pulled back. "Right now, I really just want to see that storm taken care of."
"For your dream? Is that all this is?"
Do you really want to live life separate from everything else?
Juliana shook her head, and when she looked up, she found she could only see Arven, emerging from the pavilion with a sweaty, exhausted face. "Rest up, Nemona. We're heading into the storm tomorrow."
They left it like that, cold as ever, as the night deepened around Porto Marinada. Nor did they say anything to each other the rest of the night. Most of them didn't, too exhausted from the day's hard work. Still, all of them were up bright and early to board Cruz's boat at the crack of dawn.
"Looks like ya did good, Kofu."
"Likewise! Sure you're up for this, my friend?" The two men slapped each other on the back, like some secret code that no one else shared. Everyone else couldn't care less, though, focused instead on the river ahead. Some of Cruz's workers helped to load the food on the boat, a pungent smell wafting from them. Nemona all but recoiled and threw up over the side of the boat, leaving Arven to pat her back. Juliana was half-convinced it was more a result of heading into a storm with possible thunder and lightning.
"Is it going to work?" Juliana asked Gloria as the woman boarded. "Or will the effectiveness be reduced, since it's a day old?"
"Not sure, to be honest," Gloria said. In her shrug, her notebook fell out of her pocket and flopped on the deck of the boat. Juliana bent to pick it up. "The ingredients were still plenty pungent, but I'm no expert on Veluza."
"It's better this way," Kofu said, thumping his chest. Cruz had stepped away to the helm of the ship. With a call from Swanna, the engines turned over, indicating they were ready to get underway. "If it was yesterday, the Veluza would be on us like Mothim to a flame. This way, they might not smell us comin', and we can make a quick delivery. Your Water types ready?"
"Fini fin!"
"All right, then! Capitan, let's set out to Lake Casseroya!"
"Aye aye, cocinera!" The boat juddered forward, bucking all of them with the sudden kick of the engine. Gloria and Juliana held to the rail, while the Nemona and Arven pair were nearly chucked over the side. Koraidon, of course, held no such concerns, standing near the front of the boat and roaring off into the distance. It was a wonder he hadn't eaten the food, but Juliana supposed the odor had something to do with it.
The boat began to move up the river, sloshing through what little flotsam remained and beating its path towards the lake. Juliana watched it a moment, realizing that the storm didn't quite cover the whole lake, giving them some time to be prepared for their delivery mission. On the sides of their vessel, Quaxwell and Finizen swam, while Corviknight and Kilowattrel were in the skies above, keeping a watch on the dark rumbles.
Hoping to keep her mind engaged while they waited, Juliana turned to the notebook she had picked up, and the portrait of a person within. They looked, somehow, familiar, at least in the eyes. The rest of the face didn't match up with that, but there was something about the way they was drawn, as if with equal parts loathing and affection. Rough lines in some places, and soft ones in others. Still, she couldn't put her finger on where she'd seen such eyes before.
"Hey, Gloria, is this the person that left the dark legacy stuff behind? Like, some famous person in history?" Gloria swiped the book back before one could blink. "Sorry."
"Might've been," Gloria answered, ignoring the apology entirely. "I've seen the name. Hard to ignore it being written over and over, but I've not seen it mentioned anywhere in Paldea. Unless it's in Area Zero, of course, but it's not like I've been. Either way, they're long since dead, and I don't think they'd be mentioned anywhere but here. That's why I'm looking for what they left behind. Or who. Legacies are often inherited, right?"
"Who are they?"
"If the writings aren't delusional, the name is-"
The boat hit a rough patch, sliding over some shoals and causing each of them to hang on for dear life. Kofu appeared to yell something at Cruz, who shouted right back. Damage was already done, though, and Gloria pocketed her notebook without saying anymore. She preferred to lean over the railing and watch the rippling waters below. With the conversation tabled, Juliana picked herself up and decided to look at the lake upon which they had now entered.
In that moment, it stole her breath away, for she could see everything.
The feeling she had had the day before returned tenfold to her, making Juliana's heart ache for something she never quite knew she was missing. But here, on the boat in the middle of Lake Casseroya, it felt like it was consuming her. No matter which way she turned, she could see something new.
An autumnal forest lay one way, soft and inviting with its golden boughs. Next to it were the great peaks of Mount Glaseado, covered in a perpetual snow. It was a harsh world that contrasted what stood right at its side, but was part of it nonetheless. Further on were rolling plains with hills that showed a soft breeze. There were swirling sands of the desert, and broken stones that led to deep caves. Rippling waters and shorelines showed a constant ebb and flow.
