The Aura's Alone (Book 4)

Chapter 3

Lucas gripped his head.

How do I explain this without telling the group I've been meeting with the scientists behind their backs?
The creators didn't answer his thoughts. He sighed, standing up and ignoring his body's protests.

How do I explain this information I can't even BEGIN to understand.

He put on a natural posture, sensing someone approaching. It seemed like it was Willow and Nature.

"DUCAS." The two squealed and ran into him.

Lucas stumbled. "Woah- ok guys-"

Willow slid under him and stood upward so he was riding on her back. "YOU'RE UP- LITERALLY-"

Lucas offered an amused chuckle. "...So, what do you guys want?"

That was weird.

He didn't know what they wanted.

You five have something to do in this, don't you? Lucas thought to them.

Mmmhmm. Shyster answered in a sing-song tone.

That's your reward. For agreeing to our deal. Anime's voice answered in his head. You can't read their thoughts exactly. You can only sense their presence, and feel their emotions.

Lucas could hear Nature's voice answering his question, and he just nodded to pretend like he was listening, but in reality he kept talking with the voices.

Really? He could imagine how his eyes were lighting up right now.

Yep. Shyster said, making a popping noise at the 'p'.

But oNLy if you keep your side of the deal. Cloud warned.

Lucas was silent, ignoring Willow and Nature's screaming. His frown tugged questionably. The two didn't seem to notice he was in another world. Which was good. They were both oblivious it seemed, so he didn't have to hide anything.

Yeahhh... Lucas thought. I'm- not sure I can keep you up on that deal.

What. Shyster, Anime, and Cloud said, while all Chez said was a simple 'ok'.

Well- I mean- Lucas mentally facepalmed. How do you honestly expect me to tell the gang we have to move again, and with no proof?

There was a sigh of annoyance coming from Anime. Something told Lucas that she was the more-boss figure. Since Sniker wasn't a voice in his head for some reason, it seemed like she was the leader of the operation.

Anime answered with bluntness. They trust you, Luke.

Lucas sighed, deciding to let the conversation drop. He tuned back in to Nature and Willow's conversation.

"...AND THEN THERE WAS A FIRE." Willow explained, her tone was rushed while she somehow kept on a derpy expression.

Wait- what?

Nature nodded rapidly. "YEAH. AND CROSS TOLD US TO COME GET YOU, OH GREAT AND HOLY LEADER." She bowed sarcastically. "BUBBLES MANAGED TO GET RID OF THE FIRE, BUT HALF OF THE CAMP IS BURNED DOWN."

"AGAIN." Willow mumbled, referring to a cooking accident that happened a few days ago. Not much words needed to explain that one.

Willow. Cooking. The oven was Ember.

Lucas shook his paw for them to stop. "Wait, did the scientist do this? Zack caused the fire?"

They shook their heads up and down in swift movements.

"THEY LEFT," Willow assured, "BUT THE CAMP... AND- A FEW ARE HARMED." Her deep, caring side was starting to show, but not fully. "WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO."

SNIKER! Anime yelled in Lucas's mind while he could hear Chez snorting in the background saying something along the lines of "GO WIFE."

There was the sound of a slap of some sort, and then Cloud's voice. YOU SAID YOU WOULD GIVE HIM A WHILE. NOT NOW, BOI.

Yes, she did, but she knew her OCs. And she knew Lucas would not accept, unless it was under pure pressure.

So, now he had little choice.

Lucas groaned into his raised paw and used his athletic abilities to quickly hop to the center of their home.

And, sure enough, the center of their home was burned to crisp. The center. Out of all the places.

The only thing left in perfect shape were the boulders Cross liked.

All of them were gathered, and they looked at Lucas. Most of their expressions were expectant.

And I was knocked out in all of this. Lucas thought, feeling an extreme pang of guilt. He coughed. "Guys- I'm sorry I couldn't have helped sooner." He managed to get out.

Just then, a million thoughts hit him like a truck as if they were his own, all curled into one.

I can't believe this. That thought was Jewel's.

Even the stream is covered in ash. Star.

He probably feels really guilty. I wish I could tell him it wasn't his fault... Kim.

I'm... I'm scared. I don't like this. Lucas- Cross- please say everything will be alright. Say that you got a plan. Cookie.

I think this looks pretty cool. Ember.

Will we have to rebuild this? Clara.

For once, I have no idea how to move forward from here... Lucas, please have a plan. Cross.

Those scientist- I swear to fucking god. They're going to get such payback one day. Blossom.

The others were all mixed and melted together, to where he couldn't pick out individual words or voices. That's right. He hadn't agreed to the creators wants, so they gave him back his curse.

He mumbled words even he didn't understand to himself, fighting off the urge to rub his temple. "And- I know, this has happened before. Maybe not this bad, but..." he inhaled, they're going to think I'm fucking insane. "But I got an instinct."

"And what's it saying?" Cross asked challengingly. Lucas expected it.

He hesitated for a while. "...we need to go to Dragonfly Corner."

He waited for the thoughts, the thoughts of yelling and confusion and worry, but they didn't come. He held back the grin.

"...W-why?" Bubbles asked.

Lucas shrugged. "It's one of those gut instincts of mine, you know?" Wow, Lucas. Great impression.

"An instinct to just abandon our home and leave?" Jewel challenged crossly. "Seriously?"

Lucas shook his head. "No, it's not like that."

A bickering started, and then a voice coughed. Surprisingly, it was Star.

"Come on... c-calm down." He said. His voice was a lot quieter compared to all the fighting that just went down. "I think we should listen to him. I m-mean- when has his instincts led us wrong?" He seemed pretty firm about the idea, which is unusual, considering how he usually lets people trample all over his opinions.

Lucas caught his eye and gave him a smile. Star only nodded, but he had a knowing look in his eyes.

Blossom shrugged beside him. "Can't recall, honestly."

Everything was silent for a while, and Lucas could feel the pressure. The conflict of their emotions melting into emotions of his own.

Anxiety. Mixed with confusion. Mixed with rage, worry, wonder, and conflict.

"...so." Cross started slowly. "When would we leave?"