Silenced Souls

Chapter 13 Training Hard, Working Hard

The next morning, Nico was one of the first to wake up. She looked over at her brother and sister cuddling each other as if they were stuffed animals or plushies. The Serperior smiled and pulled the covers over their shoulders, thinking that they deserve every last bit of rest from yesterday and the day before as well. They have been traveling for a long while and had gotten more and more un-energetic for the travels and trainings. Their sister realized they hadn’t gotten much rest since their journey. Maybe sleeping in a while was what they needed more than what they were given on this journey.

She slithered towards the kitchen to grab some breakfast from the kitchen, whether it was little or no food at all, she’d always find away to get something to eat. She noticed that Nightmare had lacked a little bit of food from last night. She needed to get some food for her stomach and fast. She suddenly turned towards an unexpected Obi and Sheldon along side with him, talking about what had happened last night with Sheldon trying to apologize for his obnoxious laughter with Obi only refusing until he had something to eat, then he’d forgive Sheldon. He wasn’t exactly having a pleasant night after one of his recent nightmares and didn’t want to be bothered. Nico smirked and sild her belly on the floor, sneaking up behind them, she had appeared to find her breakfast after all.

Nico tried to figure out which one she’d eat first, Obi or Sheldon? Obi was more masculine than Sheldon was, yet Sheldon was more sweet than Obi. She figured she’d eat Obi first since he was more of a meal than Sheldon was, she’d eat Sheldon last since he was more sweeter, and as she remembers, the meal comes first and the dessert comes last. With a smirk, she started at Obi first, one gulp and he would satisfy her for a while along with Sheldon afterwards. Once she gulped the two Lucario and safely swallowed them inside of her belly, she was finally satisfied and smiled and slithered into the den with Sheldon and Obi panicking, kicking and screaming to get out all at once. Nico didn’t care, she giggled at their little display of escaping.

“Come on you two, face it. You aren’t coming out until I say so.” Nico taunted.

Sheldon sobbed heavily. “Let us out, Nico!! Come on!!!”

“I swear, when I get out of here!” Obi began, only finishing to have Sheldon cut him off before actually finishing his sentence.

***

A while after, Caitlin and Cole soon awoke and headed towards the kitchen to find a very content Nico laying on the couch with an usually large stomach. And hearing the sudden screaming and shouting and crying. Caitlin sighed.

“Nico, come on. This is getting a little bit ridiculous. If you’re hungry you could’ve just eaten me at least.” Caitlin suggested.

Nico giggled. “Okay, but just as long as you only come out for training, Deal?”

“Deal.”

With all said and done, Nico spat out Obi and Sheldon and swallowed Caitlin.

Obi shook his head. “What the heck is wrong with that chick?!”

Sheldon hushed Obi. “Obi, don’t say anything that’ll offend her.”

Just then everyone entered the living room to know what was going on. Sheldon looked around at the fussy, cranky, and very tired crowd, angry their slumber was interrupted by ridiculous nonsense, Sheldon hushed them all one by one and was about to explain what really happened. Nico raised her leaf blade and explained what happened.

Obi sighed. “Why did you find us as “breakfast” ya coulda’ just went ahead and made something instead of being a lazy butt and eating two Lucario, for crying out loud!”

Nico glared at Obi with her eyes suddenly transforming colors. A bright crimson color engulfed her eyes entirely. Sheldon failed his arms all around, trying to tell Obi that he warned him and repeating “no” over and over again. He didn’t want Nico’s darker form to appear out of the blue.

Obi suddenly began to grow nervous and a little afraid. He looked over at Sheldon and back at Nico and smiled fearing for his life. He knew he had no other choice this time. “I-I’m sorry madam. You know how much of a temper I have...I’m sure you had a very good reason to devour me and Sheldon as such...Forgive my inappropriate behavior from earlier.”

Nico smirked as her eyes later became normal once more. “That’s better. Now was that so hard?” She cooed as she patted Obi’s back with her leaf blade.

Obi wanted to groan dissatisfaction and annoyance, but he knew if he did, he’d be either underground or beaten to death.

Caitlin and Cole both tried to hold in a laugh, not wanting to embarrass Obi.

I suppose everyone was wrong to think that Sheldon was the “scaredy cat” when it was really Obi after all. They could’ve been wrong...or not. Aw well, we’ll have to wait and see in training today.

