Twigs 'n' Frubbles

A Fennekin x Froakie One-shot Series

#2: The Loser

"Fennekin, use Flamethrower!" Serena commanded.

Fennekin nodded before firing a stream of flames from her mouth at her latest opponent, a Purrloin.

"Dodge it with Double Team!" ordered Purrloin's trainer, a black-haired girl in a purple sundress named Eileen.

Purrloin fulfilled Eileen's request and projected several versions of itself before Serena and Fennekin's eyes. The flamethrower hit one of Purrloin's projections and it dissipated. Serena looked nervous, but not as much as Fennekin, who fearfully awaited Serena's next command.

"Serena!" Ash called from the sideline, "Give Fennekin a command!"

Froakie, outside of his Pokéball, was watching the battle intently.

"R-right!" Serena snapped back into reality, "Fennekin, use Scratch on all of the Purrloins!"

In response, Fennekin leaped into the air and her claws glowed white. She struck as many projections as she could, causing them to dissipate. No luck. The true Purrloin is still at large. A bead of sweat ran down the terrified Fennekin's head.

"Finish this with Night Slash!" Eileen ordered.

Behind Fennekin, Purrloin appeared and its claws glowed a crimson color. It was a direct hit. The Devious Pokémon slashed her, causing the Fire-type rocketing to the ground with an explosion of dust.

"Fennekin!" cried a horrified Serena.

The area cleared up, revealing a lifeless Fennekin covered in scratches and dirt.

"Fennekin is unable to battle." Clemont, who refereed the match, reluctantly announced, "The match goes to Eileen and her Purrloin".

Ash exchanged disappointed looks with Pikachu, Bonnie, and Dedenne, while Purrloin eagerly rejoined her trainer.

"Amazing job, Purrloin." Eileen stroked her Pokémon affectionately, "You're one of a kind."

Purrloin purred at the comment.

Serena approached Fennekin, who was struggling onto her paws. She gently lifted the Fox Pokémon off the ground. Fennekin looked at Serena, ashamed by her quick defeat.

"My poor Fennekin." Serena brushed the dirt off her fur, "It's alright. We'll do better next time."

Fennekin smiled at her weakly.

"If there is a next time!" Eileen gloated.

"Excuse me?" Serena replied, offended.

"That battle didn't even last a minute." Eileen laughed, "Do you really know what it takes to be a trainer?"

Serena did not respond, as she only continued to glare at her.

"Didn't think so." Eileen turned her back to the group with Purrloin on her shoulder, "If you don't mind, I'll be leaving. I don't have time to battle losers like you and your little fire fox there."

Those words hit Serena and Fennekin like bullets.

"And so shouldn't anyone. Ta-ta, now." Eileen left.

"Unbelievable." Clemont shook his head in disgust.

"She was pleasant." Ash commented sarcastically.

"She was RUDE!" Bonnie growled.

Dedenne became afraid of Bonnie' anger and hid itself in her yellow bag.

"Are you alright, Serena?" Bonnie approached her cautiously.

"I'll be fine, Bonnie." Serena sniffled.

"What about Fennekin?" Bonnie glanced at the Fire-type.

Serena looked down at Fennekin, who buried her face into her chest, apparently devastated by Eileen's comment.

"I'm not so sure." She replied with concern, "Let's just find the nearest Pokémon Center and call it a day."

Serena started down the path without another word. Bonnie followed seconds later. Ash, Pikachu, and Clemont exchanged looks and agreed to follow too.

Froakie was behind them. The Bubble Frog Pokémon stopped to glare at Eileen in the distance with pure hatred, before continuing onward.

"How dare she say that to Fenney." The Water-type thought.

It was a quiet walk, but the group eventually made it to a Pokémon Center and rented out a room with two bunk beds and outdoor balcony.

"I get top bunk, I get top bunk!" Bonnie chanted after kicking off her shoes and playfully climbing the bunk bed like a Mankey.

Ash and Clemont worked together to spread a quilt for their Pokémon to relax on. Ash released Fletchinder and Hawlucha, while Clemont released Chespin, Bunnelby, and Luxio, and Serena released her newly caught Pancham with sunglasses. Pikachu, Froakie, and Dedenne joined the group of Pokémon while Fennekin remained alone in the corner of the room.

"Dinner time!" Clemont handed each Pokémon a bowl of food.

