Haxxico looked at his adoptive brother, taking a deep breath. Right when he opened his muzzle to speak, he was saved when the music began to play seemingly from nowhere. "Teacher! We need you!" a voice yelled as excitement began to fill the air, a crowd of Lucario leaving the huts and going to the Main Field, laughing and seeming to be happy. Jaxisco looked down when he felt a tug on his tail, a Riolu looking up at him, looking nervous. "Teacher, please come with me; we need your help," the young girl said, an embarrassed blush on her face.

"What is it you need me for?" Jaxisco signed to her as he let her lead him to the area they practiced in, a lot of other children running around in what looked like complete disarray. "I can't get them to calm down! They won't listen to me!"Alena whined, getting a look of pity from Jaxisco. Alena, unlike most other Riolu her age, she was half as tall as them, but, in Jaxisco's silent opinion, had four times the responsibility and intelligence. Nodding. Jaxisco did the only thing he could to make a sound; he whistled, nearly instantly calming the chaos. With Alena translating, Jaxisco told them to get in line. "Now, tell me their parts," Jaxisco signed to Alena, the half Riolu doing just that.

"Alena, you will take the center of the performance," Jaxisco signed after learning, moving another cub somewhere else. "B-b-but Jaxisco! I can't do that!" Alena said, looking like she was about to have a panic attack. Jaxisco just took a seat on the ground and placed a paw on her shoulder, telling her she could. "Out of all of my students, you by far deserve the leading role; you always took a back spot. I know that you are scared of performing in front of the rest of the tribe, but I know you will do fine!" Jaxisco comforted, smiling at her kindly. Alena looked up at him and nodded, looking more reassured, but still nervous. "Now, call Paxio over for me," Jaxisco told her, making her do a double take before doing just as her teacher wanted, albeit with a blush on her face.

"Yeah?" a Riolu asked when he got over to them, looking at them both quizzically. Jaxisco made a few signs before Alena broke out in a blush deeper than a Tomato berry, knowing what it was her teacher was saying. Jaxisco looked at her, prompting her kindly. While Alena stuttered in repeating what he wanted her to say, he couldn't help but have a ghost of a smile on his face. Ever since Alena came under his paws, he knew that she like Paxio, if her constant glances were anything to go by. "Sweet! I look forward to it!" Paxio said, beaming happily before running off to go change his necklaces with someone else. "I want you to have fun this year; you deserve it," Jaxisco told Alena when she all but squeaked 'why?'. "Now you need to go get ready; I will see you at the performance," Jaxisco told her, moving to get up. "Wait- you won't be with us this year?" Alena asked, sounding a little panicked. "No; I have to get ready to dance myself. Don't worry; I will be there if you need help," Jaxisco reassured her calmly.

Jaxisco, after going to his hut to prepare, went back to the main field to look for his family, seeing them quickly. 'Perfect!' Jaxisco thought, going to them, soon stopping when he saw a certain Lucario, his jaw almost hit the floor instantly. Sarasha was standing by Haxxico, her body seeming to sparkle as she talked with him. Jaxisco had to fight down a blush as he approached her, the ruby in her eyes seeming to shine like there gem-sake as she turned to him, smiling brilliantly. Jaxisco was glad he couldn't speak or else he probably would be stuttering. Her markings seemed to make her body move like the ocean, smooth and graceful. "You look good," Sarasha complimented, making Jaxisco blush as he smiled, giving her silent thanks.

Before Jaxisco could sign anything, he was stopped by a horn sounding, instinctively turning his head to see his chief in the middle of the field. "I look forward to seeing you later," Sarasha said, stunning Jaxisco by kissing him on the cheek, a faint blush on her face as she ran away to join her own family. "Wow, brother; you sure do have a way with the ladies," Haxxico said, earning him a punch from Jaxisco, him mouthing "SHUT UP!" as a result, Haxxico laughing while his mother only shook her head. "Break it up you two. Let's go take our seats at our table," Zorrie told them, leaving Jaxisco blushing and Haxxico laughing.

Like previous years, Zorrie sat between Jaxisco and Haxxico, waiting for the chief to arrive. "The food smells great; I can't wait to eat!" Haxxico said, drooling a little at the food laid out on the table, his paws holding tight to his legs to resist the temptation of eating early. "Oh, hush. The Chief will be here soon," Zorrie told him. True to her word, Lorrix arrived, his body shimmering with festive gold. Like a king, he took his seat at the head of the table, a plate soon assembled for him.