***

Training for the rest of the day went as planned. Everyone worked as hard as they could, Sheldon worked harder than he should've though. Everytime he made a small mistake, he would push himself harder and put himself down with petty insults like Sheldon, you weak little baby, what the heck is wrong with you? Or You can't do anything right you stupid Lucario! You're just a big baby in a Lucario's body! Obi already finished with his own personal training, looked over at the timid Lucario.

Sighing, he headed over to Sheldon and put a paw on his shoulder. “Something bothering ya?”

Sheldon shook his head. “No, I’m fine.” And looked at the ground with a remorseful expression.

Obi slowly put his arm over Sheldon. “Hey, you know. You can talk to me about whatever’s bothering you if you need to. ‘Kay?”

Sheldon looked up at Obi and back at the ground. Remembering what had happened so long ago as a pup, shutting his eyes and turning away, he didn’t answer Obi. Suddenly Sheldon’s ears began twitching, hearing bottles and other items being knocked over.

He looked over at Obi. “Something’s up. We gotta check it out. Come on.”

The duo headed towards the demon-angel witch doctor’s hut to see what all the ruckus was about. Sheldon peeked through the window to only see two shadowy figures, inspecting the figures more closely, the shadows seemed to resemble those of a sableye and a rotom. Sheldon sighed in annoyance, knowing the only two certain Pokemon that he knew were a sableye and a rotom and stupid enough to steal something from Nightmare. Seeing the two knocking over the bottles and trinkets, only to find something sparkly or shiny, obviously money.

Obi looked through the window as well, raising a brow at the two Pokéthieves. “Who the heck are they?”

Sheldon’s ears drooped, touching his dreads. “You don’t wanna know. But to be blunt, they’re names are Danny and Merry. Veruka, Vincent, and the others are always having to deal with them. Last time they met me, they tried to steal my guitar and my money, so before they could touch my guitar, I basically beat the crap out of them.”

Obi looked at Sheldon, a confused expression planted upon his face. Normally Pique would be the confused one, but this time it was Obi’s turn to be just as confused and Pique would have been. “What?”

Sheldon sighed in annoyance. “Nevermind, I’ll explain more later.”

Danny and Merry both turned to the window. Panicking, Sheldon and Obi ducked down before they could be seen by the thieves’ eyes. The Pokéduo of Bonnie and Clyde shrugged and continued to rummage through Nightmare’s belongings.

Danny opened each and every drawer, looking through each and every knook and cranny for something shiny. “I’ll bet Nightmare ain’t even got a dang penny, Merry. I’ll bet even if even a Purrloin wouldn’t want her crap and a stupid cat like that wouldn’t tell the difference between a potion and a water bottle.”

Merry opened all the cupboards and looked through each one. “Don’t worry, poffin. I’m sure she makes pretty good doe, even for a witch-doctor. So she’s gotta have a couple of bucks hidden somewhere.”

Sheldon and Obi slowly rose their heads back to the scene of the crim, already at act before them. Sheldon then grabbed a nearby stick and started drawing out a diagram. Obi, noticing this and suddenly being intrigued by this, joined in, watching Sheldon draw out the plan.

“Okay, I’ll go to the back door and try to keep myself hidden and try to lock all the doors and windows so they won’t escape, except the window where we saw the crime. Obi, when I give the single: “The wolf howls at night”, that’s when you grab them and take them to Veruka and Vincent.”

Obi nodded was ready for anything and kneeled out the window, already prepared for what was about to happen. Sheldon smirked and slowly headed towards the back door, forcing down himself to keep quiet and to not make any sudden sounds for Danny or Merry to hear or see him, he snuck around the hut, trying to find all the doors and windows without getting caught.

***

Shredder dodged every small attack Lucario Jr. threw at him. The tiny midget Lucario began to grow frustrated. “Come on, Shredder! All you’re doing is dodging!”

Shredder scratched the back of his head nervously. “Are you sure you want me to throw an attack?”

“Yes.” Lucario Jr. sighed in annoyance and prepared for an attack. “Lets do this!”

Luna sighed and rolled her eyes and turned to Shade. “If my hypothesis is correct, the trajectory of my son’s battle stance will obviously counterpart with one of Shredder’s attacks. An aura sphere simply won’t do, a force palm or close combat attack would fair much better, and knowing my baby boy, he’d use an aura sphere.”

