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Well, at Serebii I posted this story back in February of 2006 and the story was all finished and posted in August of the same year. For some reason though, haven't posted in other forums yet. D: However, I reread parts of the story and I loved it, but hated all the grammatical mistakes, awkward sentences and instances of implied DamusxAries shipping. D: So yeah, I decided to rewrite the whole story and also put in a new thread because I have made some big changes. Plus, many people did that with their one shots, so why can't I do a redo thread of my story even though it was posted XD
So anyways some things to note. For those that read my other fanfic, Nothing, Everything, sorry to say, but this story is not plot driven. This is actually more character driven and meant to be a parable story, so at first there won't be action. However, the characters will interact with each other a lot, so there will be character development coming in. Another thing, also unlike NE this is a much shorter story, so it'll range somewhere between 7 and 10 chapters (not sure the breakdown yet). One last interesting note is that yes, this story is inspired from Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Great, great, great book. GO. READ. THAT . STORY. NOW! ;D
Next, at the end of the post, I'll put in a spoiler the changes I did from this version and the original version. I actually would like it if you guys check out the original version if you haven't done so and compare the differences. If you don't want to though, that's fine. ^^
This fic is rated PG-13 for instances of violence later on in the story. Pokemon killing and eating one another, fo sho. XD;
Nothing else much to say but enjoy this little parable of mine. Also, I want to thank bobandbill for the great beta work. Last time I didn't have a beta. ^^;
(speaking of Nothing, Everything, I'm also in the process of rewriting the story too, but it's nothing much that merits its own thread. Just a few dialogue and grammar mistakes and adding five new scenes. If you guys are interested in the new scenes though, let me know and I'll just point them out to you the new scenes in PM so that you don't have to reread NE to find them :3 ).
Heart of the Sea: A Parable
"A tenth branch of the king's ordinary revenue, said to be grounded on the consideration of his guarding and protecting the seas from pirates and robbers, is the right to royal fish, which are whale and sturgeon. And these, when either thrown ashore or caught near the coast, are the property of the king."
A storm was brewing in the island city of Harman. It was late at night and many people and Pokémon were hurrying to their homes to avoid getting caught in the storm. Unfortunately, some of them slipped and fell. In a small home, one pale faced woman just finished cutting carrots and putting them in the pot. Betty was cooking dinner while her husband Markus looked outside the window from their living room. Not too far from him, the television was still on, the weather woman explaining tonight's forecast.
Luckily I'm not in the storm, Markus thought with a chuckle while observing the chaos outside. Being soaked was not his idea of fun.
"Right now it's forty-five degrees with the wind at fifty-five miles per hour and there's two inches of rain. Also, the clouds are moving pretty fast so the rain should stop in a couple of hours."
After pulling a strand of her red hair away from her left eye, Betty saw her husband looking through the window, his freckled face showing great interest. Not even the warm bath smell of her soup would make her tall husband snap out of it. That was the least of her worries, though.
"Markus, why are you still looking through the window? Also, if you're not watching the television anymore, why don't you turn it off? You're wasting electricity!"
"I can hear the television, can't I?" Markus answered with a chuckle.
"Markus!" Betty yelled slowly but in a harsh tone. She gave him a stern look.
"Just joking, Betty. Anyways, I'm worried about Aries, Shelgon, and Damus."
Betty sighed and shook her head before continuing to cook dinner. Aries was Betty and Markus's twelve year old son and Damus was an old Pokémon fisherman who was friends with both her husband and her son. During the summer, Aries would always go help Damus catch some fish, but most of the time the fisherman couldn't catch anything save for old boots. Sometimes, Betty thought Damus was the unluckiest person in the world for she believed that even her own son was more capable of catching more fish pokemon by himself."
"I don't know why Aries would want to be with Damus. That man hasn't caught any fish lately."
"Maybe wrong season to be catching fish? It's winter now, you know."
