Company (Pokemon Short)

Reconciliation

Dwindle lay by the entrance to the den, she watched the storm go by. The occasional raindrop found its way onto her nose, she didn't care. Aaron lay sleeping by the fire. Dwindle was tired, but she couldn't sleep. He'd chased her friend out of the forest, he'd threatened and attacked him and now... now she would be the one: The one that people avoided and judged. she would be the one that they'd whisper about, all because of that stupid Jolteon. She hated him.

Dwindle didn't know how long she lay there, but the storm slowly died down, and the morning sun poked through the foliage of leafy trees. Stewing her rage, Dwindle's anger towards Aaron continued to grow. She didn't notice him walk up behind her. He placed down a berry, she eyed it with a sidelong glance.

"You seriously think a Rawst berry can fix this?"

"I know it can't. I just hope it'll make you hate me a little less."

"Don't hold your breath. Or do. I don't really care if you die."

"Dwin... Please believe me, I was only looking out for you."

Dwindle's anger exploded, she stood up and faced Aaron. "I never asked you to do that!"

"It's my job!"

"No, it's not! You're not my dad!"

"I know that!"

A heavy silence hung in the air as they glared at each other. Aaron's face slowly softened, he frowned and sighed.

"Dwindle... I'm not your dad, but I am the only Pokémon in this forest who gives a damn about you. Kid, I'm all ya got, I'm your best-friend, I'm family. I'm not your dad; I never could be. But you are my daughter, and I love you."

Dwindle froze, she didn't know what to say. Turning she walked from the den and didn't look back. Dwindle didn't know where she was going, she just kept walking. Eventually she found herself standing by a lake, staring at her reflection in the water's crystal depths.

"Dwindle, is something the matter child?"

"Huh? Oh, hi Martha."

The old bird flew to the lake's edge and landed beside the Quilava. "Terrible storm last night."

"Yeah, huge."

"Dwindle, what's troubling you?"

Dwindle sighed sadly. Gears turned in Martha's head.

"Ah, I see. Tell me all about it."

"He attacked Zach, chased him from the forest, it was so embarrassing. He... he didn't trust me."

Martha tilted her in head. "Zach? Zachary Breloom?"

"You know him?"

Martha sighed. "Oh child, it's not you your father didn't trust. It was that damned Breloom."

"What do you mean?"

"Zachary grew up in this forest, he was friends with me, your father and your aunt. He was a kind little Shroomish, but when he evolved he changed; he was much more powerful than before, others looked up to him. He grew prideful, he began seducing females throughout the forest. He tried it on your father having mistaken him for someone else."

"Someone else?"

"Your aunt. May was a kind little Eevee, but she was naïve. She never suspected the Breloom's wickedness. Zach defiled and humiliated your aunt; wild with rage Aaron chased him from the forest. May... she was too young. That evil Breloom took advantage of her."

Dwindle was silent, tears slid down her cheek, ripples echoed across the lake's surface.

"Dwindle your father was never good with words; he was trying to protect you the only way he knew how. Go home Dwindle, see your father. Trust me, he loves you, it'll be alright."

Dwindle nodded. Tears continued streaming down her face. "Th-thanks Martha."

"Anytime dear."

Noctowl wrapped her wings around Quilava in a big hug. Martha released Dwindle and the young Pokémon returned home.