A Sad Story {Mod}

[Gred and Forge Forever]

In the depths of the Runic Glade, a girl lay in a hammock-like cluster of vines. Her Pokemon were sitting on soft patches of the forest floor, looking up at their master, tears in their eyes as she read them a book she had bought just before she entered the forest. It was called The Hunger Games By Suzanne Colins, and she too, was crying a little as she read.

"Don't go." Rue tightens her grip on my hand. "Course not. Staying right here," I say. I move closer to her, pulling her head onto my lap. I gently brush the dark, thick hair back behind her ears. "Sing," she says, but I barely catch the words. The song that comes to me is a simple lullaby, one we sing fretful, hungry babies to sleep. I give a small cough, swallow hard, and begin.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.

Alex, her voice geting slightly hoarse, stopped. She looked down to see what effect this was having on her Pokemon. Lucario was sitting with his eyes closed, but they fluttered open when Alex stopped, eyes slightly wet. Charmander was staring wide eyed and Absol was sleeping. Alex sighed and placed the book back in her bag. It was a wonderful book, and it took all her willpower to keep herself from reading it alone, but she couldn't, not with her Pokemon dying to hear the story too, well, save Absol. Alex just lay back in her hammock and listened to the sounds of the forest. Ducklet's singing in the trees, fett scurrying on the ground, and the wind breathing through the forest, making leaves flutter through the hot air. It was nice to be in the forest, she could tell that her Pokemon were really relaxing, letting the usual stress of the day flow away. The shock of the day was seeing a Togepi appear in front of them, jumping and giggling happily. Alex, being the huge overreactor she was, screamed. This alerted the Togepi who immediatly ran off into the forest, leaving Alex behind feeling extremely stupid. Slowly, listening to the soft buzz of a Ledyba and the songs of Cherubi, Alex slowly drifted into a doze, Lucario and Charmander following suite.

[DJ Boomkitty]

The Glade was indeed a peaceful place, relaxing, quiet and - oh dear, what was that? A loud snort resounded from some nearby shrubbery, a pair of rounded antlers poking up through them. The snort was followed by softer noises, whimpering almost... what was that all about, ne?

At the same time, squabbling could be heard from farther up in the trees; if Alex or her Poke'mon ventured a glance upwards, they would see a Togetic thwapping a small Ducklett on the noggin, looking rather irritated by the blue duckling. The Ducklett glared at his opponent, his beak opening to spew a load of Ducklett nonsense towards the Togetic, whom only thwapped him again. A small brawl broke out between the two... oh dear.

[Gred and Forge Forever]

Alex was enjoying her very relaxing doze when she heard some noises in the trees above. Her eyes slowly opened and she looked up and saw the Togetic and the Ducklett in a brawl. What? What was going on? One by one, Alex's three Pokemon raised their sleepy heads, last of Absol, obviously much more tired then the rest, being the first to fall asleep and the last to wake up. They too, looked up and saw the fight, all but Charmander disregarding the antlers. Alex jumped off her vine hammock and looked straight up at the quarrling forest Pokemon. "Ummm..." She didn't know what to say. "Uh, hey! You two!" She waved her arms at the two. "Stop!"

Meanwhile, Charmander was edging away towards the sound, unnoticed by Alex, Absol, and Lucario. He was just reaching the bush when Absol spotted him. She walked forward. <What is it?> Charmander pointed to the bush were the antlers were sticking out. <I think it's a Pokemon, and I think its wounded.>

[DJ Boomkitty]

The Ducklett appeared to have heard Alex, because he looked down when she called for them to stop fighting. The Togetic heard also, but had decided to use this as a chance to get this annoying Ducklett out of here! With a huff, the Togetic shoved the Ducklett off the branch, the small blue duckling startling with a loud "LETT!" before falling to the ground below... fortunately, he was able to flap his little wings to parachute himself, but that didn't stop him from landing roughly.

The Togetic flew down and shook his head, glaring at the Ducklett. <That's what you get for trying to steal from my nest, you thief!> He snapped to the blue duck, whom just "Hmph'd" and looked away. <You have so much stuff to spare, you wouldn't have missed any of it...> The Ducklett sneered, earning himself another slap on the beak from the Togetic. Oh Arceus, it looked like they were about to fight again...

Meanwhile, in the bushes, the mysterious Poke'mon suddenly became quiet as the Charmander spoke. Soon after there was rustling, and a Stantler stuck her head out through the bushes, tears in her eyes. But this Stantler looked different... she was very, very white. Leucistic, perhaps? <Oh no, I'm not injured...> She sniffed, blinking away some tears. <That story was just so... just so... uwaaaa~> And she began crying again, obviously very emotional.

