Company (Pokemon Short)

Goodbye

"Wow, really?"

"That's right!" Ally giggled as she poked her twin sister Ellie. "Ellie's gonna stay home a little longer, but I'm moving out! I think I'll stay here in this forest for a while, but I also wanna explore."

"That's so cool!" Dwindle exclaimed.

Ellie chuckled nervously. "Yeah, Ally's always been the adventurous one. I'm going to live with mum and dad a little longer."

"No shame in that Els, take your time!" Ally patted her sister on the back.

Dwindle and the two Pikachu stood by the lake. Chatting happily, they discussed their futures. Dwindle laughed at the Pikachu sisters: They were twins and looked so similar they had to wear flowers just so Pokémon could tell them apart. Ally always wore a purple flower by her right ear, Ellie wore a blue flower by her left ear.

"Dwindle! Earth to Dwindle?" Ally waved her paw in front of Dwindle's face.

"Oh, sorry girls. I was just thinking."

"About leaving?" asked Ellie.

"Yeah Dwindle, when are you gonna leave?" questioned Ally.

Dwindle blinked blankly. "Leave? I've... I've never really thought about it. I suppose, I do want to explore and see the world but... I don't know."

"Well you should talk to your dad about it!" Ally exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, he's cool. Our parents say he's really strong and that he travelled the world when he was younger." Ellie said in admiration.

"Really? I didn't know that..." Dwindle watched the lake as she thought. She slowly stood and stretched. "I'm off. See you tomorrow girls!"

"Bye Dwindle!"

"See ya Dwiny!"

Quilava waved goodbye as she walked from the lake towards home. It didn't take her long to arrive at the familiar den. Dwindle sighed as she walked in, she lay on her bed and looked around. She lost herself in thought, remembering all that had happened, this was her home, could she really leave?

Aaron walked into his den dragging a large leaf piled with berries. He dropped the leaf in the centre of the den. "Good timing Dwin, dinner's ready."

Dwindle lay on her back and stared at the ceiling, she didn't say anything, and she didn't move. Aaron tilted his head in confusion.

"Dwindle? Aren't you hungry? You're always hungry."

She chuckled. "Yeah... I'm hungry."

Dwindle grunted as she rolled over and got up. Seating herself by the berries she picked one up and started nibbling on it. Aaron watched his daughter with mild concern.

"Dwindle what's wrong?"

Dwindle sighed and put her berry down. "Nothing, I was just talking with Ally and Ellie."

"Oh, how're they?"

"Good... They're leaving home soon."

The penny dropped.

"Oh... and... would you like to leave?"

"I don't know. I don't want to stay here my whole life, I want to go out, see the world. I wanna explore and really live, but..."

Aaron smiled gently, he understood perfectly. "Dwindle, you don't have to go. Stay here a while longer if you like or leave tomorrow if you wish. Whatever you want, it's up to you. Just know, I'll support you whatever you choose, and I'll always love you, no matter what."

"Thanks dad."

Dwindle hugged her dad, he held her tight. After a while they returned to their meal, eating and laughing like old times. One day Dwindle might leave but for now they would enjoy what they had.

*****

"This is it then." Said Dwindle.

Martha laughed and wrapped her large wings around the Quilava. "Goodbye Dwindle, do take care."

Dwindle laughed as she returned the hug. "I will Martha."

Breaking the hug Dwindle turned from the Noctowl to face her Father. Aaron stood with a sad smile on his face. "Make sure to visit your Aunt May and tell her I said hi."

Dwindle laughed. "Okay, but she'll probably complain that you didn't come to see her yourself."

Aaron shook his head sadly. "This is your journey, I can't come."

Dwindle had been holding it in but now it all came pouring out. She burst into tears and sobbed as she nuzzled her father. As excited as she was, she was terrified.

"Wh-what if... What if something happens?"

For the first time since Dwindle had met him she saw tears glistening in his eyes. His voice shook, and his words were choked by sobs.

"Dwindle, you're going on an adventure, something is bound to happen, but I know you'll tackle it head-on and come out the other side. You always do."

"What if I can't do it?"

"Can't do it? What is 'it'?! Nothing is certain. All you can do is try and when you do, it'll all be okay, I'm certain of that. I'm so proud of you."

"What if I can't find my way home?"

"Oh please!" Aaron said loudly before bursting into tears. "Dwindle look at me." She did as she was told and looked him in the eye. "What reason would you have to come home? I live in your heart, don't I? Dwindle, whenever you want to turn around, whenever you want to give up and come home just remember that I'm thinking of you: I'm wondering how you've been and where you are. You never leave my mind and I will always love you."

Dwindle uttered a choked laugh. "There may be one reason to come home."

"And what's that?"

"Won't you want to meet your grandkids?"

Aaron chuckled as he kissed her on the forehead. "No boys."

Dwindle laughed. "Goodbye dad." She turned and walked through the forest: away from the lake, away from her home, away from him.

"Dwindle!" She turned as he called her name. "If you ever get lost look to the sky and follow your stars. They'll get you there."

Dwindle smiled sadly and nodded. Aaron watched with a heavy heart as his daughter left. Damn he would miss her and to think; he'd once considered her a nuisance.