Story: Meanwhile... Purity of Heart - p2

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Story: Meanwhile... Purity of Heart	Return to Mission Directory	
The boat ride back is surprisingly uneventful, despite the colourful company in the sloop, as Bál skillfully maneuvers the boat around obstacles aided by the northern winds in his sails. Besides providing such, Suicune also warns him of approaching blockades in advance, or rather they briefly did at the start of their venture - that is, until Bál let them know it wasn’t necessary, he knew the waters well enough.
Soon, the mist thins into oblivion, and Suicune falls behind with a nod from Bál, remaining shrouded by the mist as they prepare to return to the island now that their wind is no longer needed. As the remainder of the party sees the mainland draw closer, not long thereafter they can make out a makeshift camp on its shores. Multiple fires burn to drive away the bitter bite of the breeze: one at the end of the tail of an ever vigilant dragonoid, as the captain has kept the watch.
Both parties spot each other - and the closer they get, the deeper Gawain’s frown becomes as he doesn’t spot the prince. The longer the time stretches, the more his visage is overcome by a panic most would mistake as unbridled anger. His gaze continues to roam until he meets the gaze of Bál; it is held there, Bál’s own stare sending him a silent message to reel himself in, to no true effect.
Bál breaks the gaze as he jumps out of the boat, wading the last steps through the shallow shore to fasten the boat with a rope tied in a complicated-looking knot around a pole. There is just enough time for him to right himself as he comes face to face with Gawain.
: Capta’n.
: Where is th’ prince?
Bál resists the urge to raise his voice, holding up a paw to the dragon.
: Yet in th’ boat. If you’ll give me some space to breath, I’ll explain-
Gawain pushes pass Bál roughly, stomping through the shore towards the boat.
: I’d advise you to-
: Nicholas!
: ‘Course not, why would you listen to me?
: Ooohh it’s scaly-nonbear again, he’s gonna be so mad-
: Nicholas, answ’r me!
: Oooooh, he’s too mad to bear anything right now!
: It’s okay, I got this.
Bearis picks up the bundle that is Nicholas as he is just starting to rouse from having heard his name called out, and raises it above his head as if to throw him.
: No!
: Wha- Gawain?
: Take on this day a sacrifice of Glowmouse, and remove your pox of unbearing-ness-ess-bad-job-bearing-it!
: Good plan, Bearis! Deploy bearthrow, and have the tiny honorary bear save us with his final act of bear-become: death by gravity… assuming that the hypothermia doesn’t get them first!
: Bard. No thro-?!
Bál, however, has to shoot forward to hold back Gawain as he lunges for the bear, throwing the dragon back with all his might and standing in between the boat and Gawain.
: MOVE!
: Calm yourself. Bard, place Nicholas back in th’ boat.
Bearis shrugs as best he can, almost dropping Nicholas in doing so, and places Nicolas back down. Gawain watches like a hawk, fire licking his lips as it escapes from the corners of his mouth, and as soon as the prince is down, he whirls on Bál like a striking snake.
: Wha’. Happen’d?
: Nicholas went for a swim and wrestled the great Oceanbear!
: Wha’!?
: Fritlof, quiet. Nicholas is well ‘nuff, capta’n, he is, howev’r, sufferin’ from hypothermia, so if we can make our way to Læghelmine’s hall so he can recuperate, preferably now.
: How could ya let tha’ HAPP’N?!
: He didn’t, he wasn’t there to, so Glowmouse challenged Oceanbear by himself.
: It’s my fault, captain- I couldn’t get in after him because-
: Cecil, I told you, th’re was nothin’ you could have done, so let it go. All we can do now is make due, we will head to Læghelmine’s hall.
: No, I’ll take ‘im an’ you back ta Aether. I don’t trust any o’ you lot. Not tha’ bird, not those bears, not yer lapdog, an’ least o’ all you!
: Gawain, stop, I’m gonna be fine! And it was my own fault, I-
: Nicholas, be quiet an’ come ‘ere!
: Tha’s ‘nuff. I won’t allow tha’ on my watch, I won’t have th’ boy suffer for your poorly-controlled anger issues an’ your fear of failure.
: I don’t give a shit - if ya won’t come willin’ly, I’ll drag ya back.
