A Jolteon's Story part 12

Swirl of Emotions


Once again, when Spark opened his eyes, he found himself in his old bedroom.  He looked around and saw his mother looking after him.  The young Jolteon hastily got up and hugged his long lost mother.  They stayed like this for what seemed like hours.  After that, Storm took a look at her son.  She noticed the pendant she gave him, but also the earring at the base of his left ear.
-What happened, hunny?  she asked while pointing his ear with her paw.
-Oh, that?  We went to town, today, he replied.  I got it for free.  You like?
-I think it gives you a little… special… look.
-Mom, Spark started.  Why did you wait a year before coming to see me?
-I didn't, sighed Storm.  I tried to talk with especially you since the beginning.  Your father just wasn't able to establish the link between us, as if something kept us from doing so.
-But why me?
-I thought you were the one that would take the most time to recover from this…
-Well I'm not!  the young Jolteon angrily blurted.  While I had my petty problems, Aqua just kept on helping us!  She almost completely raised Blizzard and Leaf by herself, while she was still so sad that dad and you weren't there anymore!  When I had nightmares and woke up during the night, I could hear her sobbing.  But she didn't stop.  She took the role of the adult in the house, while all I did was depress even more on myself, and I never heard her complain.  She took a lot on herself, but never cried in front of us.
Storm sadly looked away, realizing she didn't act like she should've.
-I'm sorry, apologized Spark.  I shouldn't have lashed out like that on you.  It's just, I think Aqua misses you more than any of us do.
-I should have tried to see her two, mumbled Storm.  I should have tried to see all of you.  Thank you for opening my eyes, hunny.  You're pretty wise for your age, she added with a smile.
-I guess I pass a lot of time with Shadow, laughed Spark.  He must be rubbing off on me.
The mother and son laughed, but Storm soon got her serious back.
-I should be going… she said.
-Already… sobbed Spark.
-The night isn't over yet, and I still have some business to attend to, she added as she winked at her son.
Spark's vision started getting blurry again as he realized he forgot to ask an important question.
-Where are you two!  he yelled to be heard by his mother.
"East" was the last thing Spark heard before waking up.

As he left his dream, Spark held back a scream so that the others could still sleep.  He could hear Pyro snoring loudly.  Everything was normal until he heard some mumbling.  He listened closely and could tell it wasn't from his room.  He quietly walked towards the door and opened it, making the less noise possible.  No one was in the main room.  He went next to the girls' door and could hear the mumbling more clearly.  He soon recognized his Vaporeon sister's voice.  "So that's what mom meant…" the Jolteon thought.  He left and went back to his bed, trying to get back to sleep.

In her dream, Aqua was quietly swimming in the river close to their house.  "Aah… There's nothing more relaxing than a good swim…" she thought.  She then stopped and simply let herself drift on the water, starring at the blue sky.
-Such beautiful scenery, she said out loud.  Too bad I'm alone to watch it…
-You're right, added a voice on the shore.  It is beautiful…
Aqua shifted her head to look at the intruder.  She was shocked when she saw the Jolteon looking back at her.  The yellow Pokémon was studying her closely.
-What are you doing?  the Vaporeon asked.
-You grew in beauty, sweetie, complemented Storm.  I can only regret the time I missed.
-Mommy… cried Aqua.  It's you…
The blue Pokémon hastily came out of the water to cuddle up to her mother like she did when she was young and scared.  She let her tears run down her checks into her mother's fur.  They stayed like this for what seemed as an eternity for Aqua.  When Storm tried to take a look at her oldest daughter, Aqua snuggled closer, as if she was afraid her mother would disappear anytime.
-I don't want you to go, cried the Vaporeon.
-Yet I can't stay, explained Storm.  Your father is using all his energy so that I can talk to you.
-Why is the world so cruel, continued sobbing Aqua.
The Jolteon sighed.  Aqua was always unreasonable while under the influence of her emotions.
-Did daddy really attacked Kaminari, mommy?  the Vaporeon asked.
-Who's that?
-He's a Manectric who was sent to capture Spark by Jigoku, but finally became a friend.
Storm sadly looked away.  Aqua knew the answer to the question, but didn't want to face the truth.  Aqua finally backed up a little so that her mother take a closer look at her.
-So, Spark told me you took the role of the adult?  started Storm.
-Spark said that?
-Yes.  He also said you missed me a lot.
-You can't even know how much, sobbed Aqua.  You don't know what it's like to lose your parents and not being able to do anything about it.
-And you don't know what it's like to lose your children.  It's ten times worse.  I hope you won't know the feeling of it.  Especially with the one you're waiting.
-How did you know?
-It's pretty hard not to know, laughed Storm.  There's a little bump on your belly.
-WHAT!!!
Aqua quickly looked down on her.  Her mother was right, a little bump was visible.
-That wasn't there yesterday!  panicked the Vaporeon.
-Don't worry, added Storm.  It's natural to be afraid the first time.
-I'm telling you!  This bump wasn't there yesterday!
Her mother simply smiled at her daughter.  Storm was the same with her own mother when she learned she was pregnant of Aqua.  A smirk appeared on her lips at the thought of it.
-This isn't funny!  yelled Aqua.
-You just remind me of myself when I was in your place.
-Shadow told me I wasn't due before a couple of weeks!
-Did you think it would appear right before you would give birth?
-I'm just not prepared yet!  I only told Pyro, Shadow and aunt Star about it!
-Aqua, you should calm down a little.  Your emotions are getting the better of you again.
Aqua groaned as she tried to relax.  She always was emotional.  As she slowed down her breathing, she could feel her muscles loosen.
-Better?  asked the Jolteon
-Thanks, replied the Vaporeon.  The stress is going away.
-I can't stay for much longer, sweetie.
-But why?  cried Aqua as tears filled up her eyes again.
-Don't cry, sweetie.  This isn't goodbye forever, you know?
Storm hugged her daughter one last time before she had to leave.
-Take care of your brothers and sisters for me, will you?  Storm said before backing away.
-Promise you'll come back…  Aqua asked.  Promise.
-I will… reply her mother.  I don't when, but I will…

