Shadow Fire

Len gave a polite bow. "Nice to meet you..." he said softly. "I've heard a little about you." Gakupo extended his hand, Len taking it as the two shook hands. The older boy grinned, before turning back to face Haru as well. "First..." the purple-haired male said. "I just wanted to say that your mother saw me on the way, and told me to tell you that she may be a while. She's with Hiyama-sensei at the moment, talking about your schooling. I think she was talking about Len here as well." Upon hearing his name, Len's gaze shifted over, an eyebrow raising. "But I've found out some exciting news..." the older male said, eyes gleaming. "You remember the evil prince? Well, a couple days ago, he was publicly executed!" Len's whole world suddenly shattered around him.

Link shook his head a few times, his way of saying that the Deku Tree needed him quickly. If he delayed, who knew what could happen. The hard part is over. Now... a shield. 40 rupees. Avoiding the boulder, Link raced back to the opening, crawling back through to return.

The red-haired teen pulled away again, searching for answers of unknown questions. Silently, he glanced downwards again, unable to do anything. He wanted to be able to show braveness, but it didn't come to him. As if an icy wind was blowing, Silver shivered slightly.

Len blinked, staring at the purple haired teen. I wonder if this is the friend Haru wanted to introduce me to? 'Gaku' gave a wide grin, his hair blowing slightly in the breeze. "Heheh... yeah..." he chuckled. "I wanted to see if you were here first before rushing off to your place. By the way... is he a friend of yours?" He nudged his head towards Len, who was moving a bit closer.

Link nodded, getting to his knees and crawling through the small hole that led to the grove. He could hear a low rumbling. A monster? Making it all the way through, the boy got to his feet and turned around. The rumbling grew louder, and before he could move, a boulder came around the corner, rolling towards him. Shivering, he took a few steps back, and just when it looked like the boulder would crush him, it went around another corner. A magic spell must be possessing it. Link raced through the grove, quickly making his way to a strange area. A treasure chest sat atop a tree stump, a sign in front of it. Link silently read the sign. This is the treasure of the Kokiri. Anyone using this treasure is asked to return it when they are finished with it. Walking up to the chest, Link opened it, pulling out a sword.

Silver remained quiet. Ever since his father had left, his anger and hatred at everyone could only last for so long. He just stayed in Ethan's arms, eyes quietly crying.

Link gave a nod, although his expression showed concern. "Just..." he began. "...be careful. I don't want to lose you."

The boy glanced up at Navi, giving a slight smile. His eyes sparkling, he let Navi show him where to go.

Len went on ahead a bit, his gaze focused on the ground. What was that all about? Why did I do that? Before he knew it, he'd been bumped into by someone. Glancing up, he looked at the face of a purple-haired boy. "Oh... sorry, kid..." the boy said softly. "I was in a bit of a rush there. I... oh, hey! Haru!"

Silver just stared ahead, not doing anything. "This hurts too..." he said softly. "...but in a different way. At the same time though..." The red-haired teen let his eyes close. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm down. "There's something about you..." he continued, voice even softer. "When I first met you, you were merely a thorn in my side. A bug to be squashed. But... that changed. I find myself wanting to understand you... to be closer..." Silver gently pushed Ethan back a bit, so the embrace wasn't as full, and so the other could see his face. "I'm in constant pain..." he choked out. "I can't stop thinking of you... then when I saw you dressed in that ridiculous disguise..." The red-haired teen glanced down at the ground, his shoulders shaking, as more tears began to drop.

The blond gave his own slight smile, before leaning in closer and placing a kiss on the other boy's cheek. His face reddening quickly at his own actions, he turned around, before picking up a few of the bags. "C-come on..." he stammered. "W-we should... see if your mother's here yet... shouldn't we?"

"Babalant... Awoken Demon of the Parasites..." Link was quick to draw his sword, raising his shield high, but how was he to know how to defeat such a creature? "Damn..." he hissed. "This looks bad."

Link gave a silent sigh, before dejectedly walking around. He knew that there was a shield he could buy for 40 Rupees, but where would he get a sword?

