Chapter III: Blaziken's Dying Wish

It was near dawn, and the weary traveling team of Staraptor, Treecko, Weavile, and Ampharos were near exhausted. It was sad, being forced to leave behind their partner, Floatzel. But then again what other choice did they have? Gallade couldn't possibly protect the family himself, but why did Floatzel volunteer to stay?

It didn't make sense. Regardless, it was his choice not theirs. Besides, someone needed to help Gallade take care of Mary, John, and Angel.

"I can't believe it… He's caught again?" asked Staraptor, whom was near livid.

Mewtwo sighed, insecure of his reply, "The best thing to do at this point is to keep on track. If you see any humans, stay away from them. Don't intervene. I have a plan for his escape, in which I will tell him when the time is right."

"Okay, then. When will that time be then?" asked Staraptor.

"There's no real indication of when that time will be, but I promise it will be very soon. I'm estimating he should be out of the complex within the next month or so."

Treecko gasped, "A month!? Why a month?"

"Because there is not a lot of time to discuss the plan with him."

The group stood in silence, all wondering the same thing.

"Is there anything we can do?" asked Ampharos.

"Besides not doing anything? No. Just stay put, he'll be fine in the meantime," replied Mewtwo.

The group was woeful, but they were confident in the ability of their trainer. They knew he would be fine.

Ampharos dropped the satchel carrying their assortment of berries and water and opened it, "Thanks Mewtwo."

"My pleasure. Travel safely."

"Will do," Staraptor replied.

And with that, there was a lingering silence throughout the group, which Treecko was quick to break, "So… What do we do? Are we gonna save him?"

Staraptor smiled at their naïve, young companion, "Like he said, Treecko. We can't do anything, just stay put until he gets out."

Ampharos passed around piles of berries to each of them along with an individual apple.

"Thank you… Umm…" Treecko sighed.

After their meal, Treecko could do was sigh. It seemed that she could never get her trainer back. Every turn there was just more danger for him. She promised herself she wouldn't cry again, but the times were getting tough.

Maybe just one… Tear?

Treecko's breaths became heavy sighs as she held the tears back. It was that moment that she felt Staraptor wrap a wing around her.

"Hey, he'll be fine. Damian's gone through a lot. This is just another hiccup in his life."

She couldn't hold it anymore, one by one her tears fell, "I just want him back. I… I don't want him to be a Pokemon! How's he gonna take care of us if he's a Riolu? He's being stupid wanting to be a Pokemon forever!"

Weavile snarled, "Hey! Don't say that about-"

"Don't yell at her, Weavile!" Staraptor snapped.

"Who is she to say Damian can't decide for himself?"

"Ohh screw off, Weavile! We all know this whole staying a Pokemon thing is ridiculous. But regardless, like Absol said, it's not our decision to make. It's his. Now just…" Staraptor sighed, gathering her thoughts, "let's end this conversation okay?"

"Alright," Weavile replied.

It wasn't long before Ampharos decided to jump in, "Look not to stir things up but… I know why he likes being like this."

The groups eyes widened.

"He feels closer to us than ever before. I mean sure, he would feed us everyday, clean us, tend to our wounds. But those were his responsibilities as a trainer. This is an experience like no other. Before, he didn't have much. And don't take this the wrong way but we all knew what was going to happen if he didn't pass this semester in college. He'd be at some dead end job wondering what the hell happened."

"What I'm trying to say is this. I honestly like this new Damian, and I think you should too."

The four of them stared at each other.

"I'm sorry…" Treecko muttered.

"Don't be. We all have our opinions," Ampharos replied, "and I'm not saying that I'm happy he's this way. I'm just saying if he's happy then I'm happy. And you should too. If he wants to be a Pokemon, so be it. I'd love him if he were a Magikarp."

Treecko couldn't help but giggle.

Staraptor sighed, "But it's not about loving him is it? We all love him, we just want what's best for him. At least I do. And I don't think being a Pokemon is he best-"

"Staraptor, who are we to say what Damian can and can't do? We're nothing but a couple of friends. And his parents can't tell him otherwise, as far as I'm concerned they don't share the same genes anymore. We are not his boss, he's at liberty to do whatever the hell he wants to! And maybe… Maybe that's what he wants? He wants some freedom."

Staraptor was becoming quite frustrated by the topic, "I'm sorry."

"Blaziken wouldn't want us to fight. He'd want us to stay as a team. I… I still…" Ampharos found the words harder and harder to come by, "I'm not giving up on Damian. If Blaziken wouldn't then I won't either."

There was a silence between them, the only sounds being of the wind blowing through the trees and chatter of nearby wild Pokemon.

"Now let's just drop this whole thing, alright? We should keep moving. Maybe we can find a cave to sleep in somewhere of we move fast enough."

The group agreed with their companions leadership. And with a confirming nod, the conversation went from Damian to Treecko rambling on again about why she believes shiny Pokemon ACTUALLY exist