Story Notes:
This story is a continuation of Story of a Boy and His Mate. I tried to get more people to write for the filler stories between breaks, but only one person rose to the call. So now, that one person will have their Pokemon added to this story. Seikiru, Ember will be a valuable asset to the team. Sorry if she seems out of character, but I just use the excuse that 3 years with Dustin has changed her quite a bit.
Love's Prequel
Heya everyone. Majinonifox1 here. I have been struck by inspiration! And by inspiration, I mean I encountered something in my life that would make for a good chapter.We haven't really focused much on the other Pokemon that Dustin has in his possession, which includes the relationships. Let's see what's going on in those lives. Don't worry. We'll continue the rest of the story later. This is more of a rewind to before Chapter 1. Call it a Prequel, if you will. However, it shall still be called Chapter 3. Anywho, I've rambled on too long now.On with the show!~Luna's POV~I took a look ahead for the family. Mom was kind of busy with dad, and nobody else was as fast as me. I proved that with a race to our current position. Anywho, I ran out to an opening in the forest. As I reached it, I saw the port city of Lilycove. Destination: the Orre Region.I took a quick look around, seeing that there was a boat docked at Port. I focused my sight on it, and sensed 3 ship-hands on the boat. Normal amount for leaving was at least 12. We were fine for at least 7 hours, if things went the same here as in the other ports: Vermillion City, and Olivine City. Those cities we almost missed the ferries to the next Region. However, this time, we were not going to miss the ferry.I ran back to the others, and announced how close we were to Lilycove. "We have about 7 hours til the ferry is ready to leave. But, we should get there early." I said.Dad was in agreement. "Yeah, last time you made a judgment call on the time, we had to jump for the Ferry. Not a fun swim, that was." He shuddered from the memory.I had apologized for that incident many times over. However, I was always still blamed for it. "How many times do I have to say my bad?""As long as I remember it, it'll never be enough." He replied. He gave me a face that meant he was joking about it, however. I just shook my head.Then, mom made a statement. "You know, she gets her sense of time from you." She chuckled.Dad was aghast. Like that word? Just recently learned it. "My sense of- where do you get off saying my sense of time is skewed?" I don't know that word yet. I'll have to ask dad what it means later."I mean, it's always you that we have to dump cold water on just to get you going after everyone's been up for 5 hours before you, wanting to hurry up with the journey."Dad looked left and right, and his face turned beet red, I think that's how it's used. In any case, he was embarrassed. "I-I need some sort of deep sleep, or I'm not energetic.""Uh-huh," mom said. "Sure. Then you wake up, shouting 'WHO DISTURBED MY SLUMBER!?'" At that, mom started laughing a lot. I think that's called cracking up. I don't understand half of the Human terminology.But, my attempt at knowledge was short-lived, due to an orange mass jumping onto my back, tackling me to the ground. "Ha! I finally got ya, hun!"I smiled, and disappeared. He got a look of terror on his face, and shouted, "I give! I give! Don't hurt me!"It was satisfying seeing the one I loved grovel for his life. Actually, it was more hilarious than satisfying. Then again, he's always saying that he would get me one of these days. Hasn't been able to do so for almost 3 years, which, by the way... 3... 2... 1... it was now officially our Anniversary. I reappeared. "Know what day it is, hun?""Uhh..." He thought out loud. 'Dustin, some help with this one?'The only thoughts that went back to his brain were 'No cheating,' coming from me.He was stunned, but replied "I uhh... kinda need a Calendar to know that, to be honest." He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.It was then that I thought mean things about him. "Well, then, that's fine. Go find a Calendar somewhere! In the meantime, I want to be alone." I disappeared again.~*~Peachy POV~*~I was dumbstruck by Luna's attitude towards me. It wasn't really like her. Of course I knew what day it was. I was planning something for her. But, she didn't have to get all mean and nasty like that.'I did not wanna get hit by her. That's why I didn't say anything.' Dustin relayed to me.'Yeah, I know. I'm surprised she didn't hit me.' I relayed back, rubbing the backside of my head.'So, what are you doing for her? Need any help?' Dustin asked.'Nah. I want to do this on my own. Show her how much I care for her. But, I could use help with one thing.''I think I know. How long?''Give me Sunset. I'll be ready then.''Very well.' With that, Dustin disappeared from view."Well, I'm gonna go get firewood for tonight. Rein, Ember, wanna help out?"Rein enthusiastically nodded, and Ember said, "Yes, please, Miss Sylvia.""Darlin... it's been 3 years. Don't you think you know me well enough by now that you don't have to call me Miss?" She didn't sound mad, and not annoyed either. In