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Lucario fanfic – Quest for Power (Team Ruki Origins)
【 Chapter 8: Siblings 】
“Brother, what happens when we die?” Ruka asked out of curiosity a long time ago, when he and Ruki were just two little Riolu sitting down together one night to look at the stars.
“Dunno,” Ruki told him, “Mother said we’ll become one with the stars and watch over our loved ones from above.”
“Really?” Ruka asked with a frown, “That’s nice, but I’ll be sad. Because that means I’ll be so far away and I can’t hug you.”
“Sucks, but guess some things can’t be helped,” Ruki said, sighing and lying down.
Ruka turned to look at Ruki with his huge innocent eyes, hugging his arm tightly.
“If I die first, I’ll be sure to watch over you, though,” Ruka said.
“What? NO!!” Ruki retorted in annoyance. “You’re the younger brother, so it’ll suck if you die first. I’ll be a failure of an elder brother if I can’t protect you!”
Ruka giggled at his reaction and hugged him tighter.
“Brother, you’re so nice! Love you!”
Ruki’s eyes cracked open as he sucked in a deep breath. The frozen air of Mount Attuna hurt his lungs, but he struggled to breathe it in for survival. He choked and coughed, rolling over onto his stomach on the snow and spitting out all the water in his throat. His wet fur clung to his skin, weighing him down.
After falling down the waterfall, he seemed to have washed ashore on the shallower side of the river. Once he calmed down, he looked around, wondering if Filio had also washed up nearby. He found the Absol lying unconscious a little away from him. Frowning, Ruki stood up and hurried there, kneeling down next to Filio to see if he was still alive.
Filio laid unmoving for awhile, but then he coughed, starting to regain consciousness. When he opened his eyes and saw Ruki, he glared at him, trying to get back up. Annoyed at his stubbornness, Ruki threatened him.
“If you try to fight me again, I’ll break your horn and legs and make sure that you can’t fight permanently,” he warned coldly.
Filio looked like he wanted to say something back, but was too exhausted. He laid back down onto the ground in surrender, looking away in frustration. Ruki sat down in a more comfortable position next to him, folding his legs neatly.
“Hey, I understand your feelings,” he told Filio, “I have a little brother, too. It must’ve sucked to not be able to protect your younger sibling.”
“……” Filio looked at Ruki, his expression softening at the mention of Ruki’s family. He turned away again, hiding his face and playing with the gold bangle around his left wrist. After staying quiet for awhile, he spoke hesitantly.
“This bangle’s all I have left of my sister. Filia… She never turned down anyone in need and always worked too hard. She got sick one day, so I went to gather her favourite pink flowers to make her feel better. I… never imagined that it would be the last time I see her…”
Filio held back a sob in frustration.
“No one tried to save her when they saw the poachers. I went to rescue her the moment I found out, but it was too late. I couldn’t even be there for her when she was dying. They said that they skinned her alive. It must’ve hurt and she must’ve been so scared…”
Ruki couldn’t see Filio’s face, but he could tell that he was crying from his broken voice and shaking shoulders. He placed a hand on Filio’s back to comfort him a little.
“Even if she’s gone, she’s here, watching over you,” Ruki said.
“You’re just saying it. I’m not a kid. Once you’re dead, you’re gone!” Filio snapped back, rubbing the tears from his eyes angrily.
“We have Ghost-type Pokémon, don’t we? I’ve really met your sister,” Ruki said, “In fact, she’s watching us from behind that tree right now. It’s faint, but I can feel her Aura there if I concentrate.”
“W-What?! Really?” Filio raised his head to look at the tree, the life coming back into his eyes. He couldn’t see anything there himself, but he wanted to believe Ruki’s words.
“Yeah,” Ruki said, “Wanna talk to her?”
“I… can?” Filio asked, eyes tearing up again.
“Of course. Should be easy since you’re close to each other.”
Ruki beckoned towards the white misty form in the distance to come closer, before instructing Filio.
“Calm your mind and think about your sister. You should be able to feel her Aura clearer. Maybe even see her.”
Filio did as he was told, closing his eyes and concentrating. He felt a warm gentle nudge against his forehead. Opening his eyes again, he saw Filia there, snuggling up to him and pressing her forehead to his.
“Filia…” Filio teared up, not believing his eyes. He rubbed his face against Filia’s lovingly, crying into the fur on her neck.
