A Franticshipping Tale

I do NOT own pokemon NOR the Cover Pic

CHAPTER 3

Trusting the hunting instincts that I believed to have inherited from my father, I took a deep breath and aimed below. The bushes continued to rustle, telling me exactly where the pokemon was. It was my chance. I'll show everyone that I'm my father's son. Smirking, I prepared to release my shot.

*crack*

I froze. The branch that I was on let out a sound that I prayed not to mean what I thought it was. The creaking continued. Frantic, I glanced back but it was too late. The branch snapped and I fell into the thick cluster of leaves below. It was not that high but it was still painful. I felt thorns scratch me as I fell and the fact that I landed flat on my back against the broken branch didn't help either. My head spun and the sea of green leaves in the dim lighting swam in my vision. Groaning, aching and dizzy, I inevitably lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was no longer in the woods. Well, I was still in the woods but a different place. I was in a small clearing. The lighting was brighter and the air smelled sweeter. Flowers? Groggily, I sat up and placed a hand on my head to steady myself. I looked down and grimaced at my partially torn clothes. My arms had a few scratches here and there. It's not a big deal for me, but Mom's gonna throw a fit. That aside, where was I now?

"Y-You okay?" a timid voice called out from the trees.

"I guess..." I replied, not knowing how else to reply. As the headache subsided, I tried to look for the owner of the voice. "Where are you?"

"I... Uhm..." Her voice was barely a whisper. I could tell it was a girl, a kid like me, maybe.

"Come on out," I coaxed with a friendly tone. I didn't want to scare her. Mom said once that girls are delicate beings, not that I would know because we moved around too much to really make any friends. I just have to take Mom's word for it.

"Mmmhmmm..."

I stood up and took another look around. No one. Whoever she is, she's either invisible or she can hide really well. I stepped forward. "Come on, I won't bite." I flashed a wide grin, hoping that it'll help.

Suddenly, a glint of yellow color caught my eye. Then I was met with a pair of big round cerulean eyes. A girl, I think, stepped out of the treeline, her fingers fidgeting in front of her. She averted my gaze as she timidly walked closer. I finally got a good look at her under the sunlight. She was a girl alright, a little shorter than I was. She had brown loose pigtails that framed her face. Her headband, at least I think it seemed like one, was a tri-feather crown of golden feathers. Around her neck was a matching shawl that topped her orange one-piece. It was one unusual outfit that's for sure. Plus the fact that she was bare foot.

"I... Uhm.. H-Hello," she chirped nervously, momentarily meeting my eyes before snapping elsewhere.

"Hi," I greeted back lamely as I wondered why a shy girl like her was in the forest. It was dangerous. She couldn't possible defend herself like I can. "Are... Are you lost?"

The feathery-clad girl look at me with a surprised expression. She shook her head in reply and then stared at the forest floor with a nervous expression.

'She surely must me lost,' I concluded. Gently, I approached her and held out my hand, flashing a wide grin in addition. "C'mon. We can look for our parents together." I guess my little misadventure ends here. I have no idea how long I was gone. Mom and Dad would be really mad if I don't come back after dark.

The girl cocked a curious glance at my hand before reaching out and finally accepting it. Her hand was small and really dainty. Mom was right, girls are delicate. Her eyes met my crimson shade once again. I could tell she was scared. She was nearing tears already. I have to be the brave one. Mom said that boys have to protect girls. That and I feel that I have to. She seems so... fragile? fluffy?

"I'm Ruby, by the way..." I added with a big grin and began to lead her through the woods. Then I suddenly halted. "Uhm... I... actually don't know where we are."

The girl looked at me and blinked blankly. She didn't seem scared, just very curious. Those big round blue eyes seem to really see right through me. It made me a little uneasy. Her mouth parted a bit like she wanted to speak up but she immediately shut it back. I guess she was still shy to tell me her name. No matter. What's important was we get out of here safely.

"I got it!" She jolted by my tone when I suddenly was struck by a great idea. I let to go of her hand and told her to stay put. "I'll be right back! Don't worry." I added with a reassuring smile.

Rushing away from her, I went up to the nearest tree and started climbing. Grabbing the second branch, I felt a tug at my pant. I looked down and saw the girl staring up at me, her deep azure eyes pleading. She held me down with her little hand in a death grip.