"I know, but I hear the other fishermen are able to catch them. I liked Damus better when he was a Pokémon coordinator, and he was a real good one too." Betty paused to take a taste of her soup. She cringed when she tried it because it was too hot, so she continued stirring. "I'm afraid Aries will get bored of fishing with Damus."
Markus was about to protest, but his eyes suddenly grew wide with excitement. He saw four shadowy figures coming by, moving as fast as their muddy boots could handle. There was one small boy, one man taller but not by that much, and two Pokémon coming.
"It's them! They're finally here!"
"What?" Betty asked, turning around, only to jump slightly and gasp when her spoon dropped on the floor.
The husband rushed to the door and opened it. The figures that Markus recognized facing in front of him were Damus on the left, Aries on the right, and both Manectric and Shelgon in the middle. All four of them were breathing deeply and small clouds kept coming out of their mouths each time they took a breath. Markus' mouth twitched at first, not liking that all four of them were soaking wet and muddy, but then he smiled, hoping it would warm their spirits.
"Hi, Mr. Bluewell," Damus said before yawning.
"Hi, Dad," said Aries, tired as well.
"Hey, guys! Come on in before you catch a cold!"
Markus let Damus, Aries, and their Pokémon come inside the house. Damus didn't seem surprised at the look of the house, having been inside the place a few times already. Aries and Shelgon went to sit on a long sofa next to a black marble table while Damus went to sit on a smaller sofa with Manectric on his lap. Markus went to the kitchen where his wife was while Aries, Damus, and their Pokémon began watching the news.
"Betty, will you go get the towels?"
Betty could already feel her patience dwindling. All of a sudden, she stirred the soup faster. One of her eyes was half closed and she wanted to yell at her husband for wanting to get the towels while cooking dinner. Now long after, Betty let out a quiet sigh as her facial expression changed from mad to understanding. She closed both of her eyes and smiled.
"Sure, I'll get them right now."
Markus nodded and went back to the living room while Betty moved towards the bathroom. While Betty was getting the towels, Manectic looked at the pictures on the wall. There was one picture of Aries and Shelgon outside at a beach close to Harman. The picture had been taken a few months ago while Shelgon was just a Bagon. There was also another picture of both Damus and Aries holding a Seaking. The Seaking was a light orange color instead of dark orange like other Seaking, a shiny. Manectric's eyes then turned to Betty, hearing the soft footsteps coming from where the bathroom was. Betty came back with the towels and gave the towels to Damus and Aries, the two drying themselves immediately.
"Thanks for the towels," said Damus in a low voice.
"You're welcome," Betty said before going back to the kitchen to finish cooking dinner.
While Damus was drying his Manectric and Markus continued to watch the new, Aries was staring out his window at the pounding rain. Aries thought about letting Damus stay here for a couple of hours—or at least until the rain stopped. Aries knew Damus could go outside on his own with his Pokémon helping him, but he didn't like the idea of risking his pokemon's health by having them outside in dangerous weather. Seeing Damus's Manectric wet and shaking from being cold was good enough.
When Aries came inside the kitchen, he saw that his mother was stirring the chicken soup into a silver pot. The small pieces of fresh lettuce, carrots, and the chicken slowly absorbed the hot water. Aries took a deep breath before speaking.
"Mom, is it okay if Damus stays here for a couple of hours or so until the rain stops?" Aries whispered, his shoulders stiffed and his fingers twitching.
"Why? Damus can go outside on his own," said Betty while still stirring the soup.
"I know, but after seeing his Manectric all wet, I don't want them to catch a cold."
Betty stopped stirring the soup and looked at Damus' Manectric, sleeping on the man's lap. The fisherman was slowly petting Manectric's fluffy fur. She could hear Manectric growling slowly but sweetly, its mouth showing a cute smile. After seeing Manectric being comfortable in the living room, she smiled, having already made her decision.
"All right, Damus can stay, but only until the rain stops," said Betty with a smile.
