Fire and Ice

Welcome Home

"You don't belong here."

Those words pierced through Greninja like a knife, carving into his heart. He could feel the gazes of Ash's older Pokemon on him, their eyes cutting deep into his soul.

"Why are you even here? You're not like the rest of us," Bayleef said coldly. "You're not normal. I know all about you and your stupid bond phenomenon power thing, whatever it is. You're a freak, Greninja, that's what you are. You don't belong here among us normal Pokemon."

As the Johto grass-type starter spoke, Greninja felt his heart sinking lower and lower. He had thought that he was past the point where everyone would judge him for being different, but it seemed like that wasn't the case. Even his former teammates weren't saying anything in his defense, not that he'd really expected them to. None of them had particularly liked him, after all, unless you counted Hawlucha and he was nowhere to be found.

"Leave," Bayleef continued, several other Pokemon nodding in agreement. "You're a danger to everyone, freak. Just leave so the rest of us can live a normal life."

Anger bubbled up inside Greninja. He was a freak? What right did she have to assume that? What made her any less of a freak than him, especially considering the whole "crush on Ash" deal? He opened his mouth to respond, wanting to cause her as much emotional pain as he had suffered, when a very familiar voice cut him off.

"Actually, Bayleef," Hawlucha said coolly. "You're the freak."

At his words, Bayleef went silent. Greninja turned around, feeling his spirits lift as he saw his best friend standing beside him. Hawlucha flashed him a quick smile before turning back to the grass-type.

"Look around you. Everyone else is normal except for you," the Aztec bird continued. "You're just jealous that Greninja has more going for him than you ever will. He's probably the strongest Pokemon Ash has ever had, he's kind, and he and Ash have a great bond, and that's why he has that power. But what are you? Nothing but some expendable grass-type who has a crush on a human. You can't even find a mate within your own species. Maybe you should be placed into a mental ward or something."

With that, he turned around and walked away, leaving Bayleef staring after him with her jaw open and tears brimming in her eyes. Greninja, not even sparing her a glance, quickly took off after Hawlucha. He caught up to him just outside the ranch, practicing Brick Break on a tree limb.

"Thanks for that," Greninja said quietly.

"I wasn't going to let her keep talking to you like that," Hawlucha replied, stroking the top of his head affectionately. "You're...you're a great friend, Greninja. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about who you are."

"I know," Greninja agreed.

"Good," Hawlucha murmured. "Oh, and Greninja?"

"Yes?" Greninja asked, looking at his friend.

Hawlucha nuzzled Greninja gently before resting his head against his. "Welcome home."