It had been three months. Three months since Spark saved and hatched a Pokémon egg, three months since he met Candela, and three months since his dad was called off to war. In that time plenty of things had happened. For one thing, Spark celebrated his 7th birthday. Surge and Candela nearly burnt down the kitchen trying to make a cake. Thankfully the little boy was better at baking then the two of them and they were able gather around the table while he blew out the candles. Candela got him Jolten figure to add to his collection, while his uncle got him a pokedex. But the best event by far was when Galvan called. They talked for hours while Candela interrogated Surge about being a gym leader. The latter conversation wasn't quite as cheerful. The fiery girl exhausted Surge.

Another noticeable difference was Galvan's old place of work. The research center had been temporarily shut down, due to the lack of personnel. The only person Spark ever saw was Professor Willow, but even he seemed to be out of town more than usual. It was a sad sight for the little boy to walk by and see the place empty. For as long as he could remember it was full of life and excitement. Spark was learning very quickly how fast things could change. And so far, nothing seemed good about this change.

For his part, Spark tried to stay positive. After all, things had always worked out before. And worrying just made him anxious. That was not a feeling he liked having.

Fluffy was a great distraction for all of them. What the Eevee lacked in size, it made up for in personality. Fluffy made sure everyone knew that Spark was his human. He never left the little boy's side when they went out and about; and more often than not he would perch on Spark's shoulders and ride along wherever they went. But once you got him to play, he wouldn't stop for hours. It almost seemed like Fluffy never tired, going hour after hour running around and playing with his human or the other human (Candela) until both were spent. His little batteries never ran out.

Today however, Spark sat inside by the telephone. Waiting very impatiently for a call from his father. Fluffy was curled up on the couch next to him wide awake, his tail twitching. Surge sat at the table with a newspaper in front of him. Every once and a while he'd grunt, mumble something along the lines of 'idiots' and them turn the page. Spark noticed that he always had such a serious look on his face during these times, but really it just made him giggle. Seriousness just seemed like so much work.

Spark jumped as the phone rang. He picked it up immediately. "Hello?"

"Sparkster! How you doing, buddy?" his dad's voice came over the line.

"Hey dad! I'm good, how are you? Oh and Sai! How's Sai?"

"He's good, not as lazy as you remember." Spark giggled at that. "I'm telling you, our friend is quite the partner. Everyone who's met him asks how long I've had him. When I telling them it's been a few months they can't believe it."

"Hehe, yeah I bet. I can't wait to see him! You too, dad. Do you know when you're gonna be back?"

"Not yet, buddy. But things are getting better. If things keep up like this, I'll be home before winter."

Spark sat up. "Really?"

"Really. Just keep rooting for your dad, alright?"

"Okay!"

"Hey, let me talk to your uncle for a bit."

"But I want to tell you about what happened yesterday!" he whined.

"Don't worry, I've got plenty of time today. I just got to tell him something before I forget. Then we can talk for as long as you want." He reassured. Spark agreed and ran over to give the phone to Surge. Just then, Fluffy pawed at the door. He was clearly was bored and wanted to play. Spark and Fluffy went outside to run around while the grownups were talking. As soon as the door shut, Surge lifted the phone to his ear.

"How's it going, little brother?" he asked. Galvan sighed, dropping the happier tone he had with Spark.

"Honestly? Things have been… rough." He sounded tired, in more ways than one.

"Just wait till your there for a few years. Then rough will seem like a vacation."

"Do you really think it'll be that long? I mean, things are bad but there's chance, I mean things could change-"

"Things are always changing. Whether it's good or bad depends on how hard we fight for it." It was quite for a little while after that. Surge's words took a little time to sink in. "You still there?"

"Y-yeah. Just… I don't know. I honestly never thought I'd be out here again." Surge flinched. His little brother sounded so different. So strange. "I just don't get it, Surge. These people, the ones were fighting, I just don't understand why they're doing this."

"They want to control the region- all the regions and take every strong Pokémon under the sun and use them. Like they're nothing but tools."

