Puppeteer | An AU

Chapter Four: Watching and Waiting

Tamao stretched, and grabbed Sakura, holding her close as he got ready for the day. "Sakura? Do you want to eat cereal, or pancakes? Or, a school breakfast?" Tamao asked, leaving his room with the plush in his paws.

"Toast? I can do that! Do you want jelly?" He persisted upon receiving her answer. Once Tamao obtained Sakura's response, he set her down at the table and grabbed some toast, popping it into the toaster.

And thus, the wait began. "Morning, Tam." Star'Gazer greeted, yawning. "I'm going to head out and go home." He stated, not bothering to grab anything to eat. Tamao glanced up at the other eevee and nodded. "Bye Star'Gazer!" He squeaked.

The toast popped up, and Tamao made Sakura's jelly toast, eating his own. He took Sakura's empty plate once she was done, her button eyes watching his steps.

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Star'Gazer knew he was in for an earful. What did he care? The walk home was long, especially so with all of the birds being menaces today. Tamao's obsession with that doll was odd, but he could see why.

His steps were silent as he eventually got to the large house his parents owned. It made him sick being near here. He knew exactly how his parents got the money to own such a nice house. They hurt people, they ran a gang for crying out loud!

He was expected to take a roll in the gang one day, but he really, really did not want to. Especially not when he could be doing something else, like studying space, or helping everyone in some way!

Frankly, his eldest sister- Glacier'Gazer, was the only smart one. Leaving the family to become a teacher. Of course, Star'Gazer knew his sister did bad things. He saw the body, after all. Not that he remembered it, but he knew he did. It was in his journal. 

The second eldest, Cloud'Gazer, is the heiress to the gang. Star'Gazer knew Cloud'Gazer hated Glacier'Gazer for her betrayal. They were all just lucky Glacier'Gazer didn't say anything to the police force. 

Star'Gazer opened the door to his home, drearily looking around the living room to try to see if anyone was in there. No? Good. He skittered inside and rushed to his room. He didn't want to hear about Glacier'Gazer's status out of fear for the worst. His parents wanted her dead.

Their own child. It was scary. Star'Gazer took a deep breath once he entered his bedroom, spotting the box on his desk. Oh? He approached and looked at the note.

It was from his parents. They were upset when writing it, Star'Gazer could tell.

Dear Star'Gazer,

You better come back and take this. It's a Moonstone for you to use. Once the time is right of course. I don't want you to go there. They're not your friends, never will be. Trust your mother on this, child. Don't test me. You'll be getting an earful later.

With lots of love, Magpie'Gazer.

Great. Star'Gazer's family was pissed. They want him to evolve into an Umbreon? Like hell he will. He's going to do what Glacier'Gazer did, even if it puts his own life on the line. He won't let this dumb, cruel gang dictate his life! He won't give his parents the satisfaction of joining their gang.

Huffing, Star'Gazer grabbed some of his stuff and shoved it into a bag. He doesn't want to risk going over to Tam's place, but he's sure Aisuru or Azurn could help! Some way, some how, they had to!

"Star'Gazer?" The Pokemon who spoke scoffed, as Star'Gazer froze. "What the fuck do you think you're doing? You're planning on leaving us, huh? Do you really want to betray the family?" Cloud'Gazer hissed, as Star'Gazer turned to face his sister. "How are you okay with this? Our parents are killing people every day-!" 

Cloud'Gazer cut Star'Gazer off, the younger of the two shrinking in on himself. "Glacier'Gazer killed before, and yet you still want to follow in her footsteps!? We're doing this to make the world a better place, get that into your thick skull!" Cloud'Gazer glared at the eevee. 

Star'Gazer glared back at the shiny Flareon. Who was she to tell him what to do!? "We're doing this because our government is fucking irresponsible, don't you understand? But no, the second anyone tries to actually take care of what the government is messing up, we get sent to jail." Cloud'Gazer ranted.

"You know what? I'll give you ten seconds to leave. If you're not back by next week, I'll tell mother and father about your betrayal." Cloud'Gazer suddenly decided.

Star'Gazer's eyes widened as he stared at Cloud'Gazer, the adrenaline rushing in once she started counting down. He grabbed his stuff and bolted out of his bedroom and out of the house. He could hear his blood rushing in his ears, he just needed to get out of there. 

He ran as fast as he could. He needed to get to Tam's house, that was for sure! He just had to make sure he wasn't being followed. Star'Gazer took the long way there, even taking detours along the way, covering his scent many times.

He needed to protect them. Tamao's family was more of a family to him than his own ever was. But he knew he needed help, who else could he turn to?

Star'Gazer approached the back door of Tamao's home and knocked. Loudly.

By now, the adrenaline was wearing out, and he could feel his limbs shaking. He was lucky Cloud'Gazer didn't try attacking him, he didn't even know he could run that fast! He felt tired. And gross.

He could barely process his own surroundings as Aisuru brought Star'Gazer in, sitting him down on the couch, trying to talk to him.

What was she even saying?