Without Mesprit to play any tricks it should be quite the show watching Azelf and Uxie spend their day together.

Place your bets on who will drop the emotional bombshell first.

Uxie was checking every square inch of the recently finished cabin. He was making sure every single piece of it was exactly as the manual said it should be. If it wasn't he'd ask me if we could redo the whole thing. I wasn't too bothered by it, I really needed the exercise after so many years of neglecting my muscles. Plus it was as good an excuse as any to hang out with him. Especially when no one else wanted to put up with Uxie's crazy high standards. He was just given the blueprints with the caveat that as long as he was done by the end of the day then he could do whatever he wanted with them.

He poked his head around the corner and gave me a thumbs up. "Lucky number seven gets the job done." Good thing too, because I was way too exhausted to build that thing again. I fell backwards on the grass and let out a triumphant, "Woo…"

He flew over to me and after a few moments of contemplating sat down next to me, "Thank you for your help with this. I know my preferences can be a little… specific. So this really does mean a lot."

I gave him a thumbs up, not caring at all that he couldn't see it. "No problem dude… I've been in need of a real challenge lately."

"Indeed. I say you have more than earned a break. Would you like for me to grab you something from the concessionary?" "Anything but chocolate." He chuckled and flew off, if my senses weren't as tired then I would have known better than to keep it that vague. Oh well, so long as it isn't anything too sugary I should be fine.

I don't know how long I was alone but I wasn't in the mood to count out the time like Celebi would've. I just watched the clouds and groaned at how Arceus forbade me from bringing along any handhelds to pass the time. I mean they even kept Mew distracted, how could they not be a good idea?! Seriously, how come Uxie could bring a mountain of books while I couldn't bring any games? I mean I know WHY, Uxie needs those things to stay calm around such a large crowd and the whole purpose of these meetings is to reinforce some kind of bond we're supposed to have with each other. I've just never seen anyone really leave their preferred social circles unless they absolutely had to. Usually because Arceus created some kind of buddy system we HAD to oblige. Or because of Mew's antics causing more problems. He really did start to change since that last meeting. So many of us had in ways I never thought possible yet Uxie and I were the same as always. I wonder if we were one of the reasons Arceus decided that a century was too long to wait. Knowing how wicked and cruel Arceus could be, probably…

He eventually announced his return, by handing me a single oran berry for all the work I did. "...Thanks…" He let out a mischievous giggle and then set a bowl of them next to me along with an energy drink, that's more like it. "Sorry, I couldn't resist." He sat next to me holding one of his novels, "That isn't the obscene book you were reading in private is it?" His face turned red and his head darted around as if he were looking for anyone else in earshot. "C-could you. Not mention that out loud?" I grinned at him cheekily, "Maybe if you tell me what this one's about." He gave me what Mesprit and I have dubbed 'the blinking face'. A confused expression he always made when something catches him off guard. That quickly spread into a wide smile and he sounded utterly thrilled about explaining this. Even more so than the last book.

"Oh it's more of a collection of legends and myths surrounding different Pokemon. Some are based on us, but those aren't exactly fun to read since we can just ask if those bits are true. The real fun ones are about regular Pokemon." I motioned for him to continue while munching on the berries he brought for me. He caught on and continued. "Actually, this one in particular is a favorite of mine. If you don't mind indulging me further." I nodded and made sure I told him to, "Go for it." He let out an excited squeal and just as quickly cleared his throat.

"Nature dictates that the Magikarp is destined for a life of misery.

For it is weak and cannot survive alone. Other denizens of the sea mock them.

The day comes when the Magikarp sees the challenge no other fish dares.

The waterfall, a crushing force of nature that can shatter the weak.

Knowing that if it can conquer this then it will have the strength to face anything the Magikarp accepts the challenge.

The wave is merciless and it ruthlessly batters the poor Magikarp.

It can hear its friends, the weaker Magikarp begging for it not to throw its life away.

The waves are relentless and it can already feel its strength has vanished entirely.

But does the fish's folly end? Does the current win and wash it away? No!

It braves the worst the tempest has to offer. It refuses to let nature win.

The stream tears the scales from its body, but the fish refuses to yield.

It cries out in anguish and soon the cries for it to surrender turn to cries for it to succeed.

For if one Magikarp can make the climb, then surely the rest can as well.

Slowly a white glow begins to envelop it.

Before long its body has begun to change. It can feel its strength returning. More So than it has ever felt in its life.

With one last leap it flies above the peak of the current and sees the world beyond the small pond it once called home.

It has conquered the waterfall and shed its past life.

In its place is a mighty Gyarados roaring at the heavens."

"That was WAAAY better than that last story you read." He grumbled and I could sense how badly he wanted to smack me over the head with the very novel in his hand for that comment. I sat up and gave his shoulder a light shove. "Ah c'mon. I was jesting." He held the book close to his chest and shifted about nervously.

"So why exactly is that one a favorite of yours?" He was quiet as ever. I could sense his desire to share. "Dude, I ain't gonna judge you." He breathed a hefty sigh and tightened his grip.