: I would have had you deliver th’ boy to Læghelmine togeth’r wit’ Cecil, usin’ your body heat to keep th’ prince warm while I head’d straight to Aether.
: -but if you are too incompetent to even do tha’, I’ll make sure it's done myself.
: Wait, Bál, I can take Nicholas-
: We can help! We can take Glowmouse to order bird! : 
: We have bear agent Matu there! Last we heard, he had already infiltrated the kitchens, so entry will be smooth.
: Smooth as jumping directly through a wall, and then kicking holes in the wall where your body didn’t go through!
: (turning to the boat) We will stop wastin’ time arguin’ an’ ALL go, it’s not a large delay in th’ journey to Aether. Th’ boy needs the heat of a flame, so now come Nicholas, swiftly now.
: (blocking Bál’s path to Nicholas) Yer no’ goin’ anywhere. I don’t trust ya wit’ Nicholas.
: I wasn’t askin’ for your permission. I frankly don’t need it an’ could care less for it.
Gawain makes a grab for Bál, an attempt to subdue him, but Bál sidesteps him and quickly delivers a weak Thunder Punch to the stomach.
: We don’t have time for your temper! Now tha’ you’re in th’ snow, use th’ occasion to cool down an’ get over yourself. If you care ‘bout th’ kid an’ your king, you’ll see there is reason to do as I say-!
Gawain lets out a roar and attacks with an Outrage, so swiftly that Bál can only do his best to block-
: I should have expect’d this irrational behaviour from you, but I’d hoped you’d be less erratic sober. Stop this at once, th’ boy needs to get to-
Gawain strikes once more; while Bál is better prepared this time, the sheer anger and power behind the attack is hard to defend against. Despite the strong attacks, Bál appears barely damaged, but this enrages the captain even more.
: Stop! Gawain!
: I ORDER YOU TO STOP!
: We have to stop him! (turning to the bears) Why are you not helping Bál, he’s backed into a corner!
: Pff, an honorary bear backed into a corner?!
: We feel you keep forgetting he wrestled Oceanbear and won, he’s done that many a time before. He has even trained with Oceanbear and won Oceanbear’s respect, Glowmouse.
: Scaley-nonbear is no Oceanbear, he isn’t even an honorary bear. He stands no chance. Nothing makes us bears more proud than to watch our honorary bears do pawesome things, and this honorary bear is no exception!
: Just sit back and watch his pandamonium in action!
Nicholas sends a pleading look to Cecil, who’s looking very tired but focused intently on the match.
: They are right, but we do need to stop Gawain. The reason Bál isn’t returning “fire” is because we all know we are not alone. He doesn’t want “them” to interfere. They are at the edge of my vision, but I-
: !
: What’s wrong, Cecil, you look ill- you’re shaking!
: It’s Suicune, anger but- darker- I can’t keep my focus on it! We need to stop Gawain now!
: Low chance of survival, high chance to burn, beary risky, but nothing cooks toast like fire!
: WE WHO ARE ABOUT TO GET TOASTY GREET THEE, RAGING ALCOHOLIC!!
Both bears salute and jump out of the boat, just as Gawain is shaking his head from the confusion, backlash of using such an powerful attack.
: Are you quite done? You do not realize wha’ you’re doin’. Pride be damned, I am askin’ you, please stop.
: So high an’ mighty - so he’s NOT too good t’ say “please.” I told ya, I will drag ya t’ Aether if I have t’, so eith’r ya start walkin’ or-
: Wheewhoo, wheewoo, bearpolice here!
: You are under arrest for not BEARING IT, scaley nonbear!
The two bears have used Gawain’s confusion to sneak up on him, each restraining a side by bearhugging.
: Capta’n. Don’t-
However, Gawain - perhaps in confusion, perhaps with frustration over everything - releases a torrent of flames towards Bál. The Typhlosion doesn’t even try to dodge, for he knows the flames will never hit him, as an echoing howl and a flash of water infused with energy eviscerate the flames into steam. Nobody utters a sound, and only the hiss of steam accompanies their shock. For before them stands Suicune, between them, Bál, and those yet in the boat.
But not as he was before: a dark aura, not yet overwhelming but steadily building, now swishes around him like a brewing storm. The bears hug Gawain a little tighter, holding him before them as a meat shield.
: (whispering) Oh no, purple hair! Scaley-nonbear, honorary bears! Do not engage!
