Unforgivable Errors (Rewrite)

Forbidden Friendship

That evening, Hawlucha and Froakie were lying in their own little corner of the research lab, away from all the other Pokemon. Froakie was fast asleep, but Hawlucha was still awake and observing the little frog Pokemon silently.

There was something special about Froakie, something different about him than any other of his species. It wasn't just because he was adorable and smart. He was both those things for sure, but more than anything, he was sweet. No matter what, Hawlucha could always count on Froakie to cheer him up on a bad day. It was even more amazing considering what Froakie had been through in his short life. He had suffered more than anyone should ever have to suffer; indeed, the cards had been stacked against him since the day he was born. Despite all this, however, he was somehow still able to maintain a positive outlook on life and treated everyone kindly, provided they did the same for him. Hawlucha knew he would never have been able to do it.

Froakie turned over in his sleep, and Hawlucha's mind flashed back to a conversation they'd had, a week before Ash had arrived at the lab. The other starter Pokemon at the lab were bullying Froakie, and one of the Chespin even tried to hit him with Vine Whip before Hawlucha managed to scare him off.

"Honestly, how do you put up with that?" he'd asked, once Chespin had run away. "If I were you, I'd rip their heads off."

"I know you would, which is why I'm glad you're not me," Froakie had retorted.

"Why do you let them keep treating you like this? You deserve better than that," Hawlucha had told him.

Froakie had smiled wryly. "Believe me, I know that and you know that, but it's not as if it means anything to them."

Hawlucha had sighed. "I just don't-I hate seeing them treat you like that...and like you said, it's not getting any better..."

"I didn't say that," Froakie had replied. "I'm sure things will get better for us eventually. Besides, what good would it do if I just dwelled on the fact that everyone here besides you hates me? It's not going to make them like me and all it does in the end is make everything that much worse."

Hawlucha admired that about Froakie, his ability to brush off the abuse he suffered at the hands of the other Pokemon like it was nothing. He knew better, of course. He knew the bullying from the others did hurt, but the little frog took care not to let it show too much. Honestly, Froakie was just too good for this world. Hawlucha hoped that Ash turned out to be as kind as he had first seemed, because Froakie deserved a little happiness in his life. The poor thing had gone through more than his fair share of pain.

"I love you, Froakie," Hawlucha whispered, before turning around and falling asleep.

Although he didn't see, Froakie peeked his eyes open at Hawlucha's voice and smiled.