"I know all that. I just don't understand why. Hmph, guess I'm really showing my age here." He laughed dryly.

"Still just a dumb kid."

"Ouch, that's harsh big bro. Also, people here still talk about you. You made some crazy impressions."

"Crazy good. What can I say, I'm just that kind of guy." He smirked.

"Yeah, I'm not going touch that one. Anyway, Spark's good? Like actually doing alright?"

"Yeah he's fine. Gets down in the dumps every once and a while, but that little friend of his cheers him up pretty quickly. And the Eevee. That thing is so damn small, I swear I'm going to step on it."

Galvan chuckled. "Yeah, I didn't want to say anything to Spark, but Fluffy is kind of small. At least he's doing alright. I can't tell you how much I worry- huh? Hey hang on a sec… there's something going on."

Surge squirmed in his seat, not liking the silence. There were some muffed voices on the other end, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. Galvan must have covered the receiver.

"Surge?" his voice came back.

"Yeah?"

"Look I got to go. One of our guard towers hasn't checked in in a few hours, they want to send a few of us out to check on it. Can you put Spark on the phone?"

"Yeah sure." Surge pushed himself up and reached for his cane. He hobbled to the door. "Everything alright?"

"I don't know yet, but it's just a precaution. Just have to be sure."

The door swung open before Surge managed to get halfway. Candela and Spark came racing in and jumped on the couch. They were laughing so hard it looked like they might cry.

"Hey, Squirt. Your dad wants to talk to you." Surge held out the phone and let the little boy come to him. Spark jumped up and grabbed it, a big smile on his face.

"Hey dad! So yesterday me and Candel-"

"Spark- I have to go now." Galvan interrupted. Spark smile dropped instantly.

"But you said you had lots of time today."

"I know and I did but, I have to go take care of something. I'll make it up to you, alright buddy?"

"Just like you'll make it up for missing my birthday?"

"Yeah." He chuckled. "I'm going to have a whole list when I get home, huh?"

"Yep." Spark giggled.

"Looking forward to it. Talk to you later, Sparkster. Love you."

"Love you too, dad." There was a click and then, silence. Spark held the phone for a moment longer before setting it down again. Candela was quiet now, a worried look on her face. She hopped of the couch and when over to her friend.

"Spark?"

The little boy spun around and grinned. He tapped her on the shoulder and hurried to the door. "Your it!"

"What! You said no playing in the house!"

"My house, my rules!" Spark hopped down the steps and sprinted into field. Candela chased after him, shouting all the while.

A heavy rain pounded on the roof, like it had been all day. The windows would light up every so often as lightning dance across the night sky. The boom of the thunder didn't scare Spark, but it did terrify his little Pokémon friend. Spark was lying on his stomach trying to coax the little thing out from under the couch.

"C'mon, Fluffy… it's much scarier under there in the dark." He reached out and felt the soft fur graze his fingertips. "I'll make you a nice soft nest with my blanket and –and we can make a pillow fort! We can wait out the storm together, alright?"

Fluffy's eyes grew wider at this idea. After a few moments, he scooted on his belly and wiggled out from under the couch. Spark scooped him up in his arms and hurried to his room, nearly knocking over Surge in hall. Before he could be yelled at, Spark closed the door to his room. He let Fluffy climb up in his shoulder and then pulled his blanket off his bed. Construction on the pillow fort was a delicate process that Spark had never tried it on his own. Him and his dad had built them together dozens of times before, and he could very easily ask Surge for help. But what kind of kid would he be if he couldn't make it own fort?

Using his desk and chair, he draped the blanket over them and made a little tent. He stripped the sheet off next and made a nest for Fluffy under the desk. "See? Isn't this better?" he placed the Eevee on the sheet where he curled himself up in a little ball. "Now for me…" Spark went to his closet where his big winter comforter was stuffed in the back corner. It became very clear when he lay it down that he needed pillows. The few pillows on his bed weren't going to cut it. Spark headed to his door, planning on stealing everything off the couch. It barely opened a crack when an unfamiliar voice made him stop.