: (whispering) Purple hair is beary dangerous like this, stay behind the bears!
But the dragon couldn’t move, even if he wanted to: he is frozen in place, the shock as well as the glare the beast before him cast his way, and its powerful ancient presence, enough to paralyse him to his core. When the beast speaks, it’s more like a howl as it echoes and vibrates every word on the wind.
: You Shall Not Touch Him!
Without hesitation, Bál moves in between Gawain and Suicune, holding his paws up placatingly.
: Suicune! You need to get back to th’ island NOW! You cannot leave th’ mist barrier, you know this!
A ways back from the situation, Cecil curls in on himself, clutching his stomach, his head, anything to make it stop.
: Too dark!
: W-what is going on?
: That’s - its Aura. I can’t block it out!
Whatever it is that the Lucario is seeing seems to physically hurt him. Nicholas’ attention is brought back to the object of Cecil’s pain as Bál tries to shout over the howling winds.
: Save. Won’t let you die!
: I’m not dyin’ - wha’ can he do, his attacks won’t mar me! Go to th’ island!
: No. The vision of the future-
: You know I let NOBODY set my path! No future is set in stone! But if you continue this - th’re is only one path for th’ BOTH of us!
: … I will make you stay. You will be… safe.
: Shi- you listen to ME, you’re becomin’ like THEM! You fought it fo’ so long, don’t give in now, stay pure, remember! I took too many baths to let you get away wit’ it now!
: No, you must… I cannot…
: This isn’t goin’ to work-
Suicune tries to get past Bál, and he grabs Suicune by the horn to physically stop his advance. But the legendary struggles in his grasp, and he puts all his hope in this one last idea-
: Kid, throw me one of those bottles!
: What?
Nicholas stiffens as all eyes turn to him, and all the stress of the day crashes upon him… but he’s distracted from them as he feels a soft touch to his arm and an even gentler warmth fills him, reassuring, calming him.
:
: Iron Bear?
The tiny golem touches the Lucario too, whose shivers decrease in intensity.
: What - how did they build something so-?
:
: I don’t understand-
:
The small golem opens one of the bags from the boat, and from inside, a ringing sound echoes as they produce a glass bottle, shimmering as water sloshes inside.
: The purified water?
: Now would be good, kid!
:
Nicholas takes the offered bottle, and follows Iron Bear’s pointed finger.
: RIGHT! The water can help! Right!
: YES! It would help, NOW!
With that, the prince hops from the boat a second time, this time his paws meeting sand as he rushes towards Bál, the cold in his bones nigh forgotten due to the rush of adrenaline.
: Bál! CATCH!
: Nicholas, get back!
: Thanksssshi-
A few things happen at once: with Gawain’s shout, the enraged legendary turns their focus from Bál to the dragon that holds their ire. Due to Bál having to free up one hand to catch the bottle, Suicune is able to throw him aside with one mighty swing of their horn, and they storm towards Gawain, shadows in their gaze-
: Fritlof, Bard!
:
Suicune has barely time to face their attackers as the two bears have begun their assault… by slinging snowballs at the beast with their axes???
: Our snowballs, so swift, so graceful, so almost-a-circle, they never miss!
 : Honorary bears, to battle! Grab the snow and throw! Create a bearrier worthy of bears!!
: Everyone, help the bears! Don’t do anything else, we don’t want Suicune to focus on only you!
Some of the Aetherians have regained their senses as they too jump into action at their prince’s command. Before Suicune has time to react properly, Bál throws himself on their back, grabbing them by the two prongs of their horn and smashing the bottle at its base. As the contents splash over Suicune’s face, the beast thrashes frantically for several moments, snarling as they try to buck Bál off. Then, they stop, a look of clarity flashing across their face moments before it is driven into the ground by a harsh twist of their horns by the Typhlosion.
As the winds die down, Iron Bear hops forward, its heavy weight allowing her to not be blown away by the residue winds and pets Suicune’s flank, in an almost reassuring gesture. Meanwhile, the bears cheer and raise their axes in victory.
 & : VICTORY FOR THE BEARS!! BEAR IT, BEAR IT, OI OI OI!
: Cecil, did it work?
: Ye-
: Cecil?!
The Lucario has promptly passed out from all the stress on his Aura-reading capabilities.