And in all of this, Juliana suddenly felt small.
But at the same time, she felt like a part of this piece of Paldea that showed all of Paldea.
"Amazing…" she breathed. It was like opening her eyes for the first time, taking in the world around her. At her breath, Arven pulled away from Nemona, who looked to have recovered enough. The two shuffled over, joining her at the railing and looking out at everything as well.
"I know we're not," Arven said, his voice low with wonder, "but sights like this almost make you feel like you're in the center of the world."
"Makes you really realize there's a lot out there."
"Yeah…" Juliana admitted. She reached forward, gripping the railing and swallowing. There was so much out there, of which she was only a very tiny part. A world so much larger than the one she'd lived in, each with their own lives and struggles. It wasn't part of hers, yet it existed with hers all the same. And for the first time, she felt like she could truly see it. Not the veneer of some tunnel she was following, or a track someone else laid before her, but the infinite possibility of forever. And perhaps… "The thing I'm looking for."
"So, you three guppies are finally seeing it." Kofu appeared behind them, startling all of them into almost falling over. His presence was like that of the storm, encroaching and overshadowing all of them. "Finally seeing the world for what it is instead of what ya want it to be."
"H-how do you mean?" Nemona asked. He slapped her heartily on the back.
"I saw how each of ya keeps going for yer dreams," the Gym Leader said. He looked ready to take them all in a great hug, but held back. "Nemona, ya love nothing but the battle. Arven is focused on healing his friend. And Miss Juliana is on a one-way track. But really, no matter how hard ya try to convince yerself those things will give you purpose, you're really looking for the same thing that's got nothin' to do with that."
"And what's that?"
Kofu winked. "A place to belong."
Juliana thought back, all the way to two nights prior, and the thing she, Arven and Nemona appeared to share. Arven's hope to be closer to his parents. Herself chasing after hers. Nemona's comments on hers being absent. Juliana even found herself thinking of Penny, the girl shut away, perhaps looking for the exact same thing.
Kofu wasn't wrong. Juliana scoffed.
"How do you even know if you've found it?"
"Mm, good question. Maybe the answer is different for everyone, but I know it's something you'd fight tooth and nail to keep," Kofu said. He joined Juliana at the railing and smiled down at her. His smile didn't linger, soon passing on to Arven and Nemona. "It's something genuine, after all."
"Gen…uine…?"
"When you belong, it's a place where you shed all shallow desire. It's deep, hearty, fulfilling. Like sitting at the same table and sharing a meal. The more you share, the deeper it becomes. The more fulfilling." Juliana found her brow furrowed. Kofu slapped her on the back again. "You're just taking up one seat at a table. But what makes the meal isn't the food. It's the people and the Pokémon, you know? Open yer heart to them, letting go of all your own selfish ambition, and you'll find you won't want to let go."
It sounded so eerily similar to what Serena had said. An open plea to do more than stay in her own little corner of the world. Juliana looked back and caught Nemona's eyes. Perhaps, loathe as she was to admit it, they were both seeking that from one another: genuine connection.
They both wanted to use their paths to reach something so far beyond them, something that could only exist in between them. And standing there was the one person who needed them most. Arven remained pensive, but the quirk of a smile on his face said he understood everything Kofu was saying. Juliana balled her fists.
Just because it was a short time doesn't mean it wasn't real.
It is real, Juliana thought. I want it to be real. I want to…
"I want to find my dream," Juliana said, earning a quirked brow from Kofu. "But…I want to see Arven's dream, too. After everything we've been through, Mabosstiff deserves to be healed."
"Aye, there's the spirit!" A sudden rumble was felt, and the humidity in the air increased. Koraidon gave a low roar, causing each to turn in the direction of the clouds that were sliding overhead. "Looks like you might get yer chance. All right, stations!"
"Stations?" Nemona asked, utterly perplexed. Juliana didn't want to admit that she felt the same. "Are we battling them?"
"No, you numpty," Gloria said, knocking the girl on her head. She gave a nod to Corviknight, and both he and Kilowattrel started to circle, scouts looking for the disturbance to the water below. "The food requires careful handling or we lose what makes it work. If it touches anything but the water, the Veluza won't go near it. Right, Kofu?"
"Aye."
"Why not just knock 'em all out?" Nemona asked. Kofu gave his usual enthusiastic guffaw as a response to that.
"Cause then Lord Dondozo won't give us the time of day! Now, get ready."
"Nemona, you're with me," Arven said, dragging Nemona off to the side. Gloria took the other side, but Juliana paused. She approached Kofu quickly.
