The True Meaning of Friendship

A Pokemon in Need

"It talks?!" I said, falling backwards.

The pink Pokémon floated into my house. "Of course we can talk, but you're only one of a few who can understand us." Its blue eyes sparkled in amusement.

"I-i didn't know." I whispered. "Everyone's afraid of me. I don't know why." Why am I telling this Pokemon my deepest fears? I barely even know it!

"Everyone is afraid of you because you're so mean." The small Pokémon said. "They know about your secret. They fear that you'll use it against them. Sorrel-Mintha-Rosemary, you need to think of other and not just yourself."

 It knows my full name! "Hey, wait a minute. Did you come all this way to tell me that? And who are you anyway?"

"Oops, how rude of me. My name is Mew, and I'm from the Pokepark." The Pokémon introduced itself. "I need your help. The Pokepark is in danger. You and the Pokémon with a lightning tail will save us. The Sky Prism foretold it."

"Sky Prism? Pokepark? Lightning tail?" Mew probably means a Pikachu.

"I can't explain the Pokepark to you, you'll just have to see it yourself." Mew said, floating around. "As for the Sky Prism, it's a giant gem, powered by friendship, that protects the Pokepark. Some time ago, it broke apart from the hatred from the Pokepark. If we don't get it fixed the Sky Prism will crash into the Pokepark and kill all of the Pokémon that live there."

"And why are you coming to me?" I asked.  "Why not ask any of the other Pokémon from the Pokepark?"

Mew put a small hand on its forehead. "Did you not hear? The Sky Prism told me to come get you. There is no Pokémon that can freely change with no limits like how you can. Not even Ditto."

"But you said that this Sky Prism is powered by friendship." I countered. "And didn't you just say I was mean? How can I do anything to change anything?"

"Would you please quit complaining?" Mew asked. "I just need you to come to the Pokepark. I already brought Pikachu and his friends there."

"And why should I care?" I pressed. I loved getting on Mew's nerves. "I'm fine right here."

"Really?" Mew inquired. "I can play this game too."

"Prove it." I said. "But I'm still fine with being here."

"Fine? In a place where your hated? Despised? Treated like an outcast? Feared more than any crime organization?" Mew was not holding back. "Thrown out for your special skills? Crushed because of your gift? Enjoying making others feel the same way they made you feel. Living on the streets. In a mound of trash that break apart with the smallest gust. That drenches you with the tiniest rain storm. Which freezes you every winter and scorches you every summer. A place where you smell, look, eat, and act like trash. And you know what? Maybe you are trash, cannibal. And you're really fine with this place?" I was speechless. That was cold, coming from a pink Pokémon with blue eyes that looks like it could never do anything wrong. "If you came to the Pokepark, you'd have a clean slate. Starting over. Now I can't promise that the Pokepark will be any better. Times are rough, and your have to change your attitude quite a bit, but there's still a chance."

"I-" I stammered.

"If you want to go to the Pokepark, meet me at the fountain. And if you really want to, I could bring you back here. It's your choice, SMR." The tiny Pokémon left without another word.

I sat there for a while. "What do I do?" I begged. I pulled out the note, reading it aloud. "You should just leave the town, you idiotic jerk! No one cares about you. You poison the air and torment us with your sight. If you left, everyone would be happier. Even you. I know it sound harsh, but it's true. I see the way they treat you. You don't deserve that. No one does. If I could bring you to a place where you could start over and people would accept you, I would bring you there even if it meant me never coming back here. I rather spend eternity with you than spend my childhood with these jerks." I tried to stop my tears. "He understands... I don't even know his name..." I got up and ripped part of the blank section off. I stuffed the note into my pocket. I saw another paper airplane fly down outside. I picked it up, putting it with the other note in my pocket. I quickly wrote on the blank piece. "Thank you for the note. I'm starting over today. Don't worry if I never come back. That just means my new home accepts me and my skills. SMR" Crumpling it into a ball, I pitched the note into his window. I waited for him to come out. I felt horrible about the window.

He stuck his head out the window. "Did you read my other note?" I shook my head. "Where are you going?"

"To the Pokepark." I said.

"Will I see you again?"

 I don't know... He's my only friend, but I might never come back. I thought. My voice on the other hand decided to continue on. "Of course."

I could tell that he was crying again. He put his hand to his head as though to salute me. "Until then."

I copied him. "Until then." We both raised our arms up and away. I transformed into a Purrloin, my clothes becoming a scarf around my neck with the letters SMR embroidered on it. He whispered something, but I couldn't hear him. I raced out towards the fountain. Don't worry, boy, I'll see you again. I promise.