Chapter Text
“Aaron, what's taking you so long?” A voice sounded from the top of it’s lungs through the Forest, but the Trees and their groaning Branches were the only ones who responded and swallowed the Voices echo. An annoyed sigh was audible, at least it was for the Trees all around. “AARON! COME ON, I’M NOT GETTING YOUNGER OVER HERE!” The Voice was more energetic this time as it cried out.
A Moment and he flinched, his Ears dropped and followed the now more energetic Voice of his…companion. Said Companion who’s bright colors were still peeking through the Trees and Bushes. A happy tune and a friendly Smile on his Face as their Eyes met each other. He sighed. Out of everything why does this damn Fae stuck on him. Couldn’t he already leave? But no, he still stood there atop of this little Hill and nearly fixed him with these Eyes of his.
A huff escaped Aaron’s Throat, only seeing the others wide smile that made all of his sharp white teeth visible. The Lucario wouldn’t make a single move towards him, he crossed his Arms before his Chest showing his Stance. The Fae touched his Forehead in Disbelief. So he had to make a Move instead. Happily trotting back to the Fighter, nearly slipped on the slowly drying Ground, before he stopped right in front of the Other.
Their Muzzles were only inches apart, but the only thing Aaron moved were his Eyes as he glared at the Fae. “Aww come on Aaron, stop this frown, we only travel together, that's not the end of the World, you know!” One of the Lucario’s Flews arose, the other one was wrong about it. It was actually worse than the End of the World for the Fighter. He had to travel with someone he didn’t like and it wasn’t possible to get rid of this damn Pest! The same Pest that only smiled everything down he did.
The Fae looped a Ribbon around his Arm, to drag him with him like a Canine on a Leash. A growl deadlocks in his Throat. Why did he deserve something like this, be pestered by sich an hyperactive, permanent grinning ‘mon without any sense of Privacy.
Chattering echoed through the whole Forest, only a Moment of Silence appeared for a Moment before the chattering was audible again. The Sylveon talked happily as if the Lucario was his best Friend. But the other only pulled on the Ribbon, without any Effort, while he avoided the Fae’s look. Aaron wished to be on another Place, away form the Sylveon, just alone by himself. But Jeffrey wouldn’t leave him alone. The Fae’s Ears turned to the Fighter, hearing another faint growl, feeling another pull on his Ribbon, that hurt a little. And still Jeffrey had a happy tune on his Snout. The Other could have ripped the Ribbon right from his Chest and still the Sylveon would remain happy, only because of the Fact that he had found him. The Fae looked around, faced the Other, who only tugged on the Ribbon clenched to his Arm, and his Smile only grew wider. These Travel Companions were truly odd and different as Day and Night.
The more funny part about this was the Reason that they only met a Day ago. And the reason behind it was the muddy Street below their Paws. It all started with a Storm!
A strong Storm raged through this Part of the Region, a Swamp, so it wasn’t unusual. The strength of the pouring Rain was the unusual thing about it. The Swamps Center was filled within Minutes. Relieved sounds went through the Room, mixed with rants near the Door if someone shook themself to dry their soaked Pelt.
Rain poured against the Walls, Lightnings enlightened the Outside for a brief moment, Thunder growled outside like a wild Animal ready to strike. Only a few Voices sounded through the Center itself, Companions who met through their Travel or who met only because of this Moment. Others tried to be as comfortable as possible inside this crammed Place. And Some, well they had a little more luck to gain a Place only for themself, mostly only because of different but also some equal Reasons.
A grim Glance, an audible growl that growed the nearer someone approached. Ears dropped down and the Pokémon retreated immediately from the Lucario as they came into his Range, even by accident. The Aurapokémon knew exactly how to push others back and he wouldn’t stop this behavior. As he moved, others drew back, gave him his Place even if there was none, only out of Fear. A short bump met someone who tried to get into a conversation, without success. No Excuse as the Eeveelution looked to the one who bumped into him, a disgusted look met his own as if his Pelt was covered in poisonous Mud, like the Skin of a Muk. His Smile cracked for a Moment. He raised his Head. His Eyes grew wide in surprise and so did his Smile again.
His Heart started to race, his Blood rushed through his Veins. His whole Body was bubbling over with joy, by the sight of one single Pokémon. ‘I can’t believe it!’ was the first and only thought that went through his Head. The Fae’s Body started to move. Groups parted, Eyes looked his Way as he walked by.
The Fighters Ears lifted, his Body tense up. He could feel someone approaching, his Aura Sight told him as a dark red Aura supplanted all the Others. He turned his Head, his Teeth bared, a growl ready in his Throat. The Snarl died immediately, his Eyes widened for a Moment as his vision was fully covered in red, pink and white. The touch of a Nose on his own. A wide and friendly Smile greeted him.