"What happens after? Once we've calmed the Veluza?"
Kofu winked yet again. "Oh, you'll see. Are ya ready for a fight, muchacha?"
It felt like more than just a warning, but a challenge. Her muscles tensed, something telling her they had already started what would lead them right to the final Herba Mystica. The very air tingled with it. As if her claiming she'd see Arven's dream true meant that they were about to be tested for that. Testing their connection. Juliana found her hand on her Poké Balls. From the choppy waters below, Quaxwell looked up at her.
Be ready. Juliana nodded. At Gloria's call, she moved over to work with her. The woman handed her a box, full of the pungent meal that looked to be some marinated berry jelly mixed with what could only be considered Veluza's favorite meal. None of it looked appetizing.
"Juliana," Gloria said, holding up one of the precious packages, "we're careful with these. I need to put one last ingredient in. Then I'm tossing it to you, and you to the lake."
"Quaxwell will do his part."
"No doubt. Let's make this quick. Cause I don't think that storm will make it easy for us." There was no doubting that. No sooner had she said it than the ship pulled in towards the storm. Rain began to fall, plinking off the boat. Swanna took flight to join the other birds in the air, and in seconds, the entire crew of El Capitan was soaked.
The falling rain hit the surface of the lake, creating a mist that obscured almost all other surroundings. Had Cruz been a less capable captain, they would likely have run aground, but with the mastery of years in his craft, the man avoided shoals and islands, big or small, with the kind of dexterity needed in needlework. Up high, the storm showed no signs of ceasing, and the more Juliana peered through the mist, the more she was able to see how unnatural the clouds looked, originating from a source they were fast approaching.
"Kila!"
"Here they come!" Kofu shouted. He sounded as if he was having the time of his life.
"Vela! Vela! VELUZA!" The sharp, hissing cry of the fish grated on Juliana's ears, and she leaned over the side. The water was churning, gnashing and bubbling. To anyone unaware of the situation, it might have looked as though the lake was boiling, but even the slightest scrutiny revealed the school of Pokémon moving at fast pace.
"Juli, go!" Juliana turned, her wet braid slapping her face, just in time for Gloria to toss the first of the packages to her. Across the other side, Nemona and Arven were doing the same. With the package in hand, Juliana quickly tossed it over the edge.
"Quax!" Quaxwell leapt from the water, bringing the bladed edge of his feathers across the package. It split, the contents tumbling to the water, their pungent scent washed away in the rains.
"All right, keep it moving!" Juliana called over the side. Quaxwell nodded, kicking off the side of the boat and putting distance between himself and their delivery. It was a good thing, too, as the Veluza appeared in all of their gray and purple glory, a mass of them descending upon the foods with hisses and snaps. That, however, was only a small part of them.
"Next!" Gloria shouted. The package followed, and Juliana moved to toss it, only for the boat to rock. "Crap, they figured it out."
"Aye, we're in it now! Deep in the Titan's territory!" Kofu howled, looking far too at home in the pouring rain. The ship rocked again, a whole mass of Veluza ramming it.
"Any more of that and we'll be the food! Kilowattrel, special delivery! Quaxwell, fend them off."
"Come on, Finizen!"
Kilowattrel dove. Juliana tossed their package upwards, and the bird caught it. He dove on the lake, causing some Veluza to scatter in fright from the appearance of the bird. There was no snack on Kilowattrel's mind, though, as he crushed the package and delivered the contents above the water. Some of the Veluza peeled away, while others remained.
"Well!" Quaxwell sliced through the water, an aquatic movement that brought an Aqua Cutter across their bodies. They tumbled away, with yet more going for the next package that Juliana heaved over the side.
"How many more?"
"Enough," Gloria answered. She wiped her hair out of her eyes, and as she did, Juliana saw the grin on her face. Something about the crazy situation was eliciting excitement within her. "Keep the rhythm! We're almost at the center now."
Juliana could see that, a positively writhing mass of Veluza looking like shadows in the deeps of the lake. Or perhaps there was a great shadow, right underneath it. She couldn't be sure, and in its mystery, she paused.
"JULI!" came Nemona's shout.
Juliana spun on the spot, facing a Veluza that vaulted from the water, sharp teeth exposed. She backed up, slipping on her feet and nearly dropping the package. Some of it was lost, but she held on. The Veluza was still coming straight at her. To defend herself, she threw an arm up, while her other tossed the package over the side, where Quaxwell nailed it. The Veluza also nailed its mark, teeth snapping shut on her arm.