Haru's silence made him realise exactly what the issue was. Slowly, he walked beside Haru, taking the bags of supplies and placing them down on a nearby bench, before turning back to the older boy, placing his hands on his shoulders. "I'm sorry..." he said softly. "...to keep you in the dark. It's something I can only sort out on my own, to be honest."

The red-haired trainer glanced over at the Team Rocket Grunt, his rage subsiding. The grunt was merely a few years older than he was, and a feeling of regret came through him. "I don't wanna do this anymore..." he choked out, curling his arms around himself. "I can't... every time I see them, I just... and seeing him like that... I seriously... but he wouldn't have done that to spite me... Arceus damn it! Why does it hurt so much?" Footsteps nearby made him look up, to see Ethan staring back at him. "Why...?" he asked, tears dropping again. "Why does it hurt?"

Snappy lumbered over to Ethan, before glancing down at him. Even though he knew the human wouldn't be able to understand, he had to try. "Please... I'm... begging you." Meanwhile, Silver was still too far in his turmoil to notice his Pokemon missing.

Len frowned. "Look..." he said. "I know I haven't exactly been forthcoming myself, but don't say it's nothing. If it was nothing, it wouldn't be bothering you so much, right?"

Mido blinked at Navi's attitude, before shaking his head. "The Great Deku Tree summoned you?" he asked incredulously. "I don't believe it! You aren't even properly equipped! Not to mention, you're not even properly dressed... How can you expect to help the Great Deku Tree without even a shield and sword? Sheesh!" Link narrowed his eyes, before turning away, dejected.

Len soon walked outside, giving a slight smile. Upon noticing Haru's expression, his smile faded. "Haru?" he asked. "What's the matter?"

Snappy rushed past the other trainer, making a beeline directly for the Team Rocket members, blasting them with powerful attacks before they could even react. Before long, the entire floor had been purged of Team Rocket, the water Pokemon turning around to face Ethan and Cynder, his eyes narrowed. Casting a glance at Cynder, his gaze softened. "Master is strange. He... he's doing something I never have seen before. He looks so upset... and I think... it's your master." The Feraligatr stared up at Ethan, his eyes unmoving from their glance. He needed help. His master needed help. Damn it, he was doing this.

Luka grinned, playfully shooing the boys out. "Goodbye, boys!" she laughed. "Come back again soon, y'hear?" Len, who had slowly been walking towards the door, turned around suddenly and rushed over to Luka, flinging his arms around the girl. Taken by surprise, Luka quickly recovered and hugged back, smiling. "Len..." she whispered. "Take care of yourself, and don't worry. Your secret, it's safe with me." Len sniffled, nodding. "Thank you..." he whimpered. "For everything... being there for me... everything."

Link gave a nod, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder, before racing off towards where the Deku Tree's meadow was, but what's this? Mido, self-appointed boss of the Kokiri, stood in his path. "Heh..." he snickered. "Mister No Fairy... in his pyjamas. How adorable... I may just have a nose bleed. You may wear those clothes, but without a fairy, y-..." Suddenly, he gaped, noticing a fairy floating behind Link. "What's this?" he sneered. "You have a fairy now, huh?"

His cheeks reddening slightly, Len glanced at the ground. "...you're..." he mumbled softly. "...you're welcome, Haru." Luka said nothing, although she inwardly chuckled. The two boys were so obvious, yet so oblivious.

Ethan's words stabbed into Silver like thousands of icy daggers. The teen instantly fell to his knees, his breathing becoming a little faster, his eyes stinging. "Damn it..." he choked out. "Why am I so angry? Why do his words hurt so much? What the hell... is wrong... with me?" Tears splashed onto the ground, surprising Snappy, who looked down at him in worry. With his own growl, he set off after the other trainer.

"Good!" Luka instantly exclaimed. "Let me just go get it. Wait here." She rushed out in the back, coming back moments later with a scroll. "There's something mystical about this..." she said in a softer voice. "It is said that it was held in ancient times. I'm not too familiar with the legend, but it's quite expensive. Len here, wanted it all those years ago, because he loves ancient junk... but now... he's decided... to get it for you. Enjoy, little guy."