Shade looked at Luna, rather surprised more or less of her knowledge about Pokemon battles. “How do you know that?”

Luna smirked. “Back in the day, before the kids were born, Sheldon and I battled throughout Sinnoh and once Caitlin took a break from the Pokemon travels, we settled down and had a family.”

Before carrying onto the conversation, Shade looked back at the battle and to his surprise, Luna was in fact correct about the battle and her theory. Shredder threw a punch as Lucario Jr. used extreme speed, colliding with the punch, Lucario Jr. had be already caught by Shade, the mightyena cradled the midget Lucario in his arms.

Lucario Jr. winced a bit and looked up at Shade and his mother. He only seemed to focus on his mother. “I’m alright, Momma.”

Luna looked up at Shade. “I told you.”

Shade looked over at Shredder. “And you went along with this just like back on the ship when you were training Hunter?”

Shredder shrugged. “He asked me to. But let this be a less to him to only attack his opponent when they’re defenseless and wide open.”

Luna giggled. “And to use either force palm, metal claw, or close combat.” The vampire Lucario hybrid added.

Shade sighed and set the midget Lucario down. Lucario Jr. smiled as he snuggled against his mother and purred. Shredder smiled and sat down beside Shade with his arms resting behind his head.

“Well, I think the first few days or so of training will be a snap. By this rate, we’ll be able to defeat this Zalgo in no time.”

Shade turned to his lover. “As much as I want to be involve, I wouldn’t mind to get this over with.”

Luna giggled and cradled her son. “Someone’s a little anxious now aren’t we? I really hope that this isn’t going to be a disturbance to your own mission or adventure.”

Shade smiled. “It’s no trouble at all, Luna. I think we can all wait a little while longer.”

Shredder nodded. “All we can do right now is just stay together and stay strong. Then again, I’ve never battled something that’s from another universe thats filled with creatures call pasta-monsters or proxies.”

Luna nodded. “Caitlin had fallen in love with one of those pasta-monsters, it’s why she’s the way she is. She was never always like this as a child from what her parents had told me.” She held her son closer to her body and her little one gripped onto her fur. The vampire Lucario sighed. “She doesn’t like to talk about it, she loved him so much...his beauty and insanity took over his mind, he nearly did something that would’ve changed a huge negative part of her life. But they had to let each other go, she hasn’t lost her lust and longing for him though. We constantly told her to move on, but she doesn’t listen.”

Shredder and Shade looked at each other, then back at Luna. The mightyena was the first to speak up. “Well, if I were her, I’d let go of the past. It could be another day or two or even longer for her to let go of him. But if she wants her back, she’ll have to express her feelings to him.”

Shredder nodded. “I’d do the same thing.”

“That’s what Sheldon and I keep telling her, but she can’t ever let him go. Once she had fallen in love with him, she hasn’t gotten him off of her mind.”Luna leaned against a nearby tree and shut her eye as she rubbed her boy’s back.

Shade sighed. “Well, we’ll just have to wait what father time gives her.”

Luna nodded. “That’s all we can do.”

***

Pyro, Psy, Jet, Turpedo, and Kyle all forced their trainings upon the others. Caitlin normally trained with herself, or with any of the Pokemon when it was her turn to get busy with the trainings. It was Cole’s first day of training and he wasn’t able to become stronger, he’d always get beaten in the battle. Everytime he lost a battle, he’d try not to cry until he was with his older Lucario sister. She would hold him close and try to comfort him.

This was probably around the fifth or sixth time Cole lost another battle against Pyro. The Riolu gripped onto Caitlin’s pink t-shirt. Tears swelled and fell from his eyes and dripped onto his sister’s shirt, she didn’t seem to mind or care at the very least. What was important right now was to make sure her brother was going to feel better.

“Wh-why can’t I win a battle, sis?! What am I doing wrong?!” Cole managed to say as he choked on his sobs.

Caitlin took a deep breath before speaking. “I know you try your hardest, Cole. But is it that you’re trying harder than you should’ve?” She ask, raising a brow.

Cole tilted his head and wiped away a few fresh tears. His eyes, almost illuminating that of glass from the hot fresh tears being fallen from his eyes, looked up at his older sister.