I was scary sounding voice, for no other reason besides it was foreign and it was kind of late at night. Those two fact never meant good things. Spark opened his door as much as he dared and listened. Surge was in the middle of talking, and he didn't sound happy.

"… don't understand, how could you let this happen?" his voice was low, almost a whisper.

"Surge, there was nothing we could do. There was just… too many."

"Then you shouldn't have sent them in there." He snapped. "This- this wasn't supposed to happen… it was only supposed to be for a year at most. This wasn't supposed to happen."

Spark opened the door wider, his curiosity begging him to find out more. The other voice was mumbling, trying to find their footing.

"I'm sorry."

"Stop saying that! Just stop…" Surge's voice waivered. "My little brother was never a fighter. It just wasn't in him… all he ever wanted to do was be a breeder… ever since we were kids." His voice snapped back into a forced whisper. " But he was loyal to you guys. His friends. What kind of friends are you to make him to go back to that place?"

"Surge I-"

"Don't say you're sorry. Not to me. Say it to the kid you just made an orphan."

Spark quickly shut the door, but it was too late. The words bounced around his head, becoming more and more clear every second. He pushed the lock on the door with a shaky hand and backed away slowly.

Like a locked door could keep the truth away.

Spark's legs shook under him and he was finding it hard to stand and even harder to breathe. His breath started coming in short little gasps. Tears began clouding his eyes as the truth of it all began tearing at his heart. Orphan?

"No… I-I just… not my daddy…" Spark's legs gave out and he slid to the floor. The tears were falling down faster than ever and he felt like he might drown.

Everywhere he looked in his room was memories that all the sudden made him feel weak. Like the t-shirt on the floor his dad got him last time he was in Celadon City. Or the Squirtle figure on his desk they waited all day in line to get. Even the lightning bolt shaped pillow sticking out of the fort held a now invaluable memory. Spark pulled his legs up to his chest and buried his head in his arms. He didn't want to look at any of it anymore. All the happy things he once knew had suddenly become painful.

"Spark?" Surge was at his door. "Can I come in squirt? There's uh- something we need to talk about." He didn't know. He didn't know that Spark had been eavesdropping. Spark stared at his door but didn't move an inch. Answering it only meant having to hear it again. Opening that door meant that this feeling, this horrible black hole that had begun to consume his heart was only going to get worse. Spark ran to the door and made sure it was locked.

Fluffy crawled out from the fort and pawed at Spark's leg. His big ears were drooping and his eyes looked sad. He squeaked softly and sat next to the door. Spark backed away from his friend, from his uncle now calling his name. It was too much. It was just too much. A flash of lightning made his head turn towards the window. Spark climbed on his bed and threw it open. He climbed out and landed on the muddy ground. Without even so much as a second thought, Spark ran.

With every step, his feet sunk into the soft wet ground. The rain had all but stopped, but the sky was still churning with storm clouds and lighting bolts. Spark ran away from his house. Away from the black car parked outside and the horrible man it brought with it. He ran faster when he heard his name shouted between the rumbles of thunder. The trees swallowed him whole. With ever step, a twig reached out and scratched him. Every bramble latched onto his clothes and stuck to his skin. Every little pain felt dull.

Spark burst from the trees and skidded to a stop. He had run so far and fast, he hadn't even realized where he was going. The cliff where he now stood looked empty and void of life. Just a few months ago, when his dad had taken here to see the Butterfree migration, it had been the most vibrant place in the world. Not anymore. Sparks sank to the ground and began to cry.

He stayed like that for what felt like ages. Time kept moving forward while he just stayed in the same moment. The same realization playing in his mind on repeat. What was he going to do now? Without his dad, what would happen to him? Why did it have to be his daddy?

A shrill squawk jerked him back to his surroundings. Spark looked around, trying to figure out what it was. "He-hello?" he wiped the tears out of his eyes to get a better look around. "Hello? Is someone there?"