“Shh… Filio, I’m here. It’s okay,” Filia said, starting to tear up as well, happy to be reunited with her brother. “My voice can finally reach you!”
“Filia! I’m so sorry!!” Filio cried, letting go of all his pent up emotions, “You were all alone in the darkness and I wasn’t there for you. I’m a horrible brother!”
Filia leaned in to comfort him, “But you came to save me although those poachers were scary. And you’re here now. I never blamed you, Filio. You’ll always be my beloved elder brother.”
Ruki watched them quietly for awhile, somewhat relieved that it went well. But then he noticed Filia starting to fade.
“Filia…?” Filio looked worried.
“…I’m afraid my time here is up,” Filia said sadly, “I’m happy that I can talk to you one last time, Filio. Sorry that I have to go.”
“No…! Filia!”
“I have two last requests,” Filia said calmly.
“Tell me anything,” Filio urged. Filia looked at Ruki.
“Firstly, this Lucario’s heading to Kalos to look for a Lucarionite. Can you help him find it? As thanks for letting us meet? I promised it to him.”
Filio glanced at Ruki. He was thankful himself to be able to meet Filia like this, so he accepted. “Of course. Leave that to me.”
“Thank you.” Filia smiled gratefully, before continuing. “And my last wish, please let go of me. Forget about my death and look forward.”
“Huh…?” Filio looked at her in disbelief. “Filia, that’s a joke, right? You’re asking for the impossible.”
“I don’t want to keep haunting you after I leave, Filio. I want you to be happy. Please, leave Cuore and Mount Attuna. Start a new life somewhere. I’m sure you’ll find someone who’ll love you and whom you can love back.”
Not wanting to argue with her in her last moments, Filio looked down to the ground begrudgingly. “Fine… I will…”
Filia looked satisfied, giving Filio a serene smile. She then shone with a bright white light.
“I’m glad. Thanks for everything, Filio. I can leave in peace now,” she said, before turning to Ruki, “Thanks, Lucario. I wish you luck on your journey. I hope that you’ll find happiness, too. Goodbye.”
“Filia…!” Filio didn’t want to part with her. The fact that this would be final crushed him. He couldn’t hold back his tears. Filia leaned in to rub and snuggle against him gently.
“Don’t worry, Filio. You’ll be alright… You’ll be alright.”
“……” Filio closed his eyes and leaned against her quietly, sending her off.
With that, Filia dissipated into little orbs of light. Ruki and Filio watched as they floated up and disappeared into the heavens.
“Filia… She’s gone now…” Filio said sadly.
“Yeah. She’s a good sister,” Ruki said, before looking at Filio, “You lied about agreeing to her second request, though. It was obvious from your Aura.”
“Hehehe, of course.” Filio chuckled darkly, staring at the ground with a quiet anger in his voice. “Forget her death? This world’s a cruel place. From the moment it left Filia to die, it’s my enemy. I have no intention to share my happiness or get along with anyone. Love and be loved by all these losers? What a joke! If Filia wants me to be happy, I’ll be happy, alright, but I’ll do it while trampling over everyone else!”
“……” Ruki studied Filio quietly. The Absol’s contaminated red-black Aura might have calmed down, but it hadn’t changed. The Lucario made a small Aura ball in his palm, watching his own dirty blue-black flames dance. Perhaps Filio’s heart was beyond saving, much like himself. Both of them hated the world for all the evil and injustice in it. He felt somewhat sorry for the Absol, but the corrupted part of his mind was twistedly thrilled about finding an equally broken and disgusting being–an excuse to say that he wasn’t alone in hell.
“I could care less about what you’ll do with your life. It’s your life, after all,” Ruki told Filio, letting the Aura ball in his hand disappear, “But I hope our deal about the Lucarionite still stands.”
“Of course!” Filio said, “It’s Filia’s wish, and you let me say my goodbyes and see her off. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”
The Absol forced himself to sit up, enduring his bloody wounds and smirking darkly at Ruki, “You’re the only exception for me in this horrible world since you’ve been so nice. I’ll be your dog or whatever you want me to be. Maybe I’ll be nice to your friends and family, too. You fine with that, Lucario?”
Filio looked like he meant it. There was no loss for Ruki, so he shrugged and accepted it.