"AAAAGH!"
"Finizen, Aqua Jet!"
"Fin!" The dolphin shot from the water with utmost alacrity. He hammered into Veluza, dislodging it from Juliana's arm, though not without the blood and bruising from it. The Veluza flopped on deck for all of a second before Finizen brought it back over the edge and into the water.
"Hey, Juli, you okay?"
"Uh, Nemona?!" Arven's worried shout was accentuated by the boat rocking again. Their delivery process had been abandoned, and the Veluza were taking full advantage.
"Don't worry about them. Kofu, are we there?"
"Aye. Let's deal with these vaultin' Veluza once and for all. Cruz, short stop!"
"You got it, but make it quick! We can't be sitting Ducklett for long!"
Juliana winced when the boat suddenly stalled. The Veluza rammed the boat again, followed by a wave that was set on pushing them towards a chain of larger islands. Nemona was at her side, helping her up, but she hissed on any pressure to the wound. The two of them taken out of the fight, Juliana could only watch as Gloria, Arven and Kofu bundled up the last of the food. They didn't have much longer. Another Veluza shot out.
"Korai!" A red blur shot from the front of the ship, smashing into the Veluza and knocking it overboard. Koraidon landed, almost falling off the deck, but appearing alert. More than that, it gave them their chance.
"Corviknight, you brave reckless friend, you ready?"
"Corna!"
"Right to the center of the storm then!"
"Heave-ho!" Arven shouted. He, Kofu and Gloria put their hands on their final package and all of them lifted it high into the sky. Some of it spilled out, tumbling uselessly on the deck, but the rest was caught by Corviknight, his talons sinking in. With a great flap of his wings, he dove into the storm.
"K-Kilowattrel, run defense."
"Watt!" Kilowattrel dove after his avian friend. The boat rocked once more, and many Veluza suddenly leapt into the air, giving no time for defense. Koraidon was the only one moving, huffing and snorting as he rammed into some. Quaxwell soon appeared, along with Finizen, and the group of humans backed up, each with their backs to another in a circle. Come on…
The Veluza were relentless, snapping and rushing and tearing at the boat. Some parts of it came off, though given Cruz's staid attitude, it wasn't anything serious. All of them turned, trying to keep the Veluza and their fliers in sight. Some of the Veluza leapt high, hoping to reach Corviknight, but Kilowattrel blitzed across them with Spark, rending them a sparking, flopping mess that fell to the water.
Then, Corviknight was over the shadow. Juliana held her breath. The talons released and the package dropped.
Many Veluza leapt for them, prone on the deck.
SPLOOSH!
The food hit the water, the net breaking and sending the anaphrodisiac all over the lake's surface. There was a momentary breath, and then the Veluza were on it. Their shouts and cries called all of the others, redirecting themselves from the boat to consume the food. Still, none of them breathed, and the Pokémon remained tense, as well.
Slurping, gnashing and other horrible sounds filled their ears, the water continuing to be thrashed about. Then, finally, the sound died down, all of the food vanishing as if it had never been there.
They remained waiting.
It took a moment, and then Kofu made a great exclamation. "Aha! Sun!"
Juliana looked up, cradling her arm. Water still poured down her face, but she quickly felt it begin to dry. She wasn't the only one, all of them soon seeing the crack in the clouds. A shaft of sunlight fell through, kissing the island they were now upon. In the waters, the Veluza dispersed, as if satisfied, just before the largest beam hit the shadow where they were once resting. The clouds began to move aside, turning the sky blue. There was still a rumble off in the distance, but in the enormity of that moment, no one cared.
All that mattered was the crisp blue sky and the beautiful blue lake that reflected it.
"We…we did it." Nemona sounded in shock, though perhaps moreso because she had done so little battling. She looked at Juliana and at the wound she had sustained. "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Juliana said. She turned away and towards the cabin where their things were held. With a grunt of pain, she took her stuff and exited, jumping down to the island. The others were quick to join her, as she had barely wrapped her wound when they touched to the soaked sands. "So, now, what?"
"Now we find a Titan!" Arven announced, punching his fist with his palm.
"Oh, you've no need for that," Kofu said. He was sharing a grin with Cruz, who looked ready to set camp on the island at the furthest point from the shadow. "We were seeking an audience with Lord Dondozo the entire time."
"Say what?"