Aries hugged his mother and whispered, "Thank you, Mom."
Betty grinned and hugged her son back. Later Aries went back to the living room and began scratching Shelgon's chin while waiting for dinner.
***
About half an hour after the two men and their Pokémon came inside the house, it was dinner time and everybody was eating in the dining hall. The dining room boasted a black cabinet that displayed exquisite dinner plates. The fireplace next to the cabin burned brightly; in general, the room was very warm and comfortable. Everyone enjoyed the chicken soup, even Manectric and Shelgon. It was all peace and quiet until Markus broke it.
"So did you two and the Pokémon catch anything today?"
Aries was about to speak with his mouth full but Damus put his right hand up.
"Wait until you finish eating, Aries," Damus said nicely.
Aries nodded, understanding it was bad manners to talk with your mouth full. After finishing his carrot, he answered, "No Dad, we didn't."
The father frowned. "I'm sorry about that. Maybe you two will catch more fish tomorrow."
"We would have stayed out a little longer but we left because of the rain," Damus said, his face showing disappointment. He then glanced at his fingers tapping the table.
"So you guys are going to fish again tomorrow?" Markus asked.
"Of course! I wouldn't go fishing with anyone else besides Mr. Craig!" Aries cheered.
Betty suddenly stopped eating her soup and her cheeks blushed slightly. One of her eyes was half closed and her mouth quivered. It was hard for Betty to contain her anger. The woman took a couple deep breathes and spoke slowly to her husband.
"Um, Markus, can I talk to you for a minute in the living room?"
Everyone, including the two Pokémon, was confused to why Betty would want a private talk with her husband. After a moment of dead silence, Markus spoke first.
"Sure. Excuse us." Markus and Betty got out of their chairs and walked inside the living room.
"Aries should go fishing on his own from now on," Betty whispered.
Markus's eyes widened. "Why? Aries really likes it when he fishes with Damus," the man protested, whispering also.
"I know, but I'm afraid that if Damus doesn't catch a fish for a very long time, pretty soon Aries will wonder why he has been fishing with him." While talking, she pointed at the old man.
"I know, you told me this already." After Markus sighed heavily, he looked at Aries and Damus talking while Shelgon and Manectric were playing together. He smiled, glad everyone was happy together. "Well, it has been forty days so far with no fish being caught, but Aries seems to be still very happy."
"Forty days is not long enough. When a year has gone by, then Aries will get it in his head that fishing with Damus is a waste of time."
Markus was about to say something but he wasn't able to speak. After thinking for a short while, Markus turned around to look at his wife. His facial expression was of utter defeat.
"I guess you're right. He may be happy right now, but two years from now he'll get depressed."
Betty grinned, her smile being remarkably large. "Good. I like to hear that. We should go back to the dining room."
While the two walked towards the dining room, Markus saw Damus talking to Aries about one of his contest battles. Aries' eyes were filled with anticipation and excitement. As Damus's story progressed, Aries liked the story better every second. Markus gave out a weak smile. In his heart he knew that Aries would stick fishing with Damus until either one of them died, but Markus didn't want to argue with his wife.
When the husband and wife were in the dining room, Damus had stopped telling Aries the story. Both Damus and Aries' eyes shot forward towards Betty and Markus. Betty was the first one to speak.
"Um Aries, your father and I have been talking and we decided that tomorrow you will not be fishing with Damus. Instead, you will go fishing by yourself."
Aries' eyes turned wide and he felt his heart beating in anxiety. "Why?"
Markus was about to answer that question but Betty cut in. "We believe it's a good idea to catch some fish alone so that you don't need to be thinking you wasted your time fishing with Damus."
After hearing that, the boy felt a fire inside his heart. He wanted to scream like he never screamed before and tell his mother why she would say such a thing to Damus, even with him in front of her nose. Just then Aries looked at Damus and stopped himself from voicing his opinion. While looking at Damus, Aries saw how his eyes were filled not with sadness or anger, but with forgiveness. He gave out a slight smile. Aries was surprised that Damus was very calm, despite his mother's words. Whenever Aries saw Damus like that, he thought he must be the most relaxed and patient man in the world.
