Destined for each other

Chapter 13 A Day in the Forest

The past
Third P.O.V.

Ripple was sitting in front of his three sons telling them all about the Vaporeon tribe. Nolan's tail began to wage excitedly while Harvey and Conan seemed bored. "Dad, can I join the tribe, when I'm old enough?" Nolan asked. "Ah, Seriously, Nolan? You actually want to be part of that?" Conan asked with mockery in his voice. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Ripple yelled. "Conan, what did I tell you about picking on your little brother?" He fell quiet and frowned. "Heh, sorry.." He muttered. Ripple shot him and Hearvy with a cool glare. "I expect more from you two. Why can't you guys be more like Nolan?" Nolan looked slightly embarrassed, as the two glared at him but didn't dare say anything while their father was watching. "Conan, you know I have high expectations for you." Conan looked unhappy as Ripple padded up to him. "Don't disappoint me we had that conversation."
"But Dad I'm not going to be-"
"Conan! Like it or not you are part of my family and we have been part of the Vaporeon tribe for many generations. Don't think that's going to change because one is selfish." Conan let out a sigh. "But I'm not being selfish."
"Ah, good so you won't disappoint me." Harvey heaved a sigh. "Dad, Conan and I have talked about it... we're not going to be Vaporeons." Ripple stared at them bitterly for a few moments then picked up Nolan by his scruff. "Come on Nolan I'll take you to the beach and tell you more cool storys since your other two brothers are not interested!" Nolan looked excited. "Really? Can I go for a swim? I want to see the ocean!" Ripple let out a purr. "I suppose I could take you for a little swim.." Conan and Hearvy both gave a sigh of relief. Ripple paused putting Nolan down. "You go ahead Nolan, I'll be right there." He ran towords the beach excitedly. Then Ripple turned around to face the other two. "I'm not done with you two. I'm your father and you'll do as I tell you to! You're going to evolve into Vaporeon and like it!" They both looked upset. "No! I don't like it! I'll never like it!" Conan rejected. For a moment Ripple looked hurt then a growl escaped his muzzle. "You better stay away from Nolan! The last thing I need is you two corrupting him!" He began padding away. "You know where I'll be if you decide to come around." Conan and Hearvy both exchange nervous glances with each other.
"Conan... does dad hate us?" Hearvy asked. Conan frowned there were times that Ripple had been good to them but it changed when Conan and Hearvy came forword with him and told him they didn't want to join the Vaporeon tribe or evolve into Vaporeons. Ripple started spending more time with Nolan and less with them after they had that conversation. Conan let out a sad sigh. "I.... I don't know Hearvy I guess Nolan is the favourite." Hearvy let out a growl. "That's because he wants to be a stupid Vaporeon!" He hung his head miserably. "Ah! Who are kidding Conan we might as well just give up! Dad said we have to be Vaporeons weather we like it or not! And..." He paused looking sad. "Maybe he'll start liking us again if we just agree to his terms.."
Conan glared at him. "Do you hear yourself Hearvy? Once you touch a water stone there's no going back.. And do you really want to be stuck in the ocean your whole life?" He paused looking scared. "Ahhhh... what?" Conan slapped a paw on his forehead looking frustrated. "Dad wants us to live with the tribe in the ocean! Do you really think he's gonna let us leave?" Now Hearvy was quiet. "I think I'd rather die..." He said. Conan let out a sigh. "Hearvy we can't let him Evolve us into Vaporeons... we need to prepare ourselves. Dad is gonna look for water stones and we need to find ours. We'll find them and then hide them and when the time comes we'll beat Dad to the punch." Hearvy looked worried. "Won't that piss him off?" Conan inhales a deep sigh. "Well, we either piss him off or let him ruin our lives. Which do you prefer?" Heavy slowly nodded in agreement. "You're right and besides if we evolve into Vaporeon I have a feeling he's still going to shut us out anyway... maybe he'll forgive us eventually." Conan nodded. "I hope you're right Hearvy... come on let's go talk to Mother at least she approves of us, we need to tell her our situation I know we can trust her." They both padded away together.