Four Paws and A Tale

Prologue:

A Long Time Ago

The king's knees buckled under the weight of his heavy cloak, but still he stood. Footsteps echoed as people quietly left the room. He turned and looked at his three sons. They stood just outside the door and they smiled sadly at him. They were triplets, all the age of about twelve.

The kingdom of Ardua, he loved it greatly, and loved his sons even more, but what was he to do now? He was a kind man, a good king, but a father? He didn't know if he could be what they needed.

The large and heavy double doors slammed close with a loud bang. The King turned and fell to his knees, his sword in its sheath clattered against the cold stone floor.

He placed a hand on his wife's coffin.

"I don't know what to do, please, help me."

He wept bitterly, the sun set and rose again. It smiled on his sunken form and watched from afar. King Alcarmia had exhausted his tears, he had none left. He was weary, for now he would rest and perhaps tomorrow, he would rise and finally learn, how to be a father.

He pulled the door open, the long hallway was deserted of all but one.

The King smiled sadly at his Pokémon.

"I suppose you didn't want me to be left alone? Thank-you, old friend. I'm sorry but I'm going to need your help one last time. I've shed all my tears, I have none left, use your tears wisely, tears show others how you feel. You should save your tears for when you really need them, I spent all my tears alone and now, I fear that I have forgotten how to feel. Help me to show my sons, that to me, they are more important than anything. Help me tell them, that I love them."

Zeraora smiled at his King. The first King of the Ardua region, King Alcarmia.

******

Present Day

Jacob was your standard 17-year-old, he had just finished year 11 and was moving into his final year of schooling. He didn't know what he was going to do afterwards. He currently lived with his mother in a small house in a little town in Australia. His dad was scumbag who had run off years ago, Jacob didn't know what had happened to him and he didn't care. His mother was a wonderful person, she had a kind heart and was good to everyone, whether they deserved it or not.

Jacob's father had left her all alone, left her to struggle with her two sons. Jacob's little brother had died when he was only 7, Jacob had been eleven at the time, he missed his brother.

He didn't have many friends, he was quiet, he wasn't shy, he just didn't say much, he liked being alone, and he let people know it. People were nice to him, he was mean to them. He ignored them, told them they were annoying or just straight-out asked them to leave.

His heart was heavy and cold and melted only for his mother, she alone could warm his heart. Her only wish was that her beloved son would one day find someone who would melt his heart permanently.

She hoped that he would meet someone who would make him happy. Someone who had the potential to warm his heart forever. Her son was a half. Half a boy, half a man, half dead, she wished that he might find his better half someday and that he would never let it go.

Little did she know, her wish would come true sooner than expected, her son would begin a journey from which he would return different, he would return alive. He would meet someone, someone who had more than enough firepower to melt his heart. Literally.

And when her son returned, when he once again lived, when he once again was happy, then, she could rest in peace.