"I have to disagree with you. I would rather fish with Damus," the young boy said slowly and nicely to his mother.
"You 're disagreeing with me?" said Betty in a slow but loud voice.
"Yes. Besides, you think I would be happier fishing alone? I don't think so. I believe that the reason you don't want me to fish with Damus is because you don't like him."
Damus shook his head and closed his eyes, hearing the two arguing. "Well Betty, if Aries still wants fish with me, then let him."
Betty's cheeks became flaming red and she held her right hand up, as if she was about to slap Damus. When she yelled at Damus, Manectric and Shelgon stopped eating and listened to the commotion, both creatures showing confused expressions.
"Are you a parent of Aries? I don't think so. I am the one that thinks what is best for my son, not some old Pokémon fisherman who can't catch a fish!"
Damus's eyes didn't change after Betty's negative statement to him. Aries' mouth was open wide. He knew his mom could be hot tempered at times, but not like this. He felt he was losing his patience, but his face didn't show any sign of this. Instead, he frowned sadly and he hung his head down in disappointment.
"So I'm not going to go fishing with Damus?"
"No. You are going to fish alone and that's that," said Betty in a firm manner.
Aries slowly turned around to see Damus, the old man's eyes still looking sad. Damus knew that Aries was expecting some sort of support for him, whether it was screaming at his mother or agreeing with him. Instead, Damus said something that surprised Aries.
"Sorry Aries, I can't help you here. Your parents are the one that chooses whether you go fishing with me or not. If I were to take you fishing without your parent's permission, then they would be mad at the both of us."
After hearing Damus saying that, Aries could have just screamed at him for choosing his parent's sides, but he could not get himself to do so. If he were to scream at Damus, then the two might argue and it could be a chance that Damus might not want to fish with him forever. Despite hating what Aries said, Damus was a wise friend and he respected him.
"I guess you're right. All right then, I will obey my parents." After Aries finished saying that, Damus's eyes brightened, his heart a little happier.
***
So anyways some things to note. For those that read my other fanfic, Nothing, Everything, sorry to say, but this story is not plot driven. This is actually more character driven and meant to be a parable story, so at first there won't be action. However, the characters will interact with each other a lot, so there will be character development coming in. Another thing, also unlike NE this is a much shorter story, so it'll range somewhere between 7 and 10 chapters (not sure the breakdown yet). One last interesting note is that yes, this story is inspired from Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Great, great, great book. GO. READ. THAT . STORY. NOW! ;D
Next, at the end of the post, I'll put in a spoiler the changes I did from this version and the original version. I actually would like it if you guys check out the original version if you haven't done so and compare the differences. If you don't want to though, that's fine. ^^
This fic is rated PG-13 for instances of violence later on in the story. Pokemon killing and eating one another, fo sho. XD;
Nothing else much to say but enjoy this little parable of mine. Also, I want to thank bobandbill for the great beta work. Last time I didn't have a beta. ^^;
(speaking of Nothing, Everything, I'm also in the process of rewriting the story too, but it's nothing much that merits its own thread. Just a few dialogue and grammar mistakes and adding five new scenes. If you guys are interested in the new scenes though, let me know and I'll just point them out to you the new scenes in PM so that you don't have to reread NE to find them :3 ).
Heart of the Sea: A Parable
CHAPTER ONE: OBEYING YOUR PARENTS
"A tenth branch of the king's ordinary revenue, said to be grounded on the consideration of his guarding and protecting the seas from pirates and robbers, is the right to royal fish, which are whale and sturgeon. And these, when either thrown ashore or caught near the coast, are the property of the king."