The sun was already shining up in the sky when Aqua opened her eyes.  The other girls had already left the room.  The Vaporeon quickly got up on her paws to check her belly to see if she had only dreamed.  The bump was definitely there, just like in her dream.  "Why now?" she asked herself.  "Can't this wait?"   She now knew she would have to talk to the others about her baby.  She gathered her courage and exited her room.

When she got out, no one was there, except for Kiba's father.
-Hey there, sleepy head!  he greeted her with.
-Good morning, Mr. Kuro.  What do you mean?
-It's almost lunch time, that's what I mean!  Kiba left with the others some time ago.  They were going to grab a bite at the restaurant at the corner of the street.  They wanted to wake you up, but I told them to let you sleep a little more.
-Thank you!  Aqua replied as she left the motel.
When she got out, she took a deep breath and went forward to the small restaurant, expecting to meet everyone, but she found out they had left earlier.  "Gah…  I wish I had Shadow's psychic abilities…"  Aqua grumbled inside of herself.  She had no idea where they went, and yet she had to find them in a huge city!  She started by looking at the places Kiba hanged out the most, but they weren't there either.  She turned to go back at the motel when she almost collided with Yami who wasn't looking where he was going.
-Yami?
-Aqua!  Finally someone I know!
-Where are the others?
-I… kinda lost them, sighed Yami.
-How did you do that?
-I just turned to look at one of the stores.  I must have looked only five seconds.  When I turned back, they weren't there anymore.  Shadow contacted me with his mind, but I can't talk to him back.  This is so frustrating!
-Don't worry, explained Aqua.  We'll go back to the motel and wait there.
As they were walking back, Yami was looking all around him, amazed.
-I now see how much of the world I missed while with my father, the Absol was always saying.  I've never seen so many buildings before.
-You lived in a forest, so it's normal, after all.
-Yeah...  but still...  This is amazing!
They continued talking until they reached Kiba's home.  They waited there until the others finally came back.
-Sorry we're late, tried explaining Pyro.  We lost Yami and tried finding him, but we see you found him before us.
-Where were you guys?  asked Aqua, who was tired of waiting.
-We ate at the restaurant, started Kiba.  After that, I wanted to give them a little tour of the city.  I heard you visited part of the place, so I wanted to show them more.  You know the rest.
Aqua was getting nervous again.  She thought she'd be ready to tell Kiba, but she was shaking like never before.  Pyro seemed to have noticed that, though.
-You alright, Aqua?  he asked.  You're shivering.  It's not cold here.
-I don't think she's cold, commented Scar.
-Then what do you think she has?
-Her aura seems different.  I can't feel how, but I just know it...
Aqua closed her eyes as she gathered what was left of courage in her heart and spoke.
-Guys, she started, I have something to tell you…