[Gred and Forge Forever]

Lucario, being a Pokemon of aura and having the ability to use it to comunicate with humans, quickly translated the Pokemon's words. The second after this, Lucario knew what he had to do. Without hesitation, he turned back to the two, jumped in between them, and pushed them away from each other. <Stop fighting! There's no reason to!> It sure was hard to keep fighting Pokemon away from each other...

Meanwhile, Charmander and Absol watched as the white Stantler appeared, sobbing. When she stated her reason, Absol turned her head away, trying to hide a laugh. <Even I didn't cry listening to the book.> Charmander swatted her head. <That's saying something, seeing as you fell asleep before Alex could read a paragraph!> He turned back to Stantler. <It's okay. We all think that book is really sad at the moment. It's a good book, though, isn't it?>

[DJ Boomkitty]

The sudden appearance of the Lucario made the two quarreling Poke'mon take a step back from one another, but they were still glaring daggers. The Togetic pointed an accusing arm towards the Ducklett, frowning greatly. <He deserves it! He steals from others all the time, and is a royal pain in the ass!> He spat, the Ducklett shrugging and folding his wings, looking away. <Its not my fault you guys leave stuff out in the open all the time~> The Ducklett jeered with a wink, earning him a fierce glare.

The Stantler snuffled and took a few steps out from the bushes, revealing her full form; yes, she was indeed leucistic, it was confirmed by her white fur and icy blue eyes, which were still wet with tears. She ignored the Absol, instead bending her head down to be eye-level with the Charmander. <Oh, oh yes it was wonderful~> She crooned dramatically, giggling somewhat. <It gave me the willies~>

[Gred and Forge Forever]

Lucario slowly took his hands off the two Pokemon, sighing. They would never learn to control themselves, will they? Alex stepped forward, thinking just the same thing. Wow, that Togetic's anger wasn't much different from her own and she knew just how it felt. "Hey, Ducklett, that wasn't nice to steal some of Togetic's nest. Togetic worked hard on it I bet. You could just get your own. She turned to Togetic. "There wasn't any reason to start a fight. All you had to do was either ask for it back, or" An amused gleam psarkled into Alex's eyes. "you could have stolen it back to see how Ducklett liked it."

Meanwhile, Absol was lying down next to charmander, eyes closed and shaking with laughter. Charmander swatted her again, then turned back to Stantler. She had a sudden idea that would not only shut Absol up, but perhaps calm down Stantler. "Would you like me to try and read some more of the story?" Without waiting for an answer, Charmander leaped away towards the black book with a gold bird imprinted on the front. With slight difficulty, he picked it up and brought it back. Alex had taught them how to read...a little. All those human letters were a bit confusing to read, but Charmander could still read with consistancy. He opened it to the marked page and began to read.

Rue's eyes have fluttered shut. My throat releases the tears and they slide down my cheek. But I have to finish the song for her.

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leave, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.

Here it is safe, here it is warm,
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tommarrow brings them true
Here is the place were I love you.

Everything is still and quiet. Then, almost eerily, the mockingjays take up my song. For a moment I site there, watching my tears drip down on her face. Rue's cannon fires. I lean forward and press my lips against her temple. Slowly, as if not to wake her, I lay her head back on the ground and release her hand.

[DJ Boomkitty]

The Togetic and Ducklett exchanged another glance before regarding Alex and her words. The Ducklett gawked at the girl and 'humph'd', turning his back to her. <Pah, humans think they own the dang place like the world police...> He grumbled irritatedly, being a general sour puss. The Togetic shook his head and then listened as Alex addressed him, blushing somewhat in embarrassment as he was scolded gently. When Alex had finished, the Togetic bowed his head gently and nodded. <I suppose you are correct...> He murmured gently, glancing back towards the Ducklett. <Sometimes my temper makes me a bit... rash, at times.> He continued, sighing to look up at the girl. He extended an arm in greeting, quite like a handshake. <I'm Togetic!>

The Stantler, meanwhile, had laid down on her haunches and was eagerly listening as the Charmander began reading again. Oh... oh it was so horribly sad, but so poetic and and... <Its... so... EMOTIONAL~> She spluttered, beginning to bawl openly again. Good Arceus, every Poke'mon in the Glade could probably hear her cry.

The Ducklett blinked and looked over towards the Stantler, face-palming (or winging, technically~). <Ugh, its Stantler again...> He muttered, shaking his head. <Oii sister, stop the dang waterworks, will ya?> He yelled, but the Stantler hadn't heard over her blubbering.