-Blackstone
A storm was brewing in the island city of Harman. It was late at night and many people and Pokémon were hurrying to their homes to avoid getting caught in the storm. Unfortunately, some of them slipped and fell. In a small home, one pale faced woman just finished cutting carrots and putting them in the pot. Betty was cooking dinner while her husband Markus looked outside the window from their living room. Not too far from him, the television was still on, the weather woman explaining tonight's forecast.
Luckily I'm not in the storm, Markus thought with a chuckle while observing the chaos outside. Being soaked was not his idea of fun.
"Right now it's forty-five degrees with the wind at fifty-five miles per hour and there's two inches of rain. Also, the clouds are moving pretty fast so the rain should stop in a couple of hours."
After pulling a strand of her red hair away from her left eye, Betty saw her husband looking through the window, his freckled face showing great interest. Not even the warm bath smell of her soup would make her tall husband snap out of it. That was the least of her worries, though.
"Markus, why are you still looking through the window? Also, if you're not watching the television anymore, why don't you turn it off? You're wasting electricity!"
"I can hear the television, can't I?" Markus answered with a chuckle.
"Markus!" Betty yelled slowly but in a harsh tone. She gave him a stern look.
"Just joking, Betty. Anyways, I'm worried about Aries, Shelgon, and Damus."
Betty sighed and shook her head before continuing to cook dinner. Aries was Betty and Markus's twelve year old son and Damus was an old Pokémon fisherman who was friends with both her husband and her son. During the summer, Aries would always go help Damus catch some fish, but most of the time the fisherman couldn't catch anything save for old boots. Sometimes, Betty thought Damus was the unluckiest person in the world for she believed that even her own son was more capable of catching more fish pokemon by himself."
"I don't know why Aries would want to be with Damus. That man hasn't caught any fish lately."
"Maybe wrong season to be catching fish? It's winter now, you know."
"I know, but I hear the other fishermen are able to catch them. I liked Damus better when he was a Pokémon coordinator, and he was a real good one too." Betty paused to take a taste of her soup. She cringed when she tried it because it was too hot, so she continued stirring. "I'm afraid Aries will get bored of fishing with Damus."
Markus was about to protest, but his eyes suddenly grew wide with excitement. He saw four shadowy figures coming by, moving as fast as their muddy boots could handle. There was one small boy, one man taller but not by that much, and two Pokémon coming.
"It's them! They're finally here!"
"What?" Betty asked, turning around, only to jump slightly and gasp when her spoon dropped on the floor.
The husband rushed to the door and opened it. The figures that Markus recognized facing in front of him were Damus on the left, Aries on the right, and both Manectric and Shelgon in the middle. All four of them were breathing deeply and small clouds kept coming out of their mouths each time they took a breath. Markus' mouth twitched at first, not liking that all four of them were soaking wet and muddy, but then he smiled, hoping it would warm their spirits.
"Hi, Mr. Bluewell," Damus said before yawning.
"Hi, Dad," said Aries, tired as well.
"Hey, guys! Come on in before you catch a cold!"
Markus let Damus, Aries, and their Pokémon come inside the house. Damus didn't seem surprised at the look of the house, having been inside the place a few times already. Aries and Shelgon went to sit on a long sofa next to a black marble table while Damus went to sit on a smaller sofa with Manectric on his lap. Markus went to the kitchen where his wife was while Aries, Damus, and their Pokémon began watching the news.
"Betty, will you go get the towels?"
Betty could already feel her patience dwindling. All of a sudden, she stirred the soup faster. One of her eyes was half closed and she wanted to yell at her husband for wanting to get the towels while cooking dinner. Now long after, Betty let out a quiet sigh as her facial expression changed from mad to understanding. She closed both of her eyes and smiled.
"Sure, I'll get them right now."
