Safe Haven

A Battle and a Reward

The trees above them swayed with the wind, rusting quietly as leaves drifted through the air. The sky was clouded, but there wouldn't be a storm anytime soon. In a shaded area on the ground sat two eevees, hidden away by foliage that protected them from the sight of other creatures. 

"How is it feeling, now?" Reina asked Erin, gesturing to his wound. It had been covered in oran berry juice to heal it, and wrapped with cloth that they luckily had stored in their adventure bag. Erin smiled at the other eevee gratefully. 

"It feels much better now, thanks to you," Erin explained, bowing to the Reina in thanks. Her face flushed red, embarrassed by the overwhelming gratefulness. She wasn't the best at taking compliments...

"Y-yeah--I mean, um, anytime!" Reina exclaimed, still very much embarrassed. She cooled down when she looked up and noticed the place of the sun in the sky. By the look of it, it was getting much later. She shook her head. 

"Maybe we should get going then if you're good?" Reina suggested, standing up to stretch. She yawned as Erin nodded in response. 

"Yeah! Sounds good to me." Erin said excitedly, clearly ready to continue their adventure. Reina nodded, holding a paw out for Erin to grab. He took her paw, and soon enough, they were back in the game. 

-

"Dodge it, Erin!" Reina yelled, trying to communicate to him before the butterfree got a hit in. He heard this, thankfully, and jumped out of the way to dodge the string attack. It was by far one of the worst moves to get hit with when in the forest, being nearly impossible to get out of without a fire or flying type 'mon to help. 

Reina jumped into the air, using her signature swift attack. The stars erupted from her mouth, hitting the butterfree and forcing it onto the ground. Reina sighed with relief, thankful that she didn't miss the move again. She looked to Erin swiftly as he gasped, noticing the butterfree getting up again. It flapped its wings, flying into the air before beginning to charge a move. 

Erin immediately used a helping hand, boosting both Reina's offense and defense. Feeling the surge of energy enter her body, Reina jumped back to dodge a psybeam and started charging a shadow ball in the back of her throat. She left it there a little longer as it formed, wanting it to be extra powerful and take out the butterfree in just one more swoop. 

The shadow ball unleashed from her mouth, and Reina watched as it collided with the butterfree. Smoke appeared from the collision, rising into the air. Reina stared, shocked at the power of her move. Erin looked at her with his mouth agape,  likely just as shocked. 

"E-Erin! Should I check on it, or--" Reina asked nervously, shakiness present in her voice. However, she paused when Erin interrupted her. 

"Don't worry about it--th-that was powerful, but the butterfree should survive," Erin responded, sounding confident despite his nervous stuttering. Reina nodded, still unsure but trusting that Erin knew what he was talking about. 

Reina padded over to Erin slowly, still staring at the cloud of smoke that was slowly subsiding. Now walking alongside him, she side-eyed him nervously, unsure of what to say after what just happened. Instead, it was Erin who spoke first. 

"That sure was a powerful shadow ball, huh?" Erin said, and Reina looked away nervously. He seemed intrigued, despite the worry that etched its way into his voice. 

"I suppose..." Reina replied, feeling a little sheepish. She didn't quite know how to take compliments--if that was even a compliment. She wasn't so sure. Erin gave her a light smile. 

"You sure are strong--I'm gonna need to battle you soon, I'd say." Erin proposed, and Reina just blinked. She continued walking, still processing what he had just said.