Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 10

[Ra The BlazeWingPhoenix]

Neo waved at them as they left.

[Creation of Pokerus]

"And do you have a plan of action?" Paul asked.

[Big Uri]

"You alright?" Luke asked gently, a bit worried.

[quackers are yummylicious]

"Of course not. I'm not a good leader, almost everybody hates me. Erika's the one they like, Ade's th' one who gets shit done and scares everyone int'a submission, and I'm th' lame one that nobody knows why they're still around," Heidi grumbled, her low self-esteem peeking out.

---

Kira smiled softly at Luke. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine... You're okay, too?" she asked. She knew Luke didn't like coming into the villages, since most of the villagers looked at him like he was a freak.

[Big Uri]

"I'm managing. As long as the only people we talk to are people like Neo or Tom, I should be fine. They don't particularly care about stuff like that. Well, more Neo than Tom since Tom can't even see the appearance, but..." Luke trailed off. If he caught another one of those looks at his face he was going its owner's face in.

[MrMissMrs Random]

Al started to walk towards Ven. "We should be heading towards one of the outskirt villages today. That's where msot of the runaways end up."

[Creation of Pokerus]

Paul shook his head. "But I'm gonna tell you one thing," he said, "You're the only one left to lead."

[MrMissMrs Random]

Simon was walking down the street towards Kira and Luke, though he was more focused on getting to Heidi's.

[quackers are yummylicious]

Kira gently kissed Luke's burnt cheek as not to hurt him. "Well, everyone else is just stupid. You're very handsome, even if you're a little burnt. Maybe they're all just looking at you 'cuz they're jealous!" she raved on a bit, trying to make him feel better. She knew the last part wasn't true, but hey, it couldn't hurt to boost Luke's self-confidence.

---

"Perhaps, but there are people more suited for the job than me."

[Creation of Pokerus]

Paul raised an eyebrow. "Never," Paul said, "you're one of the leaders for a reason."

[Big Uri]

"Thanks," Luke replied, appreciating the statement despite disagreeing with it. He glanced at the boy making his way towards them somewhat absentmindedly, before kissing Kira back briefly, grateful for the pick-me-up.

[quackers are yummylicious]

"Yeah, th' reason is that me 'nd Erika 'nd Ade were all teammates," Heidi responded.

---

Kira continued to smile, though she was well aware that Luke didn't agree with her. She'd just have to keep telling him until he did believe her.

[MrMissMrs Random]

Simon looked over at the two and gave a small smile and a nod, not understanding the little hiccup of... somethign he felt in his stomach.

[Creation of Pokerus]

"And I don't think they could have done anything without you," Paul said.

[quackers are yummylicious]

Kira smiled slightly at Simon in reply. He didn't look at Luke like he was a freak!

---

"Prove it," Heidi responded, raising an eyebrow.

[Big Uri]

Luke nodded back at the kid, despite only vaguely recognising him as the kid Heidi had been taking care of, the one that was friends with the kid Erika had been taking care of. Lots of old faces from the tournament these days, he thought.

[Creation of Pokerus]

Paul shrugged. "You're you," he said, "You're an awesome friend, fun to be around, and don't take shit from anyone. You're independent, reckless, and a risk taker. You defend your friends fiercely and talk big. You also do your best to help the village. Heck, you spent three months with Nathan to get stronger."

[quackers are yummylicious]

"Yeah, and look what that got me. They all dislike me even more 'cuz I went off with him. I may not take anyone's shit, but that doesn't mean I'm good at leading all these dumbasses. Can't even take care of their selves," Heidi rolled her eyes.

[Creation of Pokerus]

"Teach them a lesson," Paul said, "I'll even back you up. Would you rather Joey leading the village you helped found or yourself?"

[quackers are yummylicious]

"What, y'mean beat th' shit outta 'em? I don't think that'll win me any brownie points. And a'course they'll follow Joey instead, dumbasses are attracted to each other."

---

Kira smiled at Luke as they passed Simon. "See? He didn't look at you like you were a freak!" she said, a hopeful tone in her voice, as if this one example might possibly change Luke's perspective.

[Book the Hero]

Joey nodded as he finished packing the stuff onto Ven. "We'll stop and gather info there." He said.

[Ra The BlazeWingPhoenix]

"Seriously though," Neo sighed, rubbing the back of his head now that he was alone. "I'm getting worried about Joey and them...they should have been back long ago, since they're flying. It shouldn't take them a month just to get there and back..."

"Unless, they got really lost...but still..." Neo looked up at the sky. "Fuck...Things are really messed up now..."

[Creation of Pokerus]

"I really doubt violence is the way," Paul sweatdropped, "But you'll have to do something."

[MrMissMrs Random]

"Right." The twins nodded.

"We should be careful though. Eric warns us not to go that far, and some of them might be dangerous." Josh nodded, he still trusted his big brother.

[quackers are yummylicious]

"In case y' haven't noticed, I don't have th' most diplomatic mind ever. Y' might have t' help me come up with somethin', since fighting obviously ain't gonna work," Heidi sighed.

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