Markus nodded and went back to the living room while Betty moved towards the bathroom. While Betty was getting the towels, Manectic looked at the pictures on the wall. There was one picture of Aries and Shelgon outside at a beach close to Harman. The picture had been taken a few months ago while Shelgon was just a Bagon. There was also another picture of both Damus and Aries holding a Seaking. The Seaking was a light orange color instead of dark orange like other Seaking, a shiny. Manectric's eyes then turned to Betty, hearing the soft footsteps coming from where the bathroom was. Betty came back with the towels and gave the towels to Damus and Aries, the two drying themselves immediately.
"Thanks for the towels," said Damus in a low voice.
"You're welcome," Betty said before going back to the kitchen to finish cooking dinner.
While Damus was drying his Manectric and Markus continued to watch the new, Aries was staring out his window at the pounding rain. Aries thought about letting Damus stay here for a couple of hours—or at least until the rain stopped. Aries knew Damus could go outside on his own with his Pokémon helping him, but he didn't like the idea of risking his pokemon's health by having them outside in dangerous weather. Seeing Damus's Manectric wet and shaking from being cold was good enough.
When Aries came inside the kitchen, he saw that his mother was stirring the chicken soup into a silver pot. The small pieces of fresh lettuce, carrots, and the chicken slowly absorbed the hot water. Aries took a deep breath before speaking.
"Mom, is it okay if Damus stays here for a couple of hours or so until the rain stops?" Aries whispered, his shoulders stiffed and his fingers twitching.
"Why? Damus can go outside on his own," said Betty while still stirring the soup.
"I know, but after seeing his Manectric all wet, I don't want them to catch a cold."
Betty stopped stirring the soup and looked at Damus' Manectric, sleeping on the man's lap. The fisherman was slowly petting Manectric's fluffy fur. She could hear Manectric growling slowly but sweetly, its mouth showing a cute smile. After seeing Manectric being comfortable in the living room, she smiled, having already made her decision.
"All right, Damus can stay, but only until the rain stops," said Betty with a smile.
Aries hugged his mother and whispered, "Thank you, Mom."
Betty grinned and hugged her son back. Later Aries went back to the living room and began scratching Shelgon's chin while waiting for dinner.
***
About half an hour after the two men and their Pokémon came inside the house, it was dinner time and everybody was eating in the dining hall. The dining room boasted a black cabinet that displayed exquisite dinner plates. The fireplace next to the cabin burned brightly; in general, the room was very warm and comfortable. Everyone enjoyed the chicken soup, even Manectric and Shelgon. It was all peace and quiet until Markus broke it.
"So did you two and the Pokémon catch anything today?"
Aries was about to speak with his mouth full but Damus put his right hand up.
"Wait until you finish eating, Aries," Damus said nicely.
Aries nodded, understanding it was bad manners to talk with your mouth full. After finishing his carrot, he answered, "No Dad, we didn't."
The father frowned. "I'm sorry about that. Maybe you two will catch more fish tomorrow."
"We would have stayed out a little longer but we left because of the rain," Damus said, his face showing disappointment. He then glanced at his fingers tapping the table.
"So you guys are going to fish again tomorrow?" Markus asked.
"Of course! I wouldn't go fishing with anyone else besides Mr. Craig!" Aries cheered.
Betty suddenly stopped eating her soup and her cheeks blushed slightly. One of her eyes was half closed and her mouth quivered. It was hard for Betty to contain her anger. The woman took a couple deep breathes and spoke slowly to her husband.
"Um, Markus, can I talk to you for a minute in the living room?"
Everyone, including the two Pokémon, was confused to why Betty would want a private talk with her husband. After a moment of dead silence, Markus spoke first.
"Sure. Excuse us." Markus and Betty got out of their chairs and walked inside the living room.
"Aries should go fishing on his own from now on," Betty whispered.
Markus's eyes widened. "Why? Aries really likes it when he fishes with Damus," the man protested, whispering also.
"I know, but I'm afraid that if Damus doesn't catch a fish for a very long time, pretty soon Aries will wonder why he has been fishing with him." While talking, she pointed at the old man.
