Orchid

Tsukune A.K.A. Meatballs

I don't know how to explain. I lift my hands and shrug, the universal sign of confusion. How the hell am I going to explain this situation with Tsukune's favor? His mate is knocked out, someone's dead in front of us, and we have the deadliest weapons ever in our hands. Oh, jeez. I look at Jason for help, but he's too busy trying to wake Amphitrite. Gosh. Why do I have to do all of the talking?

 Um, are you Tsukune? I ask politely. Rudeness might want to make him rip my hair off. Hi. I'm Orchid.

 Tsukune is glaring at me with piercing amber eyes. Orchid, eh? He scowls. Mind telling me what happened here? 

 Hero definitely warned me about this. That Tsukune was the grumpiest of the grumpy, while Kyo and Solara are the kawaii-est of the kawaii leagues. 

  Um...yeah. Soo...Evil Water rolled in, and he kinda like stabbed our Latin teacher, and I had to stab her to...um...yeah. Basically. And that's Jason. I point to him. Um...not a really good explanation, I guess?

 Tsukune's scowl deepens. I hope I didn't piss him off, or else Water is not on my side. I cross my fingers.

 Amphitrite rolls on her side and groans. What happened?

 Amphitrite? Tsukune's eyes light up and he comes over. What happened to you? He touches her gingerly. He turns back to me. Evil Water? You mean Malumaquae? His gaze darkens with hate. I thought he was gone a long time ago.

 Things are changing, I say. Wow, thanks, Inner Orchid. Such sage advice. And wait...didn't Kyo call you Meatballs? You kinda certainly look like one. He does. His cheeks are kinda puffy and his skin is just the right shade--darkish tannish but not too dark...

 Excuse me? he thunders.

 Oops. Totally wrong thing to say. I messed up. Err...I-I just forgot. Carry on. I wave my hand to them.

 Tsukune, it's nothing. Amphitrite smiles, and Tsukune's frown melts to a smile. They're my heroes!

 Oh, really, Tsukune muses. His eyebrows meet in a dark slant of thought. But how come the Oracle says that in the prophecy, she might help the worst enemy in Vidalia? She is not to be trusted.

 You won't regret bringing her in and allying with her, Amphitrite promises. She's on our side.

 My sister is the one who joined forces with her, I say. Her name is Arya, short for Aurora. She's the daughter of Lycaeon.

 Silence! Tsukune's dark eyes flare with anger and disapproval. That name is not to be spoken.

 Grouchy, isn't he? I comment. You would've thought he came out of the Harry Potter world. I snicker. A true person who fears the name of Voldemort, I guess? Except Voldemort is an ancient all-powerful woman instead that looks twenty years old. 

 I know. Amphitrite sighs. Lose some, win some, eh?

 Mm-hmm. I totally agree.

 Enough talking, Tsukune commands, and claps his hands. To his side rushes a young woman and young man. Both have solemn faces and appear the same age. 

 Who are they? I ask Amphitrite.

 They are Albatross and Auklet, Amphitrite whispers back. Twins, born at the same time.

 Aren't those types of seabirds? I've had enough with this sea-related namings, like I've been fed up with the knocking habit that the elves have. 

 We name our young after the items of the sea. Amphitrite's voice is dreamy. I was named after the wife of Poseidon, ancient Greek god of the sea. Tsukune...he was raised in the Outsider world, but his name originates from Tsunami. Get it? Tsu....Tsu?

 Great, I mumble. You're driving me nuts now. I kinda get it though. Like Airillia is an Air elementalist...Air, Air. And the advisor of Kyo, isn't her name Bris? Like short for Brisingr, the spell for Fire in the Inheritance Cycle that Christopher Paolini wrote?

 Amphitrite shrugs and her face hardens. I'm not familiar with those namings, she says haltingly. But I guess it's based like that...

 And Hero, I muse, Spirit elementalists are rare! That means any one of them could be a...hero! I'm pleased with my theory. But why was I named Orchid?

 Why was Kyonnes named Kyonnes? Amphitrite crosses her arms as the twins lead us toward the castle in the distance. Because you were raised in the Outsider world. If you had been raised accordingly, or changed your name like Hero, you would bear a different name. But your name is symbolic, Orchid.

 I don't know how to be a hero, Amphitrite. I'm so scared. I look to her for guidance.

 She breathes out softly. I'm not the savior, Orchid. I don't make your choices. She looks at me. You're the hero, Orchid. You have to believe what you do is right.