Crossing of the Paths

Book 1: Desert Wind - Chunk 13

The Crossing of the Paths
Second Edition
By MMM/AJ
Part I: Desert Wind

A/N: Well folks, we're really getting close to the end of Desert Wind now! This chunk begins what I'd call the Final Stretch. There's just one more left after this one, then we're caught up with what I've written. Please don't forget that we'll be slowing back down to my usual slow speed once this happens!

This chunk is also a MONSTER too, just like the last one. 48,000 words and then some, and the next one will be just as big. So the story really got kinda back-heavy by the end, lol. I also feel it's necessary to warn everyone that the content in this story gets VERY DARK at some points in this chunk. Darker even than next chunk. It's probably one of the heaviest things I've ever written. Those who were with me and read the original first edition of the story will know exactly what I'm talking about. So just like before, I'm appending a big ol CONTENT WARNING to the A/N at the end of this chunk. I ask that any of you folks sensitive to violent content please jump down there to read it first, and read at your discretion. And as always, please kick back and enjoy! I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Chapter 29 - Journey's End

The low, ominous rumbling of distant thunder came rolling through the trees when Mewtwo and Kalana next woke. They had decided to take a brief rest in the forest after their ordeal with Valisse, figuring this would be their last chance to do so with something over their heads after losing their Helmasaur. Now it seemed like they had made the right decision; Mewtwo couldn't even see any daylight filtering down through the forest canopy despite the fact that it was well into mid morning. He didn't think the forest was dense enough to block out ALL sunlight, so there must have been a gnarly storm getting ready to hit them. He ate his meager morning rations in silence, then sniffed at the air when another deep chord of thunder rolled through.

"Hmm, that's odd. It sounds like a storm is coming but I don't smell any petrichor." He noted as he packed his things up.

"Pet-what?" Kalana mumbled.

"It's a word for the rich scent of wet Earth that arises after rain."

"I haven't seen rain in over a decade." Kalana said, her voice taking on a wistful tone.

Mewtwo suddenly felt like a colossal heel for talking so flippantly about rain around someone who probably had only seen it once or twice in their entire life. He brushed the feeling off fairly quickly though as another rumble echoed through the forest.

"Well if that thunder is anything to go by then we should be seeing some soon."

"As refreshing as that sounds I'm not sure I like the idea of lugging around heavy wet gear. Come on, we still have a lot of ground to cover and our rations aren't getting any more plentiful."

Mewtwo initially nodded in agreement and got up to leave with her, but then a thought struck him. He furrowed his brow and dug the Forest Medallion out of his backpack.

"Before we go any further it may be wise for us to attempt to bond with our Medallions first. According to Valisse the Sulaaq capital isn't much further once we leave the forest and I'd rather not wait until we're trying to sneak through the city to do this. For all we know the process might create a burst of light or energy that would give away our presence. The forest is the best place to conceal such a potential event."

Kalana rubbed her chin thoughtfully and nodded, but her expression was still grim. "I guess you're right, but I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do. You have it easy, you got the directions given to you by the Deku Tree himself. I didn't get so much as a hint. What should I do?"