"I know, you told me this already." After Markus sighed heavily, he looked at Aries and Damus talking while Shelgon and Manectric were playing together. He smiled, glad everyone was happy together. "Well, it has been forty days so far with no fish being caught, but Aries seems to be still very happy."
"Forty days is not long enough. When a year has gone by, then Aries will get it in his head that fishing with Damus is a waste of time."
Markus was about to say something but he wasn't able to speak. After thinking for a short while, Markus turned around to look at his wife. His facial expression was of utter defeat.
"I guess you're right. He may be happy right now, but two years from now he'll get depressed."
Betty grinned, her smile being remarkably large. "Good. I like to hear that. We should go back to the dining room."
While the two walked towards the dining room, Markus saw Damus talking to Aries about one of his contest battles. Aries' eyes were filled with anticipation and excitement. As Damus's story progressed, Aries liked the story better every second. Markus gave out a weak smile. In his heart he knew that Aries would stick fishing with Damus until either one of them died, but Markus didn't want to argue with his wife.
When the husband and wife were in the dining room, Damus had stopped telling Aries the story. Both Damus and Aries' eyes shot forward towards Betty and Markus. Betty was the first one to speak.
"Um Aries, your father and I have been talking and we decided that tomorrow you will not be fishing with Damus. Instead, you will go fishing by yourself."
Aries' eyes turned wide and he felt his heart beating in anxiety. "Why?"
Markus was about to answer that question but Betty cut in. "We believe it's a good idea to catch some fish alone so that you don't need to be thinking you wasted your time fishing with Damus."
After hearing that, the boy felt a fire inside his heart. He wanted to scream like he never screamed before and tell his mother why she would say such a thing to Damus, even with him in front of her nose. Just then Aries looked at Damus and stopped himself from voicing his opinion. While looking at Damus, Aries saw how his eyes were filled not with sadness or anger, but with forgiveness. He gave out a slight smile. Aries was surprised that Damus was very calm, despite his mother's words. Whenever Aries saw Damus like that, he thought he must be the most relaxed and patient man in the world.
"I have to disagree with you. I would rather fish with Damus," the young boy said slowly and nicely to his mother.
"You 're disagreeing with me?" said Betty in a slow but loud voice.
"Yes. Besides, you think I would be happier fishing alone? I don't think so. I believe that the reason you don't want me to fish with Damus is because you don't like him."
Damus shook his head and closed his eyes, hearing the two arguing. "Well Betty, if Aries still wants fish with me, then let him."
Betty's cheeks became flaming red and she held her right hand up, as if she was about to slap Damus. When she yelled at Damus, Manectric and Shelgon stopped eating and listened to the commotion, both creatures showing confused expressions.
"Are you a parent of Aries? I don't think so. I am the one that thinks what is best for my son, not some old Pokémon fisherman who can't catch a fish!"
Damus's eyes didn't change after Betty's negative statement to him. Aries' mouth was open wide. He knew his mom could be hot tempered at times, but not like this. He felt he was losing his patience, but his face didn't show any sign of this. Instead, he frowned sadly and he hung his head down in disappointment.
"So I'm not going to go fishing with Damus?"
"No. You are going to fish alone and that's that," said Betty in a firm manner.
Aries slowly turned around to see Damus, the old man's eyes still looking sad. Damus knew that Aries was expecting some sort of support for him, whether it was screaming at his mother or agreeing with him. Instead, Damus said something that surprised Aries.
"Sorry Aries, I can't help you here. Your parents are the one that chooses whether you go fishing with me or not. If I were to take you fishing without your parent's permission, then they would be mad at the both of us."
After hearing Damus saying that, Aries could have just screamed at him for choosing his parent's sides, but he could not get himself to do so. If he were to scream at Damus, then the two might argue and it could be a chance that Damus might not want to fish with him forever. Despite hating what Aries said, Damus was a wise friend and he respected him.
"I guess you're right. All right then, I will obey my parents." After Aries finished saying that, Damus's eyes brightened, his heart a little happier.
***
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