The Aura's Alone (Book 4)

Prolouge

Twilight stars were the only light that was produced right then. It was warm, summer. Yet a cool breeze passed by to make it perfect weather. Perfect weather for a perfectly peaceful night.

Everyone was asleep. Well, everyone excluding a Lucario.

He was leaned back against the tree him and Star usually slept by in a sitting position, legs crossed. Cookie managed to make herself comfortable in his lap along with Clara, their soft fur warming him from the occasional blow of wind. Curled up against the side of his leg was Blossom, who was wrapped protectively around Star, who had Shad nestled against his chest. Blossom's tail curled around Nature's, and the fellow Eeveelution was laying on Willow's fluffy back. Willow was hugging her pet rock, Frank, while she slept with a contented smile.

Ember was up in her tree, sleeping in the branches. Bubbles was asleep in a marshy kind of place beside it, somewhat near Lucas.

As for the rest, they were by the rocks. Cross was coiled into a ball, Kim right beside her. Blade was on the biggest boulder, facing upwards, starfish style.

If only he could fall asleep then and there. It was to peaceful to try and resist. Well, except he could sense Blossom having nightmares again. He couldn't help.

Lucas let out a quiet sigh and looked down at the ones surrounding him. Not long now.

For the time being, he just listened to the music of the wind and breathing of his friends.
But, of course, it wasn't long until the melody was interrupted.

"Lucas." A voice whispered from somewhere he couldn't see. Lucas wasn't startled, since he's been expecting someone. But the familiarity behind it... it sorta scared him.

He nodded quietly to signify he heard, and looked down at the two in his lap. Dang. He knew Cookie was a light sleeper. He could manage to not wake Clara up, but Cookie..

With gentle paws he picked up Clara, setting her beside Willow. The Eevee absentmindedly twitched for a second, and then scooted closer to Willow.

When Lucas turned to pick up Cookie, he was already met with her tired eyes. Damnit.

"Lucas...?" She mumbled, rubbing one of her cheeks, trying to wake herself up. "Why are you up?"

"Because you two were on my lap, it's kinda hard to lay down." He offered a joke, even though he knew it wouldn't distract her.

She didn't reply. Just turned her head to the moon to be aware what time it was. "...have you been up this entire time?" Looking back at him, she frowned. "You trained like heck today. You should be worn out, Sensei."

Lucas couldn't help but give a soft smile at the nickname. She'd called him that since forever, but it always hit a soft spot in him.

No Lucas. Don't start getting involv-

Damn, what he'd do to protect her. She was just to innocent. He wanted to do that with all the more innocent, childlike ones though. Just wanted to force Cookie, Willow, Nature, Shad, Bubbles, and Clara into a bubble. Anyone who tried to pop it would get punched in the face by him or one of the others.

But Cookie? She was like his kid.

His... kid.

Her father.

Her father... Lucas caught himself twitch his paw out of reflex, his eyes starting to unfocus.

When they refocused, the shaky view was in a cave. Red claws were risen in the sight, they were owned by a gray and black paw.

He couldn't quite see through tears, but the claws struck and he felt like he was stumbling back. Blood covered the eyes now. With loss of balance, the illusion of falling to his side formed. White, blueish tipped paws extended from him helplessly. Here, they were his.