Another squawk and then a flapping noise. Spark turned a noticed a Spearow struggling to stand in a thick pile of mud. He hurried over to the little bird Pokémon. It squawked at him when he got near and looked just plain scared. Spark slowed and knelt down a little ways away. The Spearow was all covered in mud, but Spark could see from here that it was injured. Its right wing hung limply on its side.

"I-It's okay." He sniffled. "I won't hurt you." Spark sat and held out his hand; like he'd seen his dad do so many times. The Spearow squawked angrily, but the little boy held steady. "I won't hurt you."

Slowly, the Spearow's tense energy unraveled. He reached out and pecked at the boys fingers. Spark didn't flinch when the sharp little beak poked him; he took it as a sign and moved closer. Soft feathers rubbed against his hand.

The ground underneath the boy and the Pokémon shifted. Spark looked around in a panic and saw parts of the cliff beginning to slide off into the water below. Spark jumped up and grabbed the Spearow; running to the safety of the trees as fast as he could. But he took the wrong route. The thick mud that the Spearow was stuck in was now slowing him down. The further he went, the deeper it became until it was nearly up to his knees. Spark looked around frantically for a way around, but it was too late to change directions. The cliff was collapsing faster now, almost like it was chasing him. Spark pulled his legs through the mud, cradling the injured Spearow. The bird Pokémon was squawking in fear and huddle close the little boy.

The ground shook as the collapsing cliff was just about to catch up. Spark wobbled and fell on his knees. He glanced back and realized that he'd run out of time. Spark tossed the Spearow as hard as he could towards the trees. It flapped it one good wing frantically and made it to safety. Just as it turned to look at its friend, the ground gave way and Spark was falling. He yelled for his dad, for his uncle, for anyone. But he was alone.

Spark reached out to the rocks whizzing past him, trying to grab on to something, anything that might save him. But there was nothing. Everything was moving too fast and he just wasn't strong enough to hold on. His hands were covered in scrapes and cuts from the sharp rocks. Spark did the only thing he could think of. He closed his eyes and waited. There was a loud bang of thunder and bright flash of light.

Instead of the hard rush of the sea, something soft hit him in the back. Then all the sudden he was slowing down. Spark clutched onto whatever was holding him and slowing opened his eyes. The stormy night sky was above him, moving slowly. Moving towards him. He was flying! Spark cautiously looked around, afraid that he was still in danger. He was riding on something. Something big.

Giant yellow and black wings were on either side of him, cutting through the air so easily. Spark rolled on his belly and tried to see what had saved him. It was unlike any Pokémon he'd ever seen. "Th-thank you!" he shouted. The giant bird turned its head and looked at him with one of its fierce eyes. Fierce, yes; but not dangerous. It was the same kind of eyes that Sai had. Wild and scary but only to people and Pokémon it didn't like. Spark wasn't in that category.

"My dad would love to meet you…" he mumbled. It was the first thought that came to his head. Spark crawled up and wrapped his arms around his savior. Tears began falling silently as he was carried off back to safety.

It was a short flight, not even a full five minutes. Spark looked down and recognized his house. There were tons of lights around it, all tiny and weak. Most likely from flashlights. It looked like Surge had woken up everyone in the valley to look for him. "I don't want to go back." He mumbled, burying his face in the yellow feathers. With every tear that fell, he felt his breath getting short again. His grief was trying to suffocate him. The bird Pokémon changed course and began descending into a thin spot in the forest. It hovered over the ground for a moment, kicking up all the loose leaves and sending them into a whirlwind. Spark held on tight until the big wings were folded.

"I don't want to go back…" he mumbled again. "If I go back, what will I do?"

The bird turned and watched the little human curiously. Spark pushed himself up and stared the bird in the eye.

"What am I going to do! I-I don't have a dad a-anymore. I don't have a mom! I-I am all alone…" he covered his face with his hands, the tears falling rapidly like rain drops. The bird jerked to the side, making Spark fall off his back. "W-what was that for?"

The bird stood to it full height. It was nearly as tall as the trees. Spark stopped crying purely out of awe. Whatever this Pokémon was, it was sure to be one of a kind. The bird reached down and nudged him with its long beak. Spark stood, wiping his tears all the while. The bird poked him hard in the back.