: Of course it worked! We told you, Iron Bear is the only one who can turn you into a honorary bear! And nobody beats a true bear force!
: She can share her power to bear it, and Iron Bear bears best, for she is the untouchable bear!
: All the times we forget to take her with us, and all the times she is with us.
: Bearbearer.
: That’s good, the-
Nicholas also falls to his knees, shivering violently and hugging himself tight.
: Nicholas!
The captain and multiple Aetherians approach their prince swiftly, the first propping him up against his chest while some of the latter also check up on the Lucario.
: I’m so c-cold - but before that!
: What were you thinking?! You could have gotten us all killed!
: How was I suppos’d to know “tha’” - (points to Bál and Suicune) - was a thing?!?
: It isn’t just about that! No matter how much I hate to admit it, Bál was right, look at me-
: -and before you start - at this point, it doesn’t matter how it happened or whose fault it is, namely mine - I can’t go to Aether like this - I am too ill for the journey!
: And the longer I stay here, the iller I get. The only reason you get to ignore orders from any of the royal family and get a free pass due to being a part of our family is if your common sense tells you we are being idiots!
: Where is the common sense in taking me to Aether now, or using force to bring Bál to Aether when he was already going as soon as he guaranteed I was well on my way to recover?!
: He was thinking of me - you were thinking of yourself, of what you think is best and not what actually is! You’ve been following this road ever since we came here, you and Father both, if we are being honest!
: I’m sorry, th’ situation wit’ Alaric, it’s been gettin’ to me-
: Not here, Gawain. HERE, as in Avalon.
: Others say you have improved, but you haven’t, you were just as broken as the rest of us when we came here, but you never fixed yourself!
: Now listen-
: No. You listen. Nobody blames you for it, but those who see it - we are all too afraid to lose you to speak out about it as we watch you drink and destroy yourself pretending you are fine!
Gawain looks around, seeing some of the Aetherians give him looks or turn from his gaze, confirming the prince’s word.
: But bless this fever, I am DONE with it, done with the silence. Don’t you think I miss them too - my sister, my mother? My home where I had none before?
: But there is a life here too, for me, Father, you, everyone. That’s what they wanted: my mother’s last wish was for me to live, to lead, and I’m leaving nobody behind if I can help it.
: And if you hate me for it, that’s fine, but I want to live, and I want you to live too!
: …
: Your soul - it truly is pure, and so strong-
: Get away, ya-
: It’s fiiiiiiinnnne. : 
The bears have followed Suicune and now are leaning on them- no, they’re drapping themselves over Suicune, each with a leggy up; Suicune is just barely tolerating this.
: Purple hair is fine now, scaley-boi, even though your soul is probably really gross looking to them-
: Well it’s not perfect, but-
: No reason to suck up to him just cause you beary nearly sent him into the void. He attacked an honorary bear, he had it coming-
: Yeh, and now he has felt the curse of you, he’s definitely gonna feel that one later~
: I still mean to apologize, my actions were inexcusable - and almost irreversible-
Suicune casts a look at Bál who is kneeling next to Cecil together with Iron Bear.
: And I also mean to thank you all for helping to stop me from losing what is most important to me-
: Oh, a guessing game? Bearper, it’s our time!
: Is it birds that make good decisions but only when it really couldn’t matter less nor benefit anyone?
: How about swords that you put on your feet like boots and let you stab-tap as you walk?
: Sixteen edgy protagonist teens that lost, at the very least, one of their parents in a tragic boating accident?
 : Self-setting fire and other wonderful products only available from BearWare®™?
: Your brother, Big-tooth McBad-decisions-that-never-end?
: Iron Bear?
:
 & : Leaggy!
: Well, no, Læghelmine’s soul is rather pure, but what’s most important to me is-
: I would hope it is staying pure! Why are you off the island - Bál, what’s going on!?
A worried-looking Læghelmine floats down from the sky, landing in a flurry of feathers next to Bál.
: Things didn’t go accordin’ to plan-
: With them, it never does-
: We find fault with that, Leaggy!
: It was scaley boi!
: Scaley boi attacked Bál and purple hair went haywire!
: Wow, thanks for tha’.
: Haywire?! Do you mean-?!
: Not quite yet, but it wasn’t good.
: Suicune, you need to return to the island immediately - such things can’t be risked.