“It’s you!” hummed within a happy Tone through the Sylveon’s Voice. A frown formed on the Fighter’s Forehead, his Eyes started to narrow into slits, his Teeth bared again. Whispers broke the Silence that laid upon everyone, eyes were locked on both of them. Everyone awaited the next step, awaited a Fight or only a Punch. At the father End of the Room some even started to place bets, not about who would win but rather how hard the blow would be. The Tension was noticeable.
The Lucario clenched one of his Fists. A dark Glance, a Growl nor bared Teeth, no threatening Gesture would help to get rid of this darn Fae. So he only knew one last thing, even if he didn’t like to use it that much. He lunged out, ready to strike. His near the Others Head, before it stopped mid-air. From the corner of his Eye he could see his Shoulder entangled by a Ribbon, that tugged with all might on it. An overly happy squee escaped the Fae’s Throat. He griped the Fighter’s Fist, using his startled Moment. He was swirled around himself, before he came to a stop. The gloved Paw still held his, while the other was placed between his Scapulas, it let him dwell in a nearly lying Position, held by someone he didn’t know and didn’t want to know.
“IT’S REALLY YOU!!” it sounded humming from the Sylveon, nearly died down in the roaring Laughter that went through the Center. It was a priceless Image for all of them. But the wanton Mood was filled with Tension again. The Fighters other Hand started to form a Fist. The Bets were up again and somebody would get their Stak. But it was again a Movement of the Sylveon that stopped the Lucario from delivering a Punch. The Fae pulled him back on his own Paws, released him from his grasp.
For a short Moment the Fighter locked eyes with the Fae, a grim Glance with a happy one. He felt strange, like a forgotten Feeling arose inside him. He only shook his head, didn’t want to dwell on unimportant things, he got rid of this Feeling. He let out a short snort and turned around from the Other. Covered the others around him with a grim Grlance. They scattered and started to do what they did before this whole Incident happened. Some disappointed muttering was audible within some little Crowds, who were eager how this would end, but disappointed at this end result. But one Pair of Eyes still followed the Aurapokémon. The Smile on his Face did not fade.
“The Name is Jeffrey! You can call me Jeff if you like, Aaron!” The Lucario wasn’t surprised about the fact that he knew his Name, many knew it but only few to none called him this and looked it in the Eyes, if they did. Aaron didn’t care about anything he told him. He tried to ignore him as best as possible. But unwillingly, the Fighter received a second Shadow that day. No matter what he did, where he went, if Night drew on or Dawn was breaking again, the Fae was still at the Fighter’s side.
The next Day started with relief. The sound of pouring Rain has vanished, Rays of Sunlight slash their Way through dark Clouds, enlighten the Sky above and the Moods below. Many Snouts, Beaks and Mandible gained a Smile on their Faces as the Sun hit them. Everyone couldn’t wait to continue their Journeys, to leave this Center and especially the Swamp behind them. Many of the Pokémon inside left shortly after they realized that the Rain stopped pouring down. Others left after they got everything together they needed. One after another left the Center before only one was left behind.
The Fighter wasn’t upset about it. He only caught himself as he looked around, searching for the Fae who refused to leave his side for nearly a day. He was surprised about his own behavior. He didn’t care about him, he was happy to be alone again. He shook it off. He only gathered everything together he needed for himself, for the things he had to finish!
“What held you up?” Only one of Aaron’s Paws met the muddy Road, covered with other Footprints, before he came to a halt. His Eyes widened, the Pelt on his Neck ruffled. The Fighter looked to the side. There he was, leaning against the Center’s Wall, the Sylveon, with a wide Smile. It was a short Movement of his Arms and Ribbons, he pushed himself away from the Wall and approached the Fighter. His Expression turned to a darker one again.
“Why are you still here?” Asked Aaron, the first Thing he really said. It sounded without any Emotion, beside the little aggressive undertone. “Oh Silly Boy, you really didn’t listen to my Words. I will be around a little longer from now on. I believe you need some company and I think it will be fun!” His Smile seemed to grow even wider as he said this. The Other wasn’t pleased about this Fact. Jeffrey started to move closer to the Other, hook his Arm into the Fighter’s. The Fae looked up, a dark look as if he would look Daggers into him.
“Aww come on Aaron,” purred the Sylveon as sweetly as he could, “You’ll see, sooner or later, this whole Journey will be fun. Don’t worry about anything, my dear Friend.” But no matter how nice his Words were, the Lucario remained Cold. Aaron couldn’t believe them, not after everything. So how should he believe some Stranger just like this only because he sugarcoated some Words of his. He couldn’t see the serious Meaning behind them. Maybe he would. The only thing he was sure at the Moment, was that he wouldn’t get rid of this darn Fae so easily.