Company (Pokemon Short)

Boys

Rain pounded the forest; the moon couldn't be seen through the impenetrable storm. Trees creaked as they bent in the wind: watery droplets lashed the ground and through it all Aaron waited. He sat by the entrance to his den, just out of the storm, he watched with a solemn look.

Finally, after hours of waiting Jolteon saw what he'd been waiting for, or rather, who. A long body dashed through the forest. Running quickly Dwindle took cover in the den, she laughed as she shook herself dry. The water splashed all over Aaron; the shower only served to worsen the Jolteon's mood. Dwindle didn't acknowledge her father as she walked deeper into their den.

"Where have you been?" Aaron asked.

"Out with friends," Dwindle answered. "Dad it's freezing in here." Lighting the flames on her back Dwindle breathed a small flame, birthing a fire to warm the damp den.

"Out with friends... in this?"

"Yeah, it was a riot."

"A riot? Well I'm glad you had fun: I'm so glad I was worried for nothing."

Realisation dawned on Dwindle as she understood what he was saying. "Oh." Rolling onto her back she stretched herself out by the fire. "Sorry."

"Wow. That was a good apology, truly. So sincere," Aaron said sarcastically.

Dwindle sighed. "Look I'm sorry okay. I lost track of time."

Aaron had heard enough. "Lost of track of time? Dwindle do you see that storm? It's massive! What were you thinking?!"

"I wasn't thinking! There, is that what you wanted to hear?"

"No! What I want to hear is what were you doing? What could possibly be so interesting that you stayed out in that?" Aaron shouted whilst gesturing at the storm.

Dwindle groaned. "Fine, I was with Zach."

"Zach? Who's Zach? Where do I know that name from?"

"Chill out. He's just some guy I know."

"What Pokémon is he?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"Because if he's the Pokémon I think he is I'm going to make him regret stepping foot in my forest!"

Dwindle was taken aback. She looked strangely at her dad, as if seeing him for the first time.

"In that case maybe I shouldn't tell you."

"Dwindle, if he were a good Pokémon you would tell me who he is right now, but you doubt his integrity which is why you refuse to say anything. Am I wrong?"

Aaron hated to do this, but he had to know.

Dwindle looked fearfully at her dad. Her mind raced. She took the bait. "N-No! I mean yes! Yes, you're wrong, but no, I don't doubt him."

Aaron got in Dwindle's face. "Then tell me. Who is Zach?"

Dwindle was scared. "He... he's a Breloom."

A look of anger and recognition crossed Aaron's face. Moving away from his daughter Jolteon walked towards the exit of his den. "Stay here. I'll be back soon."

Dwindle was quick to her feet. "What're you doing? Where're you going?"

"Stay here."

"No!"

Aaron sighed and stopped walking. Dwindle breathed heavily, he was listening, if she could convince him that Zach was a good guy then maybe he'd stay, and he wouldn't...

Aaron began walking again. Dwindle tried to yell, tried to run after him, she couldn't move. She'd heard about this before but never dreamed that it would be used on her: Her father's Thunder-Wave. Her paralysed body was still, but her mind was sprinting and screaming, it was useless. She could only watch as the Jolteon's silhouette faded into darkness as he was swallowed by the storm.

*****

"You must be stupid to come back here." Aaron said.

Zachary Breloom turned to face the one speaking to him. Zach smiled. "Aaron! It's been so very long, but not long enough. I was hoping you'd be dead by now. Seriously how old are you?"

"I'm still young enough to teach you a thing or two."

"Oh, big words, but can you back them up? When was the last time we fought? Was it when I mistook you for a girl? I can't imagine the humiliation. A proud young Eevee suddenly being hit on by a younger Breloom. But no, I think the last time we fought was after..."

"How dare you."

"I saw an opportunity and I took it. You can hardly blame me."

"Oh, but I do. I won't let you near my daughter."

Zach laughed. "Oh? You mean the Quilava, Dwindle? You mean the one who complains about her annoying father? You mean the one who wishes she was adopted by someone else: anybody else! You mean the one who doesn't know what love is because her precious dad never told her? Face it, Aaron, you've lost her. She's gone."

Amidst the pouring rain it was impossible to see the single tear which fell from Aaron's eye. "If hating me is the cost of keeping her from loving you, so be it."

"Let's dance."

Zach's Mach Punch was a blur; it struck Aaron brutally across the cheek. Aaron didn't have time to recover, the Breloom's Rock Slide rained down from above. Large boulders crashed onto the Jolteon's body and pinned him down. Zach's maniacal laughter rang out as he launched a Seed Bomb. The attack exploded upon impact. When the smoke cleared Aaron lay on the ground; his sleek body was covered in cuts and bruises: his clean fur was matted with rain, dirt and blood.

"You're old Aaron, you can't win this one."

Aaron struggled to his feet. He spat a glob of blood from his mouth. "Another day... Another round."

Aaron roared, thunder crashed down throughout the forest and the victor was decided after that one attack.

"You ever come back here, I won't hesitate... to kill you."

Zach whimpered helplessly beneath Aaron. Aaron sighed, he left the crying Breloom in the storm and headed for home. It had been a long time since he'd fought, maybe Zach was right, he was getting old.