Patron Quadrilogy: The Rainbow Wings of the Land and the Silver Wings of the Sea

Fleeing Johto

May 20

Owen

Location: Ilex Forest

I looked down from the tree with my Minun to see if I could find or sense the Patron that was after me and Raina. There was no sign of him. I gave out a sigh of relief and went back to sitting with Raina who was reading a book about the history of Patrons (Given to her by Steven, the Patron of Rayquaza), while her Plusle was eating a berry on her shoulder. "You okay?" I asked her.

My best friend looked up. Her usually bright red eyes were dull and full of something that I wouldn't say went well with Raina: Insecurity. "Yeah, I guess I'm fine." She said quietly.

That sounded like a lie. For as long as I can remember, Raina could make a lie sound like the truth. But now, I knew Raina wasn't like this unless something absolutely ticked her off or pushed her off the edge.

I needed to know what was wrong with her. "You sure, Rain?" I asked. Raina looked up from her book. "Of course, Owen. Why are you asking these questions?"

I looked down. "Well, you've been quiet for the past few minutes, and I don't really think you're telling me the truth even though you're telling me that you're fine," I started petting Minun. "You know that you can tell me anything. All I'll do is listen, think, and then tell you my opinion. All you have to do is tell me, Raina." This was one of the first times I've said her full name. I usually just called her Rain, Rainy, Sunny, Cloudy, Stormy — well, almost anything weather related, for Arceus's sake. But I was serious now.

". . ." My best friend looked down in silence before mumbling something that I couldn't hear. "What did you say?" I asked. Smack. The book Raina was reading slapped shut. "Raina?" "I'm scared, okay?! Now leave me alone!" She snapped. "Not unless you calm down and tell me everything. I have a feeling that you're not only afraid of what happened today," I said calmly.

Raina looked down, a shadow covering her eyes. "It's just that . . .Ever since we became Patrons and awakened our powers, I . . . didn't really feel like myself again. For the first time in three years, the first time after my mom . . . got murdered right in front of my eyes, I felt scared . . . wanted, like a criminal," Tears that she was holding back for so long finally came out of her crimson irises as she hugged Plusle closer to her chest. "Every time I go to sleep, I get nightmares that I won't be able to control my powers and unleash a tsunami or hurricane and then people calling me a monster or a freak. I feel like I'm not human anymore."

My eyes widened as a looked down. "Owen? Are you alright?" Raina asked me. I was just shocked both inside and outside. Raina, who loved to eat iced persimmons with me, and put flowers in her hair, Raina who's always said to have courage and be yourself, Raina who never let her emotions get the best of her and told me that the only regret is having regrets . . .

. . . That girl disappeared. That wasn't the Raina I know. I heard her sigh. "Owen, what's wrong? Seriously, you're freaking me out — oof!" I tackled her into a hug. "Owen, what happened — " I cut her off. "What happened to you, Raina? What happened to the girl who was always cheerful and looked at the bright side of things?! What happened to that clearheaded Trainer and Patron of Lugia?!"

". . ." My best friend was quiet for a minute before she finally said something to me: "Why are you concerned?" I blinked. "Why am I —? *sigh* Because I care about you, Rainy. You're my best friend. Aren't best friends supposed to help each other through thick and thin? I hugged her closer. "And don't worry about that Dark Patron trying to catch us. We've escaped him once, haven't we? Next time he comes, he won't notice that we're gone. So don't act like it's the end of the world or the Patron Order. Like I said, just tell me something you need to get off of your chest and I'll tell you a solution."

"Can I ask you something then?"

"Already? Well, shoot. Fire away."

"Can you let me go? You're hugging me too tightly."

"Oh . . ." I released her, blushing. "Sorry, I didn't notice." Raina twirled a lock of her hair. "S'okay," She looked at the setting sun in the pink sky. "I don't think Johto's safe for us anymore." I looked at her. "What do you mean." She sighed, rolling her head back against the thick trunk of the tree. "I don't know if it's my instinct or my Patron senses, but for some reason, as long as we're in Johto, Harley will be able to find us. I know that you'd probably don't want to leave, but we have to."

I smiled getting up. "I'm fine by that. If we sense that guy anywhere, we can always escape to another region to throw him off of our trail, can't we?" I held my hand towards her. "Now let's go and pack up. We're going back to Hoenn — tomorrow."

May 21

Location: Goldenrod City Airport, Johto

I was sleeping on something, snoring quietly before something — or someone — shook me up. "Wha — ?"

"Wake up, sleepyhead. That's my shoulder you're sleeping on." My eyes shot open to the sound of that familiar voice as I got off of Raina. "Sorry," I said, blushing. I gave out a bark of nervous laughter, scratching the back of my neck. "Didn't mean to, Rain."

My best friend looked down, gripping the strap of her one-strap bag. "Whatever. Just . . . don't do that again, okay? I'm not a pillow." I noticed that her cheeks were tinted a pale pink. I smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you blushing, Rainy?"

"Don't be stupid, Owen. Of course I'm not."

Oh really? Did you secretly enjoy me on your shoulder?"

"I SAID, I'M NOT BLUSHING! NOW SHUT UP!!!"

"That girl can go from annoyed to pissed in a single second," Ho-Oh commented.

"Eh, ya get used to it."

Just then, our flight got called. Raina gave me another hmph! as we started to board. I smiled, looking at the window. It's gonna be real nice to see you again, Hoenn.

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Woo-hoo! I got to update! FINALLY!!!

Okay, as you know, I have online classes at home on the weekdays. So, like I said in the previous chapter, do not expect fast updates. I have school.

Next chapter: Two months have passed since the Festival Incident and our Patron duo has met Brendan again and are on a day out with him! How'll their day turn out to be?

OrigamiLantern11, lights out!