"Ouch! Hey what are you doing?" just then, a voice called his name. It was still far, so he couldn't tell who it belonged too but it definitely was his name. The little boy froze. "No-no… I can't go back…"

Another poke.

"Ow… I can't go back there!" he spun around and tried to run again, but the bird extended one of its wings. "You don't understand… if I go back then I'll have to hear it again. They'll sit me down an-and tell me that m-my daddy is- is…" a sob cut off the rest of his sentence. The voice rang out again, calling him more frantically. Spark took a few steps back and bumped right into the bird's leg. It looked down at him, its eyes different from before. Spark sniffed and sat on its clawed foot. "What am- am I going to do now? I'm all alone…"

The voice called out again, and this time he recognized it. It was Surge. Spark's stomach dropped.

"Uncle Surge?" He thought about his uncle then. Really thought. Surge was his dad's big brother. He didn't have a wife, or any kids. Their parents, Sparks grandparents, died long before he was born. Was he…? "He… He's alone now too, huh?" he looked up to the bird who cocked its head to the side. Spark stood his legs a little shaky. "Thank you, for helping me. I don't know what to call you. I don't even know what kind of Pokemon you are. But I think I can call you my friend. Right?"

He reached up, the bird meeting him halfway. Spark looked at him curiously, trying to commit everything about the strange Pokémon to memory. Although he was pretty sure nothing could make him forget. Spark took a deep breath and began walking towards his uncle's voice. Before he got very far, there was a funny little chirp that made him turn. Something hard hit him in the forehead.

"Ow!" he rubbed the spot and frowned. "What was that?"

The great yellow bird snapped its beak and looked down at the ground. At his feet, there was a funny looking yellow stone. Spark looked at curiously and slowly picked it up. Up close, it was beautiful. Dark yellow veins ran through the stone, looking like a dozen little lightning bolts trapped in honey. But what it was, Spark had no idea. When he looked up at his friend again, the Pokémon was gone. Spark nodded, understanding that this Pokémon was not the type to hang out. He pocketed the stone and trudge towards the noise.

Spark wiggled his way through tightly packed trees until he was out in the open again. His house visible in the distance. A cracking branch made him turn around. Surge stumbled out into the open, a flashlight in his hand and his cane noticeably missing.

The older man's eye grew wide. "Spark?"

Whatever emotional break Spark was on was now over and his eyes began watering. "Uncle Surge…"

Surge hurried over to his nephew and dropped to his knees, pulling him into a tight hug. "It's okay, squirt. It's going to be okay."

"B- but dad…"

"So you did hear… I'm sorry you had to find out that way. I'm sorry that- that this happened. It shouldn't have happened to you. Either of you." Surge's emotions were catching up with him too. Relief and sorrow came out in one panicked rush and he just couldn't hold it in anymore. He held on to Spark tighter.

"I'm sorry too, Uncle Surge. I'm sorry I ran away."

"I know why you did… I wanted to run away too."

"Really?"

"Really."

Spark untangled himself from his uncle and took a deep breath. "What's going to happen now?" The question sent another shiver though out his little frame.

"Let's not worry about that right now." Surge stood and took the little boys hand in his. "First let's let everyone know you're okay. We'll deal with the other stuff later."

Spark nodded and walked slowly alongside his uncle. Surge's limp was worse than ever, but he stood tall like there was no pain at all. Spark on the other hand felt like all the bumps and bruises from the night's adventure were catching up with him. The scrapes he got from falling were finally beginning to sting. The ones on his hand hurt the most, but he didn't want to let go of Surge's hand. It was warm and comforting on this cold night. Spark stuffed his other hand into his pocket to keep it warm, when his fingers bumped into the stone.

"Uncle Surge?"

"Yeah, squirt?"

Spark let go of the stone in his pocket and let his arm swing by his side. "Ummm never mind. I'll tell you tomorrow. I'm tired."

AN: oops, it got sad. don't worry, things will get better for Spark.