“Hmph, well enough. My name’s Ruki. You’re a good fighter, so I expect you to be useful on my journey. Just don’t cause any trouble while you’re with me.”
“Heh, as you wish, Ruki.” Filio smirked.
By the time Ruki finished gathering herbs and berries to heal Filio’s wounds, it had gotten dark. He had dragged the Absol away from the river to dry on the grass under the trees, but the latter’s wounds were bad enough to make him unable to move. Filio had been quiet, most likely thinking about Filia as he played with his bangle.
Ruki thought that he’d give him some space. He himself wondered about Alina. She should be okay by herself since she knew how to fight, but would they be able to find each other again in this gargantuan mountain and forests?
As he continued treating Filio’s wounds, he heard a loud squawk from above him. He looked up with Filio. A large Honchkrow glided across the night sky with several of its Murkrow underlings, its gigantic wingspan blocking out the full moon. To their surprise, they also saw Alina, holding onto one of the Honchkrow’s legs while scanning the ground.
“Ruki!” She exclaimed when she spotted him.
Ruki raised an arm and waved at her, signalling that he saw her.
“There he is. Down, Honchkrow!” Alina ordered boldly.
The Honchkrow squawked in annoyance, but complied anyway, flying down for a soft landing in the snow near Ruki and Filio. Alina landed gracefully, running to Ruki immediately.
“Ruki!” She called out, before getting ready to fight again when she saw Filio. “And you!”
Ruki waved his paws to calm Alina down. “Fight’s over. He’s with us now. You alright, Alina?”
“Oh,” Alina said, calming down a little, “Yeah. Mr. Honchkrow here was nice enough to help me look for you. You got me so worried!”
“You KICKED me! And then made me fly through this freezing weather!” Honchkrow shouted furiously. “I won’t forget this, Tsareena.”
Alina only chuckled at the bird boss. “I wouldn’t have if you were more polite when I asked for help. That’s how a gentleman should treat a damsel in distress, right? Need another Trop Kick as a reminder?”
“Ugh…” Honchkrow looked like he wanted to say something, but then he noticed the wounded Filio lying nearby. He smirked happily.
“Ha… Hahaha! So the Fallen Angel’s down, huh?” Honchkrow laughed, before approaching the Absol threateningly. “We couldn’t live peacefully here because of you! Now we’ll get rid of you once and for–CAAAAAAWWWW!!!”
He couldn’t finish his sentence before Alina sent him flying with her Trop Kick. Being a relatively lightweight bird, Honchkrow was thrown far away, disappearing into the night sky. His Murkrow underlings squawked worriedly, leaving to look for their boss.
“Hmph!” One hand on her hip, Alina flicked at her leaves, unimpressed.
“Tough girl,” Filio commented.
“You certainly made lots of enemies around here, huh?” Ruki said to Filio.
Upon closer inspection, Alina noticed that Ruki was in the middle of treating Filio’s wounds, so she asked about what happened. She seemed relieved once Ruki explained everything to her.
“Hope you won’t mind the extra company, sis,” Filio said.
“It’s Alina,” the Tsareena introduced herself, “A pleasure if you’d help us out, Mr. Filio.”
“Oh, stop that. Just Filio’s fine.”
Alina walked over and knelt down next to Ruki to help him tend to Filio’s wounds.
“Sorry about your sister. We’re a team now, so call us if you need someone to talk to.”
“……” Filio looked away, “Thanks. I’ll consider it.”
The trio rested for a few days at the Cuore Temple Ruins to let Filio’s wounds heal. Ruki and Alina would ward off anyone who came to attack the Absol, convincing them that he wouldn’t cause further trouble. If their uninvited guest wouldn’t listen, they’d fight them and send them away.
“Feeling better?” Alina asked, bringing in new herbs and berries. She sat down next to Filio to tend to his wounds.
“Yeah. Thanks,” the Absol said, wincing a little when he felt the herbs on his cuts.
“We can’t get to Mega Island if you die anyway, so no need to thank us,” Ruki said, settling down beside him in the decrepit building.
“Heh, aren’t you pretty cold,” Filio said. He shifted into a more comfortable position before continuing.
“Say Ruki, you said you have a little brother? What’s he like? Are you close?”
“……” Ruki thought of Ruka for awhile. Ruka, the little puppy with his cheerful smile and sunny personality.
