Shadow Fire

Len nodded, glancing around town. All too suddenly, he was overwhelmed by nostalgia. "This place..." he choked out. "It's just like I remember it. I wonder... if the Megurine family still own their shop."

Link pulled back moments later, cursing his lungs for needing precious oxygen. Still, he kept his arms around the other boy's neck, feeling almost intoxicated from the kiss. "Diggs..." he breathed out. "I know now... why I can't stand to be away from you... why it hurts so much to not be in your presence... why I felt so lost at the idea that I may have lost you..." Moving closer, he moved his lips next to his friend's ear. "I'm... in love with you..." he mumbled. "Even as a wolf... the instincts must have known, and heightened my feelings, forcing us together... or something."

Len smiled slightly at Haru. "Well?" he asked softly. "Shall we go?"

Silver scowled, getting himself to his feet, and rushing out, his eyes narrowed in murderous rage.

Len had already gathered his wallet, still full of money, and was waiting for Haru outside. I already know what I want to do...

Cheeks flaring up at the peck on the cheek that Diggs gave him, the blond raised a hand to it, pressing it gingerly to his cheek. His heart began to race. Watching as the other boy checked for his map, Link stood motionless, his mind returning to the past. "I... got... your... sh-..." The boy had fallen to the ground, unable to finish his sentence. Spider bites were all over his body, but he still had to go in and retrieve her shoe. "Link! Are you..." "Shut up! Just shut up and leave him alone! This is all your fault, you know? If you hadn't been trying to tag along, like a little lost puppy, Link wouldn't have been hurt like this!" The chestnut haired boy knelt down, scooping Link into his arms. When Ilia protested, the older boy had let out an enraged snarl, before rushing Link back to his house. It was trouble getting up the ladder, but nonetheless he made it. Putting Link to bed, he instantly wet a cloth, pressing it to Link's forehead. "Please, Link... you're my best friend... I don't know what I'd do if I lost you..." As the blond weakly opened his eyes at his friend's voice, he was vaguely aware of the pair of lips that touched his cheek, a teardrop splashing onto his face afterwards. Returning to the present, Link analysed recent happenings, before realising the truth. Diggs... I... The blond moved swiftly, as if possessed. Placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, he spun him around, eyes locking on the other boy's. With nary a word, Link let his eyes slip shut, moving closer, and pressing his lips to the older boy's.

Blinking, Link stared up, his eyes locking onto his best friend's. He felt himself becoming lost within them, before finally tearing his gaze away, looking to the side. "A-about before..." he mumbled. "I'm sorry... for what I did..."

"Are you sure?" he asked, still maintaining his level gaze. "I mean, it's no trouble. I'd like to give you a hand..."

Despite all his knowledge, Silver was quickly beaten. The red-haired trainer dropped to his knees. Impossible! He didn't even change Pokemon. That Dragonite... it didn't even break a sweat! Lance stared down at the other trainer, before lifting him up, and using more of his medicine, this time to heal Silver's Pokemon. "Take care of your Pokemon..." the dragon master said finally. "They are not tools of war. Draco and I share a bond. I treat him with care, and he in turn watches over me as I do him. One day, I hope you can share this with your Pokemon, for until you do, you'll never make it far. Now, the young raven-haired boy I am acquainted with shows true potential. I must go now..." Silver watched as the Champion rushed off, presumably to help his acquaintance. Ethan... I bet he's talking about you...

Len tightened his embrace a bit before pulling away, and getting to his feet. "Koto?" he said, looking back at Haru's mother. "I can wash up for you..."

The familiar warmth returned to Link as he remained in Diggs' embrace. It was the same as when he'd been showing affection to him as a wolf. Being close made his heart pound inside his chest, his entire body warm. But wasn't that because of the wolf's instincts? Or... was it... my own? Eyes closing, Link gave a sigh. It was good to have Diggs back, but with his recent actions... Have I... hurt our friendship?

Eyes narrowing, Silver continued around, getting more and more agitated. "How laughable..." he hissed. "This place is easy to navigate. Their traps are child's play. Father could have made this place more confusing in his sleep... and I'm better." Rounding a corner, he bumped into someone. Is there some law that says I have to bump into someone every day? Looking up, Silver noticed a trainer in his early twenties, wearing all black, a dark cape included. The trainer helped him up, though Silver remained frozen for a moment. It's Lance! He's not at the Indigo Plateau? I wonder... Holding a Monster Ball out at the dragon trainer, he smirked. "I challenge you!" he declared. "League Champion... Lance."