Jaxisco ignored the goings on and looked towards where the cubs were, smiling at the performance that they had all planned. 'I hope they like a love song this year,' Jaxisco thought. A loud cheer snapped him back to reality, making Jaxisco clap along with them; finally, it was time to eat! Plates were passed down the table, allowing Jaxisco to fill his plate with various dishes, from a mountain of Mashed Potatoes drowned in a sea of gravy, a slice of Emboar meat, a chunk of Oran berry bread and a helping of Sitrus berries. With earnest, Jaxisco began to eat, eyes widening with the flavor of the Emboar meat; Zorrie and her helpers really outdid themselves this year!

Conversation ensued when the food was served amongst the adults, Jaxisco getting caught amongst all the conversation, only able to catch a few words from each before another one swept it away. He didn't pay it much mind, smiling politely before one snip caught his ear. "-dragon raid earlier; we lost our Pecha berry orchid to the fire," one of the hunters was saying. Jaxisco instantly turned to him to listen but was unable to move when the music started, making him groan.

"Now, let the dancing commence! To start this year's Summer Solstice, the pups shall perform first in accordance to a bountiful harvest," Lorrix said as the pups filed in the area between the chief and the table, Jaxisco keeping an eye on his students. Porix led Alena to where they were in the center of attention, smiling to Alena almost in a reassuring way as the rest got into there positions.

Slower music began to play as Alena looked deep into Porix's eyes, her breathing quick with nervousness.

I can show you the world,

Shining shimmering splendid

Tell me, princess, now when did

You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes

Take you wonder by wonder

Over sideways and under

On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world

A new fantastic point of view

No one to tell us no

Or where to go

Or say we're only dreaming 

Paxio sang, dancing slowly with Alena, the shorter female dancing in time and with grace as she stared into his eyes, seeming to get used to it. To Jaxisco's surprise, a small portion of the ground began to lift upwards. Looking for his brother, he saw his eyes were a flashing green as he used aura to pull off what was happening. Jaxisco was pleased when Alena began to sing, like the sudden change didn't bother her at all.

A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you  

Alena smiled as she twirled with Paxio, the taller pup laughing a little, looking like he was having fun. Alena returned the laugh, a happy look in her eyes.

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
A whole new world

Alena sang, her voice ringing high and clear in the field, the audience stunned silent at her performance; it was clear that no one expected her to have such a good voice. She looked frightened when the rectangular platform seemed to dip, Paxio holding her paws.

 (Don't you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see
(Hold your breath it gets better)
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be

Alena seemed to glow with new found confidence, slowly taking the lead in vocals, not caring that the audience was teary-eyed, more so on her parent's side.

A whole new world
(Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue
(Every moment, red-letter)I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you

Paxio drew Alena in closer, there movements becoming slower as they held each other's paws, Paxio holding Alena's cheek lightly, the girl placing a paw on his

A whole new world
(A whole new world)
That's where we'll be
(That's where we'll be)A thrilling chase

A wondrous place

For you and me

At the end of the song, Jaxisco was just as stunned, if not a little more, when Alena and Paxio leaned in and kissed. Jaxisco only smiled, glad that the two finally, finally admitted their feelings for each other; what shocked him was that it was in front of the entire village. "Now, with the opening dance out of the Summer Solstice complete, may the festival begin," Lorixx said, getting a cheer from the crowd as the music began to play.

"Come on Jaxisco; let's go dance!" Sarasha said, getting Jaxisco to get to his feet and follow her, his paw held firmly in hers. With Sarasha giggling, she placed his paws on his shoulders, Jaxisco placing a paw on her side and one on her hip, a nervous smile on his face, one that Sarasha picked up on. "Hey, relax; isn't that one of the first lessons you taught the pups?" Sarasha smiled, getting Jaxisco to roll his eyes playfully before heading her advice, steadying his heartbeat to help him get his emotions under control.

The song that played was slow and sweet, warming up to a faster beat as Jaxisco got used to dancing with Sarasha, her body close to his, there lips mere inches from embracing the other. "So, are you having fun?" Sarasha asked, getting a nod from Jaxisco. The conversation was silent, though it was on both of there parts.

Jaxisco, because he could not speak, and Sarasha because of her own nervousness. When the dance was at a respectable pace, Jaxisco and Sarasha stood a little bit apart, Jaxisco daring to twirl Sarasha. Unfortunately, he did not see the rock by her foot, making both of them fall, Jaxisco on top of Sarasha, her letting out a small 'yelp!'of surprise. When Jaxisco fell all the way, his lips actually collided with hers in a very random, very accidental kiss. The rest of the crowd stopped when they fell, making both of the Lucario blush intensely.