fact, I couldn't tell what she was feeling. Maybe that's why I wasn't a Lucario."Well... it's to show you respect. I mean I really want to be respectful." Ember replied. She seemed to be quivering just slightly."Honey..." She went up to Ember and went down on one knee. "You don't have to be scared." She wrapped her arms around Ember's thick Mane, and gave her a warm hug.Ember seemed really freaked out at her hug, but it wasn't like a freak out where she was struggling to get away. On the contrary. I think she wasn't expecting that hug, is all. However, after the shock settled down, Ember started nuzzling Sylvia. "Thank you, Mis- I mean, Sylvia."Sylvia smiled. "No problem, hun." She released Ember from the hug, and stood up. "Now, let's go get that firewood."Both Ember and Rein said "Yeah," at the same time. They then followed Sylvia into the woods, leaving me alone to ponder what I was to do about my soon-to-be-wife.~*~Luna POV~*~"How could he... we've been together for 3 years, and he up and forgets... the nerve of that jerk!" I punched a tree, making an indent in the trunk. "But... I still love him... but, he's an egotistical jerk! ... He's the best thing that's happened to me." I was arguing with myself, and losing.I heard a rustling behind me, and turned around. There was nothing. But, there was. "Dad, I can see you. Come on out."Dad came out from hiding, and sat down next to me. "Wanna talk about it?" He asked."I just can't believe he forgot about it! You didn't tell him, did you?" I asked him, scared of if he did."I don't know what's up with you girls and not wanting your boyfriends to not know vital info, but I didn't tell him." He said sincerely.I sensed his Aura, and could tell he was speaking the truth. "Thanks, dad." I wrapped my arms around him, and gave him a hug. He returned the gesture, rubbing my back. "I really needed to hear that.""Well, it's the truth. If telling you the truth makes you happy, then I should have stopped lying to you 2 years ago."I released him and shoved him to the side. "Jerk." I said with a chuckle. He shoved me back playfully. Then, it erupted into a shoving match. Ended with him falling over and knocking his head on the side of the rock positioned next to us. He got up, and wasn't bleeding. But, after that, we didn't continue our match.He stood up. "Wanna go out and find something to eat? Your mother's getting firewood as we speak."I smiled. A change of pace was just what I need. "Sure. I'm starting to get hungry." He smiled, and ran off. I followed him easily.~*~Aren POV~*~I looked around. I knew stones, being around them a lot growing up. Needed that one perfect one for Peachy. I knew what his plan with it was, and what it was going to entail. He seemed really devoted to doing this for Luna. So, naturally, I wanted to help out as much as I can. So, here I am, in a field of rocks, finding the perfect one."Let's see... Luna was born in... Uhh...""July, hun," came a voice from behind me, before being glomped- I don't even know the true meaning behind that word, but that's what he told me it was- by a very fuzzy Zangoose hunk.I giggled. "Thanks. Now, her birthstone is... Uhh...""Ruby." Zachary said. He looked deep in my eyes. "Gonna have a hard time finding Rubies here, I bet."I snorted. "You doubt my abilities? If I find a Ruby, I get top for a whole month."Zachary seemed to be shocked at this. "But... I thought you liked being sub.""No, you mistook. I like taking. If you're still giving it to me with me on top, then it's still the same thing." I smirked from the sentence.Zachary sighed. "Deal. If you can find a-" Before he could finish the sentence, I pulled a rock from behind my back."Now, to prove it." I used my horn on the top of my head, rotating it for cracking. I touched it to the rock, and it split into 3 different parts. As it did, there was a brilliant red shine from the sun that glinted in Zachary's eyes."Okay, okay! I give! You get top!" Zachary said, going down on his knees.I moved the ruby rocks away from the sun and said, "I knew you'd see things my way." I chuckled, going to enjoy being on top, riding him all through the night.~*~Peachy POV~*~I paced back and forth. I had a small bit of help with getting the band for the ring from Dustin before we even reached this area, but now I was getting desperate. I really needed that Ruby in order for it to be perfect. "Man, where's Aren? He should have been back-""By now?" came a call from behind me. I turned around, and saw Aren, with Zachary on his shoulder. "Sorry it took so long.""Did you find one?" I asked desperately.Aren moved his hands out, and showed 3 pieces of rock, with a red stone in the middle of each part. "Found a lot of one. Gives you a few chances."I gasped at how much he found. It was the perfect amount to get just right. "Thank you so much, Aren. And, you're fine with me taking credit?""Of course! Anything to help out a relationship." He smiled and looked up at Zachary. "I also got something out of it as well, too."I was about to ask what he got out of it, but then I realized I probably didn't want to know. I decided to just take the stones, and move to a sunny part of the forest, away from everyone