Welcome to the third chapter! Thanks to those who read this far! Enjoy!
Cassandra padded back into the clearing, carrying two apples in her mouth, to find Bright not laying the clearing like before.
Where'd she go? She wouldn't leave, would she? She's still pretty weak.
Cassandra set down the apples and looked in her den, a small cave dug into a hillside. Bright wasn't in there, though the pile of moss, leaves and ferns looked like someone had slept in it recently. Cassandra bounded out of her den, leaping over the small central fire pit in the process.
Think; where could she have gone?
The Vulpix gazed around, searching for the tawny brown and cream of Eevee fur.
I think I know where she went.
Cassandra trotted into her berry den. Sure enough, Bright was in there, her mouth stained red and strawberry stems and apple cores littered the cave floor. Bright looked up as Cassandra walked in, eyes flashing guiltily.
"Sorry," she said. "I got hungry. I only ate your strawberries and apples. No Oran berries or anything with special properties. Cassandra smiled.
"It's okay. I don't mind." Cassandra turned to leave.
"Thank you," Bright whispered. "For healing me. I would be dead if it weren't for you."
"Well, I wouldn't leave you wounded," Cassandra said turning back.
"I suppose you deserve to know what happened." Bright said softly.
"I'll admit, I'd like to know, but you don't have to tell me."
"Okay. So, I grew up with a group of Pokemon and my family..." Bright began.
"... And then I crawled into this clearing, where you came along shortly and healed me," the Eevee concluded, tears streaking down her face.
"That's awful. I know what it's like to lose parents- mine left one day and never returned- but to lose a sibling... I can only give sympathy and not understandwhat you're going through. I'm so sorry."
"I'll miss them forever, but eventually the pain will dull into an ache. I'll get through it someday." The Vulpix nodded, just as a friendly voice called from outside of the den.
"Hey, Cassandra! I'm here for practice!" Cassandra smiled.
"Come on, there's someone I want you to meet," the Vulpix said to Bright, getting to her paws. Bright looked a bit causious.
"It's okay; he's a friend. Come on." Cassandra nugded to reluctant Pokemon to her own feet, and together they padded from the gloom of the den into the light of day. A Treecko stood outside, a grin on his face and anticipation sparking in his eyes.
"Who's this? A new training partner?" The Treecko asked. Cassandra shook her head.
"This is Bright. Bright, this is my friend Blade. Bright was attacked and is staying for a bit," Cassandra told the Treecko, Blade.
"Attacked?" He asked, astonished. "Didn't you defend yourself?" Bright hung her head.
"I don't know any moves; nobody thought I would need them." She whispered.
"Well, we need to fix that," Blade announced. "Training can wait." Blade walked over, guiding Bright to a sandy spot in the clearing. "Okay," Blade said as he reached the opposite side and turned to face Bright. "Try to Tackle me; just run up as fast as possible and head-butt me."
"I'll referee," Cassandra volunteered, sitting at the edge if the sandy patch. "And be careful with her, Blade! She 'a still pretty weak." the Treecko nodded in response, readying himself for Bright's attempt at a Tackle.
Bright closed her eyes, then rushed at Blade, head pointed down. The Treecko got into a defensive stance, waiting until Bright got close, then dodged just as she would've hit him. Bright, after Blade dodged, scuffled to a stop, kicking up sand and dust.
"Well, I believe that takes care of Sand -Attack and Tackle," Blade laughed. Cassandra couldn't help but giggle, and Bright just shook the dust off.
"Okay, now let's try..."
The practice continued to about an hour, resulting in Blade remarkably out of breath- the Treecko talked a lot- and Bright learning Sand-Attack, Tackle, Bite, , and .
"I believe I'll call it a day," Blade puffed, tired from repeatedly dodging Bright's attacks. "I'll come back in a day or two; keep working with her, Cassandra."
"Bye!" The two Pokemon called as the Treecko walked into the forest, waving as he went.
Cassandra walked over to Bright, who was panting with a proud look in her eyes.
"Did I do well?" She asked.
"Yes, very well. You were very fast; kept Blade on his toes." Bright nodded.
"I don't want to hurt anyone; I guess I'll have to if I get attacked again. It was nice of Blade to teach me."
"He's a good fighter; we've practicing together for a long time now."
"Do you practice often?" Bright asked.
"Yep. You never know when some Trainer will wander into the woods and try to catch you." Bright nodded again.
"Do you always practice with Blade?" Cassandra shook her head.
"I have a few regular Pokemon I train with, and every so often someone will come challenging me to a battle. I usually always win; some defeat me. I always heal the challengers of any injuries I inflicted, my friends too. I have a surplus of Oran and Rawst Berries."
"Smart thinking. I really want to find out who attacked my group; it was unprovoked. And unfair. We all believed in peace; most didn't know any attacks. We would've stood a better chance if we were able to defend ourselves." Cassandra's stomach rumbled, and she blushed slightly.
"Sorry; I haven't eaten all day."
"By all means, go do so." Cassandra turned and padded to where those two apples she had picked earlier sat. Crouching down, she took a bite if one relishing it's sweet flavor.
Bright the Eevee's POV
Bright watched Cassandra walk off, the turned around to look at the surrounding woodland. It was quiet, peaceful, birds chirping and sunlight filtering through leaves.
It reminds me so much of home... Bright chocked back a sob.
I don't know if I can go back, and even if I do, will there be anyone there? Maybe I should just stay with Cassandra. She's kind, willing to be there for me. And she hardly knows me! I bet she would help me find the attackers if I asked.
Bright turned back Cassandra. The Vulpix had finished her first apple and was happily eating her second.
She wouldn't mind me staying, I wouldn't mind staying. I could stay and make new friends, learn battle moves and play-fight. It's what Cassandra does; look how happy she is.
Yet I also want my old friends, my old home, and my family, even though I won't get to talk to them again. A tear dripped down Bright's face.
What will I do? another option would be to start a group of my own and lead them against the attackers for revenge. But I don't like that plan, and probably wouldn't stand a chance.
What WILL I so? So many choices, which one is right? Which will make me and others happy?
Blade the Treecko was sent in by XtremeBlaze. If you want a character, please send some in via PM! Fire Pokemon are strongly encouraged for reasons I cannot tell you. It's more me to know and you to find out, which you will!
If you have any advice or spotted any errors, please tell me so I can make this story better.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!