The island shook. The waters stirred, but not like the writhing mass that the Veluza had created. Instead, it was one great pulse of water that erupted like a geyser. Juliana's eyes widened, nearly slipping on the grass as the great shape emerged where once there was shadow. It was a gigantic fish Pokémon, looking similar to a Whiscash with great whiskers and a massively elongated body. As it fully emerged, showcasing its size as that of two island lengths, Juliana did fall back, right up against Nemona, who had frozen.
"TATSI!"
"Yes, yes, Lord Tatsugiri, I know," Kofu said, chuckling jovially. "No worries, I saved some for you. Though I take it you're still enjoying that snack of your own."
"Tatsi tats!" Atop Dondozo, the great blue and white catfish smacking down into the water, was another Pokémon. It was large enough, though hardly something befitting the size of a "Titan". Instead, it looked puny next to Dondozo, colored pink and looking more like something Dondozo would swallow before letting it ride atop. Kofu didn't seem all that surprised, though, taking the last of the food meant for the Veluza and tossing it high. The Pokémon with Dondozo sprang up, grabbing it and falling to the grass. It nibbled on the food. "Tasu!"
"Doooooh…" Dondozo's mouth opened wide, as if ordered to, and the Pokémon tossed the last of the Veluza food into the great fish's mouth. As it opened, a glow emanated forth, however. The autumnal, telltale glow made Arven and Juliana step forward, recognizing it in an instant for what it was.
"Tatsi!"
The shout brought Juliana's movement to heel. She stopped, looking down at the small dragon-like fish. It changed colors, becoming a deep yellow as it stood up and made what appeared to be fists. There was little doubt of its intent, jealously guarding the Herba Mystica that lay within its mount's mouth.
"Oho?" Kofu said, just as the other Titan puffed up in challenge. "Well, looks like you may have earned your audience with the Titans, but the other one would rather fight. Tatsugiri does tend to only recognize the strongest when considering aid."
"Then that's perfect!" Nemona said, winding her arm up and stepping forward.
"Tassss!" The hiss put Nemona on the backfoot, the girl stumbling and slipping. Kofu laughed, as per usual.
"I'm afraid Tatsugiri only has one challenger in mind. And I'd have to say I want a bit of that challenge, myself. Shake off the doldrums of these last few days!" Kofu was winding his arm, too, grinning. A Poké Ball was held in his hand, and Juliana noticed Tatsugiri nodding, seemingly accepting the terms of some agreement that she didn't even know existed.
"Wait, what?" she managed to utter. Her dazed stupor of the moment catching up with her, Juliana wasn't sure what to say. She could feel Kilowattrel land next to her, alongside Quaxwell, and could see Gloria flopping on a chair Cruz had set up. Yet all she could focus on was Kofu and the two Titans waiting there amidst the storm-soaked island. "You're not saying…?"
"What else could I be?" Kofu said. He tossed his Poké Ball up and down. "I know, it must seem like a lot so quickly. World weighing down on someone is. But you won't get that Herba Mystica unless you deal with the world. Won't help the friend you promised without it. If you really want to find something genuine, somewhere you belong, you can't just run away every time something gets tough. Gotta stand and fight it!
"So, can you do it?"
"Do it? But Juli doesn't-" Arven shushed Nemona, the sound causing the longtime companions to meet each other's eyes once again.
For a second, nothing existed except the space between them. The breath they took in tandem. Juliana swallowed. So many words bombarded her brain.
Something genuine.
Connection.
Do you really want to live life separate from everything else?
I'd say it's not a question of want, but of will. Do you have the will to see it through?
Juliana breathed in, and for the first time in her life, she felt herself truly step forward. Area Zero. Terastallization. In that moment, it didn't matter. All that mattered was the Herba Mystica, the final peace to the healing puzzle of Mabosstiff. Even if it took a battle to do it, this would be the least pointless thing she had ever done.
Her world became that much bigger.
Juliana looked to Quaxwell, and then Kilowattrel, and then reached down to grab a Poké Ball and hold it out. She stared Kofu dead in the eyes, and then matched it with Tatsugiri. "All right, I accept your challenge. Today's the day we heal!"
Author's Note: Veluza scared the crap out of me in the game. They come at you so fast it makes you flinch. So I wanted to sort of recreate that here. That and I wanted a sort of actiony sequence of them delivering the food to help keep the pace going. Not that that's even the most important part of the chapter. That is reserved for all the character work that finally expresses what has been at the core of this story: that all of the characters are looking for a place to belong. There's probably a lot to dig into there.
So, next up we have a Gym and Titan battle both! How will Juliana fare? If you want to find out, I ask that you review or comment (not that it'll make a difference in posting), but most importantly, Dare to Be Silly.