else. "It's a good thing I got Iron Tail down." My tail began to glow, and I struck at one of the stones, cutting it in a part. As I did so, it came out extremely smooth. I then kept at the cutting, getting it smaller and smaller, getting it to the right size to fit perfectly in the band. It took me almost all of the 30 minutes I had, but I finally got it small enough, and the right shape. Now, it was a matter of getting the band to fit over the gem. For that, I needed-"Ember, you can come out now. I know you're there."There was a rustling, and Ember emerged from behind a bush. "How'd you know I was there?""You hid well, but you have to control your breathing." I turned around and showed her the gem and band.She gasped. "Ohh, that's pretty! Nice red color! What is it?"I chuckled. "It's a Ruby. A very rare gem, and I'm gonna give it to Luna for our Anniversary. But, I need your help.""What can I do?" Ember asked inquisitively."Well, I need the band easy to bend, so I can wrap the metal around the gem. And for metal to bend, I need..." I motioned for Ember to continue."Uhh... fire?" She asked."Yeah, there you go. Also, could you do the necessary things, since I can't handle the hot flames?" I asked, embarrassed."Well, it's not hot. I breathe fire all over myself on a- ohh... that's right. I'm a Fire-Type. You're not.""There you go." I placed the gem and the band down on a rock, and stepped back. As I did, Ember let loose a burst of flame from her maw, heating the metal of the band, making it easy to bend. "That should be good." I said, and she stopped her flame onslaught. "Okay, now see the prongs in the corners?""Yeah... bend those over the Ruby?""Now you got it." I smiled.Ember nodded, and placed a paw on each side of the bit of band. "Good thing I have small paws, or I'd fail at this." She pressed on each side of the opposite corners, and bent them over the Gem. After that was done, she did the other corners as well. "There. Done. Now what?""Stream. Cool it off." I said.Ember gasped. "There's a stream somewhere here?""Not too far from here. Just over that way." I pointed in the direction of the stream. As I did, Ember picked up the band in her maw, and ran in the direction of the stream. I ran with her, making sure she didn't break the band.As we reached the stream, Ember jumped non-callously into it, squealing in delight. But, as she hit the water, she jumped high in the air, shouting "COLD!" But, she just went right back in the water again, doing a Dog Paddle in there. "I haven't been swimming in a long time! Not since I was an Eevee! Me and my brother used to go to a stream near our pack, and go swimming, dreaming we were Vaporeon."She seemed really happy in the water, but I had to ask. "How are you able to swim? I thought Fire-Types were weak against water.""Water attacks. I'm not in danger, I'm not being attacked." At that moment, Ember looked as if she was pulled under the surface of the water, and small bubbles were forming where she was pulled down."EMBER!" I ran at the water, getting ready to hop in, but as I reached it, Ember popped up and splashed me in the face."Gotcha!" She giggled, and went to the edge of the Stream, picking the band back up in her maw, and dipped her head down. As she brought it in the water, it made a small hissing sound. As the hissing stopped, she brought it up, and tossed it to me. "Catch!"I fumbled a bit, but managed to keep a grip on the now finished ring. I looked at it, and was glad that there were no faults in the gem after being heated and cooled. Now, there was one thing to do: present the ring.As I thought about that, I got a message from Dustin. 'You ready, Peachy? I've exhausted myself.''Thanks, Dustin. I got it all done. Come on back.' I replied, and there was silence. I looked at Ember. "Swim's over. Luna and Dustin are coming back."As I said this, Ember got out of the stream and closed her eyes. A little time afterwards, a gigantic poof of steam surrounded her as she used her fire to heat the water off her fur. "All dry. Let's go." Ember dashed off to the campsite. I followed suit, trying to keep up with Ember, and having a terribly difficult time.~*~Sylvia POV~*~"There. I think we have enough Firewood now." I was carrying a bundle of 5 logs. Rein was carrying a few twigs, good for starting the fire. Ember had already left, saying she had something she needed to help Peachy with. But before she left, she had already brought 3 loads of firewood to the camp. Each load 3 logs."Okeydokers." Rein replied. They then walked back to the campsite. However...