“I remember when mom and dad trained me for the first time. I would always cry and ask what I did wrong.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the oak tree she was sitting against. “Mom told me that I was probably trying too hard and didn’t really come up with a battling strategy.” She opened her eyes and screwed her face to her idea/thinking face. “In fact, maybe you can go and ask Zach for a battle strategy to beat a Pokemon no matter what type of Pokemon it may be.”

She set her brother on the ground and nudged him to go back to the hut to find Zach out in the yard. “Go on, go find Zach and he’ll help you.” She said smiling.

Cole wiped away whatever tears where left and any fresh tears that were about to fall from his eyes, he smiled confidently. “Thanks sis!” He ran over towards the yard to find Zach.

Caitlin sighed happily and closed her eyes. “It’s no trouble at all bro.” She muttered to herself.

“Well, that’s a different side of you.”

She jumped at a voice from behind. She turned around to see Pique and EJ. By telling their voices apart, it had to have been from EJ.

“E-EJ...um...what are you two doing here?”

Pique giggled. “He and I were just about to ask if you needed some help with your training. I’ve already called a few of my friends, just in case.”

Caitlin chuckled. “Well, I don’t see why not at the moment. The more the allies the more chances we get at beating Zalgo.”

Pique nodded. “But...I also wanted to ask something...you can deal with being hypnotized once in a while right?” He scratched the back of his head.

Caitlin tilted her head. “What?”

“Uh, well...I’ll explain later.” The wolf-lion began to grow nervous suddenly.

Caitlin had a little trouble understanding what Pique was trying to say, she shrugged it off, hoping she’d understand it later. “Well, it’s what sisters are suppose to do instead of putting down most of their siblings like I’ve seen.” She spoke about comforting her brother, wanting to change the conversation. She looked over at Pique. “I’m sure you had a sibling that was either a comforting protecting brother or sister or just a bully.”

Pique’s optimism suddenly vanished. “The, uh, second choice would be more or less accurate.”

Caitlin’s expression immediately grew to a concern and hugged Pique. “You won’t have to worry anymore about your bully of a sibling, you’ve got us and your Pokemon now. I give you my word that I promise to be your little sister best friend forever, Pique.”

Pique felt his spirit come back to life as he wrapped the lioness in a tight hug. EJ smiled at the sight. “Well, looks like you got yourself a new sister, Pique.”

Pique giggled. “Yeah.”

Caitlin didn’t really mind having a brother from a different family. It was nice to have a friend that was like a close brother to her. She began to think that Sheldon started to feel the same way about Obi.

Maybe Sheldon does feel that way around Obi now...that’d be adorable.

***

Sheldon made certain that all the doors and windows were locked up tight, all except for the one where Obi had waited to capture Danny and Merry. Sheldon smirked, knowing that Danny and Merry were going to get their just deserts this time. The last time they were caught, they barely managed to escape and took off with Veruka’s golden collar. But this time, when they were going to be caught, they wouldn’t have any chance of escaping this time. Sheldon had a feeling that the plan was welly thought out, organized, and had a one hundred percent chance guarantee to be successful. He knew that it would all work out perfectly in the end.

“Danny! Merry!” The timid Lucario shouted.

The sableye and rotom turned around to see Sheldon. Danny smiled nervously. “Oh, um, hey Sheldon. Are you still mad about me and Merry trying to take away your money and your guitar?”

Sheldon growled. “Bad question to ask. Now you get outta here, if you’re dumb enough to steal from Veruka, then you’re dumber than dumb to steal from Nightmare! The witch doctor Lucario who’s part angel and part demon! Have you forgotten so easily?” He snarled.

Danny chuckled. “Sheldon, you got us all wrong.”

Silence then filled the air. Danny and Merry both looked at each other and then made a break for it to the window as they tried to open it.

“Obi! The wolf howls at night!” Sheldon cried.

Obi got the message and opened up the window grabbing the Pokétheives. “I got ‘em!”

Danny and Merry struggled for freedom.

“Any ideas, Danny?” Merry asked, her voice muffled by Obi’s paw.

Danny sighed in annoyance. “I just wish we had a clean get away like back at that old haunted mansion place or whatever that place was.”

Sheldon smirked. “Oh the pain Veruka, Napoleon, and I are gonna give ya. You better hope my wife will heal you two punks, ‘cause you’re going to need a lot of medical treatment after we’re done with you.”