He, Ash, Serena, and Bonnie opened their Darumaka boxed lunches that they purchased in the lobby and began eating. After swallowing a handful of food pellets, Chespin happened to notice Fennekin walking from the corner out onto the balcony.

"What's the matter with Fennekin?" Chespin asked.

"She lost a battle today." Pikachu explained.

"She wouldn't be feeling so bad if the trainer didn't call her and Serena a 'loser.'" Froakie muttered.

"That's just mean." Chespin continued to eat.

Beside Serena's feet was a lone bowl of Pokémon food. The only Pokémon who was not eating was Fennekin.

"Serena, isn't Fennekin hungry?" Bonnie asked after swallowing a mouthful of her sandwich.

"Not right now, I tried to give her the bowl, but she refused it." Serena said, "I'll wait until she feels better, which I hope is soon. My poor Fennekin…"

"A goodnight's sleep should help her forget about Eileen." Clemont assured.

"Definitely, that girl is just not worth it." Ash stood up, "Tomorrow we can train together, that way Fennekin is sure to win next time you have a battle!"

"Really?" Serena blushed, "Thanks so much, Ash."

"Froakie, froak!" Froakie approached the group.

"What is it, Froakie?" Ash asked his Kalos starter.

"Froakie, froak. Froak, froakie!" The Water-type pointed at the lone bowl of food and at Fennekin.

"You want to cheer up, Fennekin?" Ash assumed.

"That's so nice, Froakie." Serena lit up, "Go for it!"

Froakie nodded as a way of thanks at the girl, picked up the bowl of food, and approached Fennekin outside on the balcony.

The Fox Pokémon starred at the night sky, holding back tears. She heard the sound of the bowl touching the floor and turned her head to find Froakie smiling at her.

"Froakie?" Fennekin sniffled.

"Hey, Fenney." Froakie said, "How are you feeling?"

"Awful." Fennekin replied, "You saw what happened."

"Yes, I did." Froakie looked down, "But it's okay."

"What are you talking about?!" Fennekin snapped.

Froakie jumped back a bit, he has never seen Fennekin so outraged.

"How is it at all okay that I lost and was called a loser to my face?" Fennekin cried.

Tears started to race down her face and she began to sob a little bit.

"Fenney, please don't cry." Froakie said, "So what if you lost. Ash said we can all train together. You'll get better with practice. Just see how much progress I've made. And on top of that, don't let some ignorant human talk you down."

Fennekin stared at Froakie, blinking to stop her tears.

"Before I met Ash, I was owned by several other trainers, I don't know if you knew that. Professor Sycamore thought I left them because they didn't meet my expectations. Nope. It was because every time I lost a battle, they went out of their way to make me feel bad myself."

"Froakie…" Fennekin cooed.

"That's no way for a Pokémon to grow." Froakie shook his head, "So I said 'bye-bye.' They didn't deserve a Pokémon like me, but now I realize that they got the best of me because I quit on them. I don't want you make the same mistake."

"What are you saying exactly?" Fennekin wiped her tears with her paw.

"What I'm saying is," Froakie cleared his throat, "If you let these insults put you down, you will never have the will the get stronger. Don't quit. Ignore them. Don't believe them for one second, because Serena couldn't ask for a better Pokémon like you. Put all this behind you, and train with us. Train with me. You'll be a strong battler in no time."

"You really think so?" Fennekin asked, her eyes glimmering.

"I know so." Froakie smiled.

Fennekin was overwhelmed with joy by Froakie's words. She began to cry again, but this time of pure happiness.

"Fenney, no. Please stop crying." Froakie said.

"D-don't worry, Froakie." Fennekin shook her head, "They're tears of joy. Can't you see I'm happy again?"

"Do you think you can stay that way for now on?" Froakie smiled, "It hurts a lot to see you so devastated."

"Of course I can." Fennekin giggled, "It's all thanks to you. I couldn't ask for a better friend like you, Froakie."

Froakie only chuckled. A blush creeped onto his face after she said that.

"I also look forward to training together. It should be a lot of fun."

"Same here." Froakie nodded, "Now that you're feeling better, how about you eat something. Join me and the others for dinner. I'm sure everyone will want to know you're doing okay."

"Yeah, alright." Fennekin smiled.

"Here, I'll help you." Froakie lifted the her food bowl and politely led Fennekin back inside.

"I say, what a gentleMON." Fennekin said with a blush.

Froakie started to laugh, as did Fennekin, relieved that Froakie caught the pun.