The blond looked up, shaking his head. "Don't denounce it..." he said softly. "After Rin, you and Koto are the kindest people I've ever met. Not only do I owe you my thanks... I owe you my life."

Upon learning his destiny, and seeing his awakened form, Link finally turned to Diggs, his own cheeks a shade of red. "Diggs..." the blond said softly. "I..." Completely forgetting about their previous happenings, the younger boy took a deep breath and launched himself at the other, flinging arms around him. "I thought I'd never see you again..." he continued. "When I came to Ordon and you weren't there... and I found the other kids had been taken, I thought..." Shifting his gaze to the side, Link began to shake. When he looked up again, tears were glistening in his eyes. "I'm just glad..." he said. "...that you're safe..."

Lance gave a look around after healing the other trainer's Pokemon. "Hey..." he said softly. "We should split up. Our chances may double if we both take a look around, no?" Lance had already made up his mind, rushing off to search for clues.

Len's smile slowly widened, before he stood up. Slowly, he walked over to Haru, knelt down in front of him and threw his arms around him. "Thank you..." he mumbled. "You've been ever so kind."

Just as it seemed like Link was about to break the boundaries and go all the way, he was interrupted. Not by Midna, who had decided to give the two wolves more private time (despite watching them from a distance), but rather, by the last bug, which happened to give the bigger wolf a rather nasty shock, zapping him back to his senses. "Damn it! You'll pay for that!" Spinning around, Link quickly honed his senses, and lunged at the last insect, killing it easily. Collecting the last tear, he scampered back to the smaller wolf, but before he could so much as nuzzle him, everything seemed to brighten. The twilight began to shimmer, the black, upward floating squares shattering. Feeling himself lifted away, Link was helpless as his vision faded to white. Moments later, a splash was heard, Link opening his eyes to see that he was back in the Faron Spring, and the twilight had dissipated. Link could feel tingles in his body. He stared up at Midna, who was now back in Shadow form.

Lance motioned for him to come closer, and once the younger boy arrived, he glanced back at the guy behind him. "I've got some information..." he said softly. "Thanks to this kind gentleman behind me, I was able to discover that in order to get into this big room here, you need a password. However, to get the password, you need to get it from their leader, who is also in a room that is protected by two passwords." Lance suddenly frowned. "Your Pokemon appear hurt..." he said solemnly. "Here, let me use some of my special medicine."

The blond glanced up, dried his tears and nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I'm fine. Just a lot of fond memories that I wish I could relive. Will we be going soon?"

The bigger wolf gave a soft growl as he continued with what he was doing. "You're driving me crazy... and I don't understand. All I can understand is that for some reason... I want this..." Link licked at the other's neck, giving another wolfy purr.

Any thoughts Link may have had about his past were instantly shattered. The moment the pup showed a little affection to him, his wolf instincts barged their way through, and once again, he'd pounced the pup. With no hesitation, he leaned down and began to gently nuzzle the other wolf. I don't know why, but something compels me to do this... it's like even I want to... and not just the wolf. Pulling his head away, he stared down at the other, eyes burning into the other wolf's. "Just like his..." Leaning down again, he licked at the other's maw, giving what could be described as a purr from the tastes that invaded him.

Lance was quick, managing to get through the first area quickly. After quickly disposing of a Team Rocket Grunt in the next area, Lance turned around, ignoring the soft groans of the person he'd defeated, waiting for Ethan to come through.

Len glanced down for a moment, his smile not seeming to fade at all, although tears began to flow from his eyes. "Shian..." he murmured. "I used to live there... many years ago. I'd love to go too."

Link gaped as the pup was able to jump the long distance. He really was quite something else. A warm feeling seemed to fill him, fading quickly when he heard Midna's cheeky comment. I'm heavier, and have bigger paws... but I'm not a quitter... I need to save those kids... Watching as the other wolf finally made it to the other side, Link took a few steps back, before making his own leap of faith. He managed to make it all the way over to the other side, giving as best a grin as he could to the other wolf. "Heh... like you said... we made it."

Finally finishing his breakfast, Len gave a satisfied sigh, before glancing at his hosts. "Um..." he said softly. "What do you two have planned... for today?"