I figured that she was scared to be left alone, not that I can blame someone like her. I pondered on my options and grinned once again when I arrived at a conclusion. "Just a sec!" I assured her and she reluctantly let go.

"C-Careful..." she muttered, fidgeting her fingers once again.

"Don't worry." I quickly got on top of the nearest yet sturdiest branch I could find. After a few tests to make sure it wouldn't snap, I reached down with an open hand. "Here."

Her crystal blue eyes once again stared at me deeply. They were such a wonder like the sky. It was making me feel queasy. Strange. Mom never said anything about that. Moments later, she extended her hand and once again grasped my own. I smiled at her acceptance and hoisted her up. She squirmed but I was able to pull her up until she got a hold of the branch. I helped her get on securely. She was light. Before we knew it, we were face to face, panting. I laughed in amusement. It was fun to climb a tree with another kid.

The girl stared at me and then she flashed a sweet smile. The queasiness returned. I better ask mom about this stomach bug. Pushing the weirdness aside, I continued up the tree and popped out of the canopy. The sky was blue but growing pale due to the yellow tint. It must be in the afternoon. Sun is at the west. Directions:check. I panned the surroundings more and saw grey smoke rising from the northwest. The village was that way. It was farther than I anticipated but we'll manage.

A tap on my shoulder interrupted me and I turned around with a quizzical gaze. The brown-haired girl was staring at me again. Did she climb up after me? She must be a fast learner. Or maybe girls aren't that delicate after all.

"I know where to go," I declared proudly. She seemed bewildered. Didn't she care? How long has she been out here? As I continued to wonder, I caught a whiff of a sweet fragrance. I shifted my gaze and saw flickers of pastel colors float above the treetops. What could be over there?

The girl followed my gaze and turned around. She also seemed to have noticed the fluttering petals. Whipping her face back to look at me, she smiled radiantly and her eyes sparkled, rivaling the sky's color. Without warning, she tugged my hand and dived below the leaves. I followed her, confused and surprised by her sudden excitement.

We made our way back down. She looked unsure about climbing down but she did her best and concentrated. I made it down first, leaping down and landing on a crouch. Turning towards her, I found her looking down on me from the last branch. She seemed... unsure? Couldn't tell that much but she was pouting.

"Jump!" I exclaimed with my arms open. "I'll catch you!" It was what my father would do when I climbed trees. I don't know how well it will work but I'm my father's son. What could go wrong?

The girl stared at reluctantly and without warning, she jumped. I grabbed her arms but I underestimated the momentum. I stumbled back at the weight and fell flat on my rear with an 'ow'. "Ugh. That did not go as planned..."

"I-I'm... sorry..." She muttered on the verge of tears.

"It's fine!" I quickly replied, jolting her slightly. My tone might have been to abrupt. I hurriedly toned down and brushed off the dust and leaves on her. "You're not hurt, are you?"

The girl shook her head. "I'm okay."

"That's good." I gave her a relieved smile and stood up. Then I plucked a leaf from the yellow feather crest she had on her head. The sensation felt kind of strange, like the feathers were attached or something. Weird. Never mind that. I-We still had to get home. I held out my hand again. "So... uhm... shall we go?"

Her face lit up suddenly and she grabbed my hand, steering me in the opposite direction of the village. I tried to protest but she seemed enthusiastic about something. It felt bad to deny her. I guess I could let it slide. My mom will be mad at me anyway.

We stepped out of the treeline and I was struck speechless by the colorful flower field that stretched vastly before us. The open grass was dotted by a wide variety of flora. There were blue ones, red ones, white ones and yellow ones. Mom would love this place. She loves flowers. She said all girls do so it's only reasonable that the girl would too. Speaking of that girl...

I watched her break free from me and run to the field. The deep orange of her clothes made her stand out in the pastel shades. Her eyes though were mirroring the asters and cornflowers. They weren't really as deep and eye-catching as her eyes, I'll admit. Each flower was the same as its kind. Her eyes, on the other hand, were unique. They shimmer especially when she smiles.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice her come back to, her hands behind her like she was holding something. I cocked my head from side to side to see if I can figure out what it was. She giggled and stepped back so I couldn't see it properly. Giving up, I scratched the back of my head and asked what it was. She let out an innocent laugh and presented the mystery item.

It was a flower crown.