"Well if I am being entirely honest. It reminds me of just how astonishing you are. You look at any obstacle and take it on with every ounce of strength you possibly can. It is honestly a resolve I wish I could have."

Yeah I could easily beat something as simple as a waterfall. Wait, that isn't the point of what he was saying. He was complimenting me and it wasn't in a smart ass backhanded way either. This was a part of me he genuinely admired! I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and let him know exactly how his words hit. "Oh hell yeah! I'm the Gyarados Queen baby!" He let out an exasperated laugh and shook his head playfully. "Arceus save us from the Queen."

With a renewed fire in my belly I leapt to the sky. Taking Uxie along for the ride. "C'mon Uxie, we got work to do!" He yelped as I dragged him out of our/my break and got back to the thick of it.

The rest of the day practically flew by and we had managed to finish off everything our group was assigned to build. Thankfully building the cabin was the hard part and creating the furnishing was a far simpler task. I say simpler but Uxie still had his immensely high standards and wasn't about to settle for anything less than perfect.

By the time we were done Uxie and I still had a glimmer of sunlight left before night struck. We had both sat down to watch it, well I was at least. I'm pretty sure Uxie fell asleep with how silent he had gotten. I carefully nudged him with one of my tails. "You still up dude?" He hummed and nodded, "Just contemplating what it look like."

"The night sky?" He gave another nod, "I have been wondering how a lot of things look lately. So rarely can I open my eyes and let my guard down enough to enjoy my surroundings." Of the three of us his powers do affect him the most directly. It used to be Mesprit touching anything period robbing all emotions, but I think Arceus realized how bad of an idea that was. Not to mention how depressed Mesprit was living like that. I can still remember the Ursaring hug she gave the both of us when that drain was lifted to whenever she wanted it. I was always awesome and in control of my powers so there was no need to do anything there. Yet with Uxie, why was it that Arceus never gave him the ability to choose when he could do that? GAH! This was making my head hurt, if Uxie didn't have the answer then I doubt I was gonna find it.

That did give me an idea, one that sounded WAY better in my head before I said it out loud.

"Dude, I can describe it for you." He raised a brow and I waved it off. "Yeah, just close your eyes and let me be your guide."

…

"Forget I said that last part." He hummed once more, "Very well. You may proceed."

Crap, now I gotta try and describe colors to him… I didn't know anything about describing stuff in general. No, I could do this, just think of all those fancy colors Shaymin talks about and I should be golden.

"Well…eh it's carmine and kind of getting this darker hew on the edges something like…indigo? And uh… well that the clouds have gone all gold and…" Mercifully he put that embarrassing display to an end. Thank Arceus, in the past he absolutely would have left me to squirm. "You could have just told me it looked nice." "Well duh, but that doesn't really paint a picture for you."

"Fair point." He fell back on the grass and I figured I might as well join him. Just spend however long I could with him before we inevitably went back to hating each other. "Hey…so when you said you would not judge me. How far could I go with that promise?" I shrugged, "Far as you wanna trust me dude." "I see…Well in that case there is something very personal I wanted to share with you. I'm just…a little nervous you might tear me apart for it." That was worrying. What the hell could he possibly say that would warrant me adopting the temperament of a Gyarados?! He went completely silent at that point and I assumed he chickened out. I guess it was fair, we only just started getting friendly with each other. It would be a long while before he was going to share any of his big secrets with me. Thanks to this long silence I came to a realization.

Something had landed on my hand, specifically the one right new to Uxie…and…

How did I not notice that!?

Plain as day he was holding my hand. Well I wasn't going to stop him if he wanted to hold my hand then he was more than welcome to. Still I needed to tease him about it, "Y'know Uxie, holding my hand isn't exa-" "I love you." I sat straight up and snapped around to look at him. He was holding the guilty hand in his innocent one. His entire demeanor remained as calm and unshaken as he's always been. Yet the stiff nature of his body and subtle expression of his face told me how nervous he truly was. All I had to do was tell him that I loved him and we would be golden! So then why can't I just say it! Fine I could work out a conversation if my body refused to be direct about it. "Uxie… I-I don't-" My voice completely froze then, at the worst possible point. He lowered his head briefly then just as quickly snapped his attention back at me.

He met my hover and spoke just as calmly as he always had before. "I had a feeling that you wouldn't feel the same. I know this is a lot to burden you with so thank you for hearing me out and for letting me live." His voice betrayed how truly heartbroken he was. He bowed to me and retired to his cabin as hastily as his stoic demeanor would allow. I tried to reach out for him, telling him to stop. Except my body continued to refuse my commands. Before long he was out of sight.

What the hell is wrong with me! That was the most perfect opportunity I could have possibly asked for! And I was so weak that I couldn't even take it! Worse than that, I made him think I just point blank rejected him. Arceus what the hell am I supposed to do now?!

Azelf and Uxie might need a hug after what just happened.

As always please leave a review and have a good day.