Thankfully, they were saved by a roar shattering the air, one that Jaxisco almost wished didn't happen. "Hunters; gather and group! You three, escort everyone to there homes! GO GO GO!!!" Haxxico said, his bow already strung and ready to go. Sarasha was whisked away, Jaxisco laying on the ground as he saw something fly above him, an orange streak in the sky.

'Dragons... Dragons are attacking...' Jaxisco thought before he was hauled up to his feet. "Jaxisco, I need you to go with mother; guard her for me," Haxxico told him, getting a growl from Jaxisco before he yanked his arm away from his brother. "NO! You and I both know I won't do that. If those bastards are with them then they WILL die by my paws," Jaxisco signed back, venom filling each one of his signs. "I need you to go! You can't be with us!" Haxxico yelled at him, pushing him away with an almost guilty look. "Zeor! Kylix! Take him home and make sure he won't leave," Haxxico said, making Jaxisco look at him with betrayal as he was forced away.

"Your brother only means to protect you and his family. He needs you to be the final guard if the attack goes horribly," Kylix told him as Jaxisco finally surrendered, running with them, though he had tears in his eyes. Jaxisco didn't even bother to sign; they didn't know his language anyway. Before they could speak further, Jaxisco bolted ahead and ran into his house, bolting the door shut with his aura before he collapsed on the ground, sobbing silently. Zorrie, who was in her room, walked over to him, a look of concern in her eyes. "Are you okay?" Zorrie asked, kneeling beside her adopted son, wrapping an arm around him.

Jaxisco only shook his head, wrapping her in an embrace, letting his aura do all the speaking for him. "I... see...," Zorrie said, holding him close like a mother to her pup. "Your brother has been training for this; he will do well, that I promise," Zorrie told him, comforting him as a roar shook the air, Jaxisco holding tighter to her, quivering in fear, the memories of his past resurfacing with a vengeance. Zorrie could feel his fear spiking, doing all she could to keep him calm, resulting in a lullaby she had made just for him and Haxxico.

Shipwreck in a sea of faces
There's a dreamy world up there
Dear friends in higher places
Carry me away from here

Travel light, let the sun eclipse you
'Cause your flight is about to leave
And there's more to this brave adventure
Than you'd ever believe

Birds-eye view, awake the stars 'cause they're all around you
Wide eyes will always brighten the blue
Chase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery
'Cause after all those wings will take you, up so high
So bid the forest floor goodbye as you race the wind
And take to the sky

Zorrie could feel Jaxisco starting to relax as the sweet tune started to affect him, his racing heart slowly starting to calm down.

On the heels of war and wonder
There's a stormy world up there
You can't whisper above the thunder
But you can fly anywhere

Purple burst of paper birds
This picture paints a thousand words
So take a breath of myth and mystery
And don't look back

Jaxisco couldn't help but remember the day that Zorrie told him that she would be his new mother, all the tears he had shed, the hug he had given her, all of it. That was the day he was shown how to use aura infighting, not just for signals. Jaxisco remembered being amazed and strove to be the best fighter the village had.

Birds-eye view, awake the stars 'cause they're all around you
Wide eyes will always brighten the blue
Chase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery
'Cause after all those wings will take you, up so high
So bid the forest floor goodbye as you race the wind
And take to the sky

There's a realm above the trees
Where the lost are finally found
Touch your feathers to the breeze
And leave the ground

Birds-eye view, awake the stars 'cause they're all around you
Wide eyes will always brighten the blue
Chase your dreams, and remember me, sweet bravery
'Cause after all those wings will take you, up so high
So bid the forest floor goodbye as you race the wind
And take to the sky

Jaxisco felt relaxed when Zorrie finished, rubbing his head gently as it rested in her lap, a kind smile on her face. Jaxisco gave her silent thanks, not wincing in fear at all when a dragon roared again, but a look of determination filling his eyes. "Let's stay here and wait; if a dragon tries to attack us, we will show them just what Team Amazing can do," Zorrie told Jaxisco, getting a nod from him as they sat/laid there in patience, in anticipation of an attack.

That is all for this chapter. I think it got what it needed across, and I have a challenge for everyone. Comment below where the two songs are from!

Till next time,

Peace out mi Pokemans!