: Yes, I underestimated the pull, or rather overestimated my ability to withstand it when - I will return to the island.
: Nicholas, I wish your father a swift recovery, and you as well the best of blessings. We will meet again.
: A feelin’ of yours again?
: A good one, this time.
: You should probably head back now - just to be sure.
:
: You are right, please, do be careful-
Suicune leans his forehead against Bál’s once more, and the fire weasel pats the legendary’s neck familiarly.
: Yeye, aren’t I always?
As Suicune pulls away, they give Bál a look that Nicholas recognizes, and the Umbreon nods slightly.
: What’s most important… I think I understand now. My family matters most to me too-
: (smiling at the prince)
: Wait - family?! Are ya tryin’ to say tha’-?
: How does tha’ even work - an’ wha’s up wit’ tha’! (He points to Bál.) Weren’t ya disrespectin’ “gods,” like in Sazanami when-
: Just ‘cause I was rais’d by one doesn’t mean I have to believe in their divinity. It also doesn’t mean I have to reject ‘em ‘cause I don’t share such beliefs.
: Right, still sounds like double standards t’ me.
: I’ll withhold from encouragin’ ‘nother argument,
: You can start explaining instead.
: We will talk later, or rath’r I have three others fo’ you to talk to-
: Fine, fine, but please Suicune, return to your island first, especially with what just happened, it would be best to make sure you are still “pure.”
:
 : You want to return to the island? YES. NO.
: Tha’s a good plan, you can take my boat.
: Oh, I’ve been blessed!
: Wait a minute - ya knew ‘bout all of this all along!
: Yes, yes, we’ll have more than enough time to hear your displeasure later. Since I am assuming the three you mean are the prince, Cecil, and the walking furnace that will be carrying them, Bál?
: Based on their frostbitten breath, you will likely not blessing me with the time for me to speak to you so soon after the last time, and the fact you don’t expect me to take those other three.
: No I don’t. You guess’d right. I’ll be headin’ to Aether.
: Off to play doctor, or rather counselor. (waving a wing) Very well, I’ll expect you to include me in any developments should they occur.
: And now please, you three, with me. And Suicune, I beg you, I’m sounding like a Chatot, return to your island.
: Indeed. Bears, Bál, Læghelmine, Nicholas, and others. May you find purity of soul.
And with a great leap, the legendary beast is off, sending ripples over the water and disappearing into the mist.
: Suicune be blessed! They are gone!
: ‘Nother reason patronage is strange: who did you just bless for tha’? Ridiculous.
: Please go play with your snake king; in this regard, you are just like them.
: Captain, if you can carry those two?
The bears give the captain little choice as they lift Nicholas on his back and push Cecil in his arms.
: Don’t drop him, or the honorary bears will drop you.
: Okay?
: Before I leave, Bál, I want’d to say - I may have - act’d out. A bit.
: (snorting) Just see th’ kid to safety, I’ll see to tha’ king of yours.
: Right, thanks… an’ maybe don’t tell ‘im all th’ details o’ wha’ happen’d here.
: He’s, well… you’ll see for yourself.
: Alright everyone, I will see ya in Aether once th’ prince is well ‘nuff t’ travel. For now, follow Bál.
: (to himself) Tha’s so weird t’ say.
: Why the sudden trust, I am glad, but-?
: I’m still processin’ things - your speech an’ - (whispering and hoping Bál doesn’t hear) - his fath’r is Suicune? Wha’ can I do wit’ tha’? I’m already on thin ice wit’ both o’ ‘em!
Despite Gawain’s whispering, Bál seems to smirk: but then his face is as stoic as usual a fraction of a second later.
: Don’t speak to me of ice, please!
: Glowmouse! What is this talk?! After all your big bear words just now!
: You were almost a Glowbear, but you got to remember-
 & : You have to bear it!
: I don’t think I could ever forget…
 & : You have to bear it!
: I- y-yeah, I heard you the first tim-
 & : Bear it!
: Wha’ are you two doing?
: Getting the final word!
: The bears are the most fun, so the fun must end on the highest of notes, and that note is bears.
: What?
: Bear it! :
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Story: Meanwhile... Purity of Heart	Return to Mission Directory	
Category:Meanwhiles
Category:Arc 2
Category:Veethfölnir
Category:Bears