Everything In Between

IV

Illusion brushed snow off of his shoulder, "Hey Father, sorry I'm- what's going on?!"

Illusion looked up to see his father with a Zebstrika. The Pokémon had a bridle on its muzzle and there was a tall green haired man struggling with the reins. The Pokémon was rearing up, trying to pull away from the man. The man was gently trying to reason with the Pokémon, but it just wouldn't calm down.

Illusion rushed to his father's aid, grabbing the reins as well and trying to pull Zebstrika down.

"Hey buddy!" Illusion exclaimed, "It's okay!"

"Get away!," Zebstrika yelled, "I want my trainer!"

"I know," Illusion's father said gently, "But she won't be back until tomorrow. Just relax- you're safe here. I promise."

Zebstrika pulled and whinnied some more, trying to escape the mens' grips.

Illusion gritted his teeth, "Musharna!"

A Pokémon escaped from its Pokéball. It floated tiredly in the air, pink mist floating around it.

"Use Hypnosis!"

"No!"

Musharna ignored the protest of its trainer's father and used a Hypnosis attack on the Zebstrika. The scared electric type responded by charging up an electric type, shocking both Illusion and his father. He and his father dropped the reins, and Zebstrika ran off. It ran through the field and jumped all of the fences.

As Illusion and his father composed themselves, his father gave him a disapproving look.

Illusion frowned and shoved his hands in his pockets, "Stop looking at me like that..."

"You cannot just attack like that," His father said, "Any trust we had is gone."

"I'm sorry, Father..."

The taller grasshead sighed, "It's..." he sighed again, "Just...go find it."

Illusion returned his Musharna to its Pokéball. His father whistled and a Rapidash came running from the far end of the field. Snow melted underneath its feet. The fire type nuzzled Illusion's father.

"Take Rapidash," He said, "It'll be able to keep up."

"Father-"

"I know you're sorry. Go find Zebstrika." His father said, walking away.

Illusion sighed and went over to one of the barns where his father kept Pokémon. An Altaria and a Wingull sat in the rafters, a tiny Blitzle and a Zebstrika were sleeping in one of the stalls, and a Growlithe and a Lillipup were playing in a haystack.

Illusion grabbed a bridle from the wall.

"Sorry about this..." Illusion whispered, putting it on Rapidash's muzzle.

"I don't mind," Rapidash said, "Where are we going?"

Illusion attached the reins and grabbed a saddle, "I lost a Zebstrika..."

"So that's why your dad is so pissed!" A voice said, appearing in the barn doorway, "Ya know, it's rare to see him so angry!"

Illusion frowned and adjusted the saddle onto Rapidash, "Shut up, Zoroark- I know he's mad."

"He's fuming!"

Rapidash snorted, "Zoroark! He feels bad enough, already! Can't you tell?"

Zoroark tsked, "All I'm sayin' is maybe you should be more careful! Maybe you should actually listen to your dad!"

Illusion got onto Rapidash's back and grabbed the reins, "I do listen! All I ever do is listen! It's not my fault I'm not the son he wanted..."