Years of abuse, first from his fellow Froakie at the breeding center, then from his first nine trainers, had taught Froakie one thing. Don't trust anyone. It was a cold mantra to follow, but in time the loneliness dulled to a mere nuisance, his own emotional headache that occurred from time to time.
They didn't call him frigid for nothing.
Ash was the only one he fully trusted, but even he could only do so much for Froakie. None of the other Pokemon had much to do with him. Some of them, like Fletchinder, were afraid of him. Others, like Chespin, thought he was cold and heartless. And the rest thought he was all right, but he pushed them away too, if only out of habit. Not that they made much of an effort to be his friend, anyway.
"Leave me alone," he would say, when what he really meant was, Don't go, care enough to stay.
They never did.
Hawlucha's capture brought about the first attempt anyone had made at befriending him in a while, and frankly it was the last thing Froakie wanted. He finally snapped after their disaster of a double battle against Chespin and Bunnelby, faced with an expression of anger that mirrored his own, but also hurt that reflected the pain he was trying to suppress.
"Go away." But keep coming back.
"I don't care if you hate me. I don't need you as a friend-I've got others." You know me, Hawlucha, you know I don't have anyone besides Ash.
"I hate you." I'm sorry.
Hawlucha didn't leave.
"Don't be like that," he told him. "It's awfully effective."
Maybe he's right.
YOU ARE READING
Fire and Ice
Random"I never thought that the one I wanted to get rid of the most would turn out to be the one to make me want to live again."