Danny and Merry gulped. They were already in the deep end of the pool from being caught in the act and being captured and facing not only Veruka’s wrath, but also Napoleon’s and Sheldon’s as well, twice the horror and twice the pain, thrice counting if it’s the three of them. It’d be a living heck for them.

***

Vincent sat and focused as much as he could, Rama sat in front of him and did the same. Veruka and Ruby sat beside the two Lucario.

“Okay Vincent, you’re nearly there with that aura sphere. Just keep concentrating, okay?” Ramam smiled as he showed his own aura sphere.

Vincent still kept his focus. He had to keep his focus and learn aura sphere in order to finally master the aura. He thought that if he impressed Veruka with using psychic on those ghost Pokemon from the Old Chateau, he had to be for sure that he could impress her by finally mastering and connecting with his aura.

Rama smiled and nearly jumped up and down seeing the aura sphere forming in Vincent’s paws. “Atta boy, Vince! Just keep focusing!”

“Vincent! Veruka!”

A voice hollered out stradling Vincent and causing the aura sphere to vanish. “Aww, and I almost had it…” Vincent slightly whined as he lost his focus.

Rama sighed. “Sheldon’s probably needing some help with something. You and Veruca better go check it out Vincent. We’ll continue later.”

Vincent got up from his seat and headed over to wherever Sheldon had to be, Veruka following behind. The second they met up with Sheldon, only to find him and Obi struggling to keep a hold of Danny and Merry, the two really had no chance of escape.

Veruka caught up and already knew what was going on and grabbed a hold of Danny’s neck as Obi kept a hold of Merry. “You know these clowns?”

Veruka nodded at Obi’s answer. “What are you two doing here?!” She raised her voice at Danny.

Danny chuckled nervously. “Um, Veruka. Long time, no see, right? N-no hard feelings on me trying to steal your mother’s collar, ri-right?”

Sheldon and Veruka both snarled. “It was the only thing she had from her mother that had actual sentimental value to her! Just like how my personal possessions that my mother held mean sentimental value to me! But did you care? No, you just had to be so dang heartless and maybe it’s because your parents probably abandoned you! I can obviously see why, Danny!”

Danny grew more and more afraid and nervous, Merry wouldn’t be able to save him at this point. Obi tried to focus on keeping Merry held back from attacking the Infernape and the Lucario that were basically scolding him and tried not to dwell on what Sheldon had said, parents abandoning a child, he knew how that felt after his old trainer abandoned him after countless acts of abuse. He didn’t even remember his mother and father. He was just a very young Riolu at that time and hadn’t even gotten so deep as to remember a moment in his life with his parents. Shoving the horrible memories aside, he focused on his job at hand.

“So, what do we do with them?” Obi suddenly asked.

Vincent shrugged. “Since our master isn’t here, maybe we should just take them to Caitlin. What do you say, Veruka?”

Veruka and Sheldon turned to Vincent, back at each other, then to Danny, Then to Obi and Merry, and repeated the process a few more times before thinking it over. Then the Infernape nodded. Sheldon sighed, but he knew Caitlin wasn’t only his best friend, but also his trainer and master, so he’d easily have her allow him to attack Danny and Merry easily without even trying.

***

Caitlin watched Cole and Zach train with EJ and Pique sitting next to her. Zach showed his little brother each and every attack to use on either a Zalgan, a Pokemon, or any other creature that was powerless and weak against any powerful physical attack. Cole repeated each attack; Force Palm, Aura Sphere, Bone Rush, Mega Kick, every attack Zach learned and every attack he learned since he was finally able to battle. 

"Atta boy, Cole! Keep that up and I'm sure you'll be as good as me, your other older brothers, and Caitlin." He smirked tauntingly at his sister. "That is if she's ready for Zalgo." 

Caitlin smirked back. "Just 'cause I'm a girl doesn't mean I all I can do is bite, scream, roar, meow, and scratch, Zachy-boy." She crossed her arms. "And if I didn't know better, I'd say you were challanging me." 

Zach chuckled. "If the boot fits, wear it, sis."

The lioness placed her paws on her hips. "Well then, since I can't really turn back into a Lucario until we reach the underrealm." 

Zach scratched the back of his head. "Point taken, sis."

Caitlin nodded. "But maybe if you're gonna be up for it until then, lets say the challange is excepted."

Zach smiled. "Deal!"