“Yeah, sort of,” he answered Filio, “His name’s Ruka. He’s quite a clumsy Riolu who cries easily, so I usually stuck with him all day and all night.”
“And? Where’s he now?”
“Left him at home. He cries too much.”
“Oh, I see, I see–HEY!!”
Filio suddenly sat up straight, his muscles tensing. “What do you mean by that?!”
“Exactly that. I’m going all the way out here to get stronger. It’s a long and dangerous journey, but he’s not a good fighter at all. He wouldn’t last.”
“Ugh… I understand that. But what if something happens to him when you’re not looking? Like what happened to Filia?!”
“……”
Ruki looked at his knees, gripping the fur on his thighs. He seemed to waver for a moment, but then he shook his head.
“Ugh, I need to focus on becoming stronger. I have no time to think of Ruka right now.”
“But he’s your brother!!”
Apparently, Filio seemed to be quite fussy when it came to siblings. Ruki decided to ignore him, shutting his ears with his paws.
“I’ll go outside and train,” the Lucario said, standing up and leaving.
“Ruki!!”
Ruki left the room. He looked at the black scarf tied to his arm and sighed. A little part of him wondered how Ruka was doing. But no, he needed to focus, so he’d better forget any thoughts of home. Ruka would probably be safe with his parents and his pack, anyway. Steeling his heart, he walked out into the snow.
The three spent a few days like that. The snowy Mount Attuna was freezing for Alina. The temple ruins had many holes and no insulation whatsoever. Ruki had helped her gather some large leaves to make a thick blanket, but she still wished that they could leave quickly.
“Should I make a small fire?” Ruki knelt down beside her and asked.
“No, it’s fine,” Alina refused quickly. “The temple might catch fire and burn.”
“Hm? It’s all snow and rocks here, so nothing’s going to burn.”
“No, thanks, Ruki! It’s alright…”
“……”
Alina seemed tense and nervous. Ruki guessed that what happened to Roza must’ve stuck to her. He sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms.
“Okay, fine, no fire then. I’ll just hold you like this till you’re warm. Hope you don’t mind.”
“……” Alina blushed lightly, closing her eyes and leaning into Ruki’s chest. “Thanks, Ruki… You’re the best knight.”
“Hey, you guys a couple or something?” Filio teased. Alina and Ruki looked there to see the Absol limping towards them. He sat down beside Alina on the other side, huddling close to her.
“Hope I’m not disturbing. My fur’s also pretty warm, so I’ll be here for you since you’ve healed me up and all, sis.”
“Oh, thanks, Filio!” Alina giggled, happy at the kindness.
“Since you’re so nice, you should come to Roza, too! You can be… let’s see… my royal white horse!”
“Hey! Can’t I at least be a knight, too? Like Ruki?”
“Maybe after you’ve proved your worth.”
“Aww, fine! What’s Roza, anyway?”
Alina began explaining things to Filio, happy to talk about her dreams. Ruki smiled a little, glad that she cheered up. Otherwise, he felt quite relaxed himself. He and Alina had been traveling non-stop everyday since he started this journey, so maybe this was a much needed rest. Still, he wanted to make a little progress every day, so he pulled away from Alina.
“Keep her warm, Filio. I’ll go and train a bit. Will be back for dinner.”
“Huh, sure,” the Absol replied.
“You’re training a lot lately, Ruki,” Alina said.
“Yeah, I’m guessing we’ll meet lots of strong enemies on Mega Island, so I’m trying to learn a new move. I’ll be back.”
Ruki left. Alina and Filio shrugged at each other, wondering what new move Ruki would come up with.
Once Filio’s wounds healed, they got ready to leave for Kalos. Filio left a bunch of pink flowers over a mound marked by the broken statue of an ancient goddess.
“Filia’s grave?” Ruki guessed, watching from the shades behind the Absol with Alina.
“Yeah. This area’s a flower field full of pink Cosmos flowers in spring, her favourite spot to sleep. Hope she’ll have a peaceful rest here,” Filio replied, finishing with his prayers and turning to face Ruki and Alina.
“Kept you waiting long enough. Let’s go, shall we?”
Trivia
- The pictures are from my video ‘Team Rhyme Origins‘ and my comic ‘A Short Respite‘.
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