~*~Mar POV~*~"BOO!" I popped out from behind a bush and pounced my cousin.As I did, Rein eeked, and discharged a little electricity. It wasn't much, but it was enough to knock me back a bit before I could finish my tackle. I was on my back, looking up at Rein. "Don't do that, Mar. That's scary!" Rein hid behind my mom."That was rather rude, Mar. Apologize to your cousin." (Got it memorized?)I grumbled a bit, and then said, "I'm sorry, Rein... I was only playing around."Rein poked his head around my mom's leg. "Don't do it again, pretty please."I stood up, and looked around. "Need some help, mom?" I asked.Mom looked at me. "Go back there and grab as many logs as you can, and hurry back to the Campsite." Mom then started walking towards the camp. I ran off and grabbed a few logs, and popped them in my arms. I then ran towards my mom as fast as I could. When I reached them, Rein hid behind my mom again, and she just chuckled. "Nice job, Mar." She ruffled my hair some."Mahhhm... you're messing up my hair!" I attempted to shake my hair back to normal, reluctant to use my hands, because of the wood I was carrying. After my failure, I decided I'd just fix it back at camp.It took a while, but we finally made it back to camp, just as it was becoming Sunset. Aren, Zachary, Ember, and Peachy were already there, and Dustin and Luna were just now arriving after us.~*~Peachy POV~*~As I saw Dustin and Luna arrive, the Sunset caught Luna's figure, creating an image of beauty. My mouth curled up in a smile. I then went about setting my plan in motion.As everyone was gathering around the fire, I took a seat, motioning for Luna to sit next to me. I hoped she wasn't too mad at me for 'forgetting' our Anniversary. Turns out, she seemed to be forgiving about it. Whatever Dustin did, it seemed to work. She took a seat next to me, and nuzzled into my shoulder. This was turning out perfect. My tail slid sideways to her other shoulder, where it rested with the ring upon the end.Luna placed her paw on my tail, and felt at it for a minute before looking at it. "It took me all day to make that for you. Happy Anniversary."Luna gasped at it, and took it from my tail. "Ohh... Peachy... it's beautiful! A Ruby! How'd you get something like this?""Very carefully." I looked at Aren."The band was really well made! In fact..." She took the ring and slid it on a finger.As she slid it on the forefinger, I took it off. "Wrong finger, hun..." I got down on one knee and held her paw. As I did this, Luna gasped and started breathing kinda fast. "Luna Lomax, will you do the honor of becoming my bride?" I placed the ring at the right finger for marriage.Luna took a moment to think about it, it seemed, but then instantly grabbed the ring and slipped it on the right finger and pulled me into a hug. "Ohh, Peachy! Of course I will!"I started tapping her shoulder, not being able to say anything, due to having my lungs squeezed out. I kept tapping until she finally let me go. I fell to the floor gasping for breath.Dustin just laughed. "Not like me and Sylvia, but it's certainly creative."Luna looked at her dad. "You knew?""Of course! Why do you think we went fishing for that long? Why every single fish we got wasn't good enough. We had to get just one more." He said the last little part suggestively."Dad, you're horrible! Why didn't you tell me? I thought that Peachy had forgotten our Anniversary! You're all horrible!" She got down on her knees and started crying.I knelt next to her. "Gotta admit. This way was the most memorable."Luna sniffed once and wiped her nose. "Yeah... yeah, it was. Thank you, everyone." She turned her attention to me. "And than you, you gorgeous hunk of Raichu." She planted a deep kiss on my lips, which I knew was coming and returned it with my own love for the one to be my wife."Well, guess we're gonna have to find someone to marry you two." Dustin said. "Don't know how many people are actually in this Region, but I'm sure we can find someone."Just then, Zachary came running back. "Hey, everyone! I got a chance to head to that town. We've got a location. It's Phenac City!"Dustin pulled a map from his pack, and looked at it. "Phenac City... then, we're" he pointed at a spot in the woods. "Here. Not too far from habitation. But, from here to Phenac City, and all along everywhere else, it's Desert."Everyone looked at Dustin like he was crazy. I piped up with what everyone else was thinking. "You think that's gonna stop us? Let's go!"With our destination set, and my love shoulder to shoulder with me, we set out for Phenac City, the first of many places to explore in this brand new exciting region.~*~??? POV~*~I finished my observation of the target, and called in the observations. "Sir. Observation complete. Target seems very intrigued in trickery. He seems to have some evil in him already.""Very good. Regroup with number 6, and return to base. I'll engage that group soon.""Yessir." I quit the commlink, and hurried to the designated meeting area. 'That Pokemon is as good as ours. Shadow Pokemon XDI will be the greatest experiment ever.'~*~Nutshell~*~The group made it to Phenac City, and met up with an old friend: Ash Ketchum. They got to talking for a while, and afterwards, challenged the Pre-Gym there in the City. Of course, both trainers handily beat it. Afterwards, the group left for their next destination, which at the time, could not be ascertained. So, it was that which kept us from continuing that showed you the first chapter.Ending was weird, I know. At least I didn't end with an ugly ending like "And they all lived happily after. The End." Meh, that's ugly. So, give me some sort of review. And, if you like it, watch for more of my stuff. Trust me. You'll be glad you did.Til next time, this is Majinonifox1 signing out.Chapter End Notes:Read, rate, and review