"Caitlin!!!" Sheldon cried with Veruka, Vincent, and Obi following behind.

The group of five tilted their heads. "Sheldon, what do Veruka and Obi have in their hands there?"

Sheldon crossed his arms. "Not "what". Who!"

The Infernape and Lucario both revealed the "who"s to be none other than Danny and Merry themselves. Caitlin gasped a bit. "Danny and Merry! What on earth?...Let me guess, they were trying to steal from Nightmare?"

Sheldon nodded. "So, what do you wish for us to do with them?"

Caitlin looked at EJ, Cole, Zach, and Pique. She sighed and took a breath. "HUDDLE!!!" She cried and put Pique, EJ, and her two brothers in a huddle as if they were all about to play a game of football. Caitlin looked at the four boys. "Okay. Cole, Zach, we all know that Danny and Merry are culpriates and crimanals who fight the law one time too many; EJ and Pique, if either one of you are about to ask who they are, they're Pokemon crooks who steal from humans, Pokemon, and all creatures alike."

"They even tried to steal Charlotte's pacifire one time for no reason what so ever, but to see her cry!" Cole shouted silently. "And that wasn't a very nice thing to do!"

"Those meanies!" Pique quietly snarled.

Caitlin nodded. "Sure they're bullies and crooks but..."

"But what sis?" Zach asked.

Caitlin sighed before speaking. "We need them."

"What?!" The four males were all shocked at Caitlin's dicision.

"I know they don't deserve it, sometimes I curse my kindhearted ways towards others when I want to show rage and fury towards them and have wanted to grow a backbone but..." She looked back at Danny and Merry, only focusing on those two Pokemon and sighed. "I can't let them get beaten up and left for dead like that...okay? Please guys."

The four gentlemen groaned and turned around to Veruka, Vincent, Sheldon, and Obi, telling them Caitlin's dicision. There was a small agruement but then an agreement. Obi and Veruka finally let the two Pokemon go. Before Danny could make the first move, Sheldon grabbed a hold of him, snarling and growling.

"You'd better not steal anything from my puppy-bats, lovely vampire queen, or even the lord of the werelucarios! Understand me, ya gem-glued-grimlin?!?!?"

Everyone took a back at how Sheldon was being so hateful and mean towards Danny, but Veruka knew that he had to be for a good reason. Stealing his guitar and money, stealing his son's riolu-toy, stealing his daughter's pacifire just to make her cry, and stealing his wife's crystal necklace. A death from his mother was something he couldn't get past from Team Rocket, he'd be okay with having that stuck for the rest of his life, but stealing from his spouse and children was where he draw the line. 

Danny gulped and nodded. "Ye-yes sir."

Sheldon finally let go of the sableye and walked off, wanting to continue his training. Vincent, Veruka, and Obi all did the same. Caitlin sighed and sat back down. Danny, sitting next to her.

The sableye stretched his arms out and finally folding them to the back of his head. "Ya know, kitty-cat. I'd didn't think you'd have a heart when it came to me and Merry."

"Don't get to comfortable with it, Danny-boy. Trust me, whatever mercy I have for you will be fading if you even dare tick anyone off on this team." 

Danny got the message. "Yeah, I got the warning from that wolf-cario there. What the heck his his problem anyways?"

"Oh my goodness." Caitlin pretended to be surprised and putting her paw on her chest, acting as if she was finally in shock. "Did we finally make an opphiany that we finally care and want to know about someone's life's troubles. My, my. I didn't think you'd care, Danny." She said in a smart-mouthed sarcastic tone a typical young teenager would use if they were coughing up an attitude.

Danny scowled in digust. "Shut up ya fleabag. I don't care, I just want to know why he's always so--"

"It's none of your beedrill guts anyways, Danny." Caitlin interrupted Danny before he could finish. "Besides, we need to focus on training for now. And you and Merry are going to do A LOT of it. I don't wanna hear any of the following from you or her: whining, complainining, or any annoying voices or whatever. Understood?"

Danny nodded. "Whateves."

"Good, I'm glad we finally agree on something." The lioness smirked.

I should be more intimidating like this towards Danny and Merry all the time. It's fun! Same goes for Sheldon, glad to see he's growing more and more brave by the day. I hope he keeps it up. He's really gonna need all the bravery he can muster to fight Zalgo.