Russell felt the need to run, he needed to get as far away from Ash, from Chaat, from Zia, from everyone as possible. It felt so wrong, seeing Ash again after all these years, all this time. Russell didn't know Ash anymore. Ash lived seven years without him, he wasn't that small little orange elf boy he knew anymore. For all Russell knew, Ash was only friends with him out of pity, he was just a childhood friend he lost touch with and bumped into, he wasn't his true friend anymore. Too much time had passed. They were both different people.

Not wanting to make a spectacle, Russell walked quickly out of the mall food court. He couldn't stay there anymore. He started to pick up his pace, not daring to look behind him. "Russell? Wait! Russell!" Ash called, from a distance, he could hear distant footsteps running towards him, Russell began to run, knowing Ash was behind him. "Russell! Stop!"

He reached the automatic doors of the mall, trying to keep calm, he ran towards his car. But at that moment, he felt a warm hand gentle, but firmly grab his arm from behind him. He came to a complete stop, almost falling backwards as he did so.

He didn't need to turn around. He knew who it was.

"Russell..." Ash's calm voice said softly, trying to catch his breath, "Man, you run fast..."

Let go. Please...

But his gentle grip on his arm didn't loosen, "What's wrong?" Ash asked, "Tell me what's wrong?"

“This…” Russell managed to blurt out. Ash circled slowly in front of Russell, for just a second, Russell saw Ash’s face filled with nervousness, before he averted his eyes, and began to stare at the concrete.

“What?” Ash asked, a tinge of nervousness in his voice, “I just need to get away from here, away from you…” Russell replied, trying his best to remain calm.

“Why do you want to get away from me?” Ash asked, “Because…I hate you right now…” not daring to move his eyes, not daring to look his former friend in the face.

“W…What!? Ash asked with a sudden burst of sadness and fear, “What did I do!?”

You left me…you FORGOT about me…

Russell wanted to scream those words at Ash's face, but he knew that would be too cruel. Ash left him, even if it wasn’t his choice, it was both the government of Earth and Otacaia that made that decision for Ash and his family.

But still, Ash still left him. He left him to the wolves as a child. How dare this orange alien come back into his life again? He had never felt so insulted, before Zia came back into his life, before he had the courage to cut ties with his mother, to stand up to his uncle, he had been alone again.

“Nothing…” Russell sighed, "You didn't do anything to me. Ash I am happy to see you again, I really am, and I shouldn't be mad at you for anything. You have been nothing but a good friend to me, and apparently to many others, you're doing a lot of good things for both our planets. When you...left me..."

Russell took a deep breath and moved his eyes towards Ash's shocked face.

"Everything just went to hell for me all over again." Ash's shocked expression melted into sadness. "The kids at school...your uncle...they...started hurting you when I left, didn't they?" Ash asked somberly, Russell could only nod at the question, he really did not want to continue this conversation, he just wanted to get into his car and drive as far away as possible.

He motioned for his car, he only got a few steps before Ash put his hands on Russell's shoulders, preventing Russell from moving past him, forcing him to look at Ash's face. Just his touch, looking at his face sent Russell's heart into great pain.

"Russell. Please listen!" Ash begged, but Russell really didn't want to, "Please." he asked again.

"I had no idea you felt this way...I had no idea you were even mad at me...I am sorry that I left you, I didn't want to, you know that, but we're here together again. "I..." he took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling, then giving Russell a weak smile, "I want to fix everything! I want to make up for that! Please...Russell?"

"I thought you had forgotten about me, Ash...you have always been so popular, with everyone..." Russell rubbed his fingers together, trying to keep his train of thought.

"I could never forget you!" Ash said, "You were, and still are, my special friend! No one could even come close to that!" For a moment, Russell could hear his voice from seven years ago. That child's voice, that child's innocence, that child's determination.

"I do not know what happened to you these past seven years, but as your friend, I...I want to make it right! I want to fix it! I want to continue being your friend! Please consider my request, Russell Aaron Firkins!"

Russell could now see that determination in Ash's beautiful amethyst purple eyes, the same as when they were in school. It had only been a moment of silence, but it seemed to stretch forever. Until, Russell let out a snicker, which escalated into a giggle, and then a series of soft laughter, startling the orange skinned alien.

"After all this time, you haven't changed one bit..." Russell said, catching his breath as his laughter subsided. Ash could only smile, "Of course! I am Ash Artanya! Always have been! Always will be!"

Russell returned the smile, "Yes, I can see that..." and he took a deep breath. "Alright...I still want to be friends with you too...and...I think we can make this right."

Ash's eyes brightened with joy and his smile grew bigger, he bounced with excitement and gave Russell a sudden hug, taking the Human man aback.

"Oh, Russell! I promise you won't regret this! And this time, I won't leave you!"

I hope you can keep that promise this time, Ash...

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