I blinked at the floral circlet with blue and red flowers. I recognize the red carnations and the blue asters. Mom liked to talk about flowers, must be a girl thing. The girl stepped forward and raised the crown over my head, well tried to. I ducked down and she smiled in relief, placing the soft petaled circlet on my head. I straightened up and fidgeted the item curiously. I lowered my hand when she looked at me expectantly. What did she want?

"Do... you...uhm... like it?" She asked curiously.

'Girls like compliments,' my mom's words echoed in my mind. "They're..." I pondered nervously. What word is compliment? "...beautiful."

Like a Volbeat, her face lit up and my stomach bug started acting up again. "I c-could teach you...uhm... h-how to make one, I mean."

She was fidgeting nervously, her eyes darting from the left to the right. I should say no. We really should get home but I guess I could stay for a while longer. I didn't want to make her sad. Who knows when I can make another friend? The two of us are friends now, right? "O-okay... sure, why not?"

I stared at the fallen floral crown that I picked up. I wondered how the girl was doing. Our parting was not on pleasant circumstances. I told myself that she was fine and that I shouldn't think about her anymore. I sighed, a wave of sadness suddenly washed over me. The vague childhood memory was bittersweet. I dare not recall the end of it. It wasn't pretty. I reached up and fingered the scars. The guilt and regret still lingered.

"Kip?" The blue mudfish pokemon nudged me against my leg, drawing me out of my daze.

I flashed a smile at the little fella. "I'm okay... err... I didn't catch your name."

The Mudkip stared at me and turned its head in bewilderment, snot dripping slightly from its nose.

"Uhm... You do have a name, right?" I inquired. "I mean... it'll be hard to distinguish you from the rest of the other Mudkips. We're friends now, right?"

"Mudkip!" The little blue pokemon nodded and wiggled his head fin.

"Hmmm..." I contemplated how one-sided the situation was. The Mudkip understood me but I can barely figure out what he's saying without guesses or hints. Trying to know his name would be difficult. I don't want to name it Kip, Mud, or Mumu. Though Mumu sounds kind of fitting.

The leaves above me began to rustle. I looked up and wondered if Sapphire was still up there watching me. I wouldn't be surprised. Heh. And she thinks I'm a stalker. I look back a the flower field and soaked in the sight. I don't know how long I stood there but it felt like a lifetime. Breeze from the pastel fields continued to feel nostalgic but there was this stab of pain in my chest.

Indeed, remembering those days was bittersweet.

I sighed and headed back to the cover of the trees. The floral scent still lingered but it was manageable. The Mudkip trotted behind me, skipping clumsily over the overgrown tree roots. He really wasn't built for this terrain. I should take it back to the lake before he might dry out. Kneeling down, I extended my hand and smiled gently. "I'm sorry if I dragged you out here too long. I appreciate the help but I really should take you back."

"Kip?" The Mudkip looked at me sadly. Oh Arceus, what does it want?

"Don't look at me like that... I have to take you back," I sighed inwardly. Dad would flip if I took him home. That is, if he doesn't decide to skin him or something. I shuddered at the thought. I saved the Mudkip from one hunter's trap. I won't drag him to a second one, that much I was sure of.

"Mud-kip!" Suddenly, he took a defensive stance in front of me, growling hostilely at the shadow between the trees.

Something was there. On instinct, I quickly took out my bow and prepared to fire an arrow, not that I would purposely hit something, just warn it so it would back off. The heavy footsteps grew louder. It wasn't going to back down. My crimson eyes narrowed and I stared intently at the approaching figure. Basing on the size of the shadow, it was half my height. I continued to analyze it. Single pokemon. Two pairs of steps: Quadrupedal. Loud steps: possibly armored, either rock, ground or steel type. I cursed under my breath. Even if I shoot it, I won't do much as tickle it. This is bad.

The pokemon stepped unto the clearing, pawing the ground and groaning loudly. It was gray and heavily armored by a white ridged shell. Its ice-blue eyes glared at me dangerously. I couldn't help my blood from freezing over. It was a Lairon, steel-type, secondary form.

It let loose an ear-splitting roar. The ground rumbled and the trees shook. I winced and my stance wobbled, while, the Mudkip tumbled back and retreated behind me. Couldn't blame it, but the little guy had guts to stay with me. He should have run and left me instead. Steeling my stance, I eyed the Lairon threateningly and aimed my arrow. I won't back off, not when this Mudkip is depending on me.

The Lairon charged and I fired my arrow. It snapped like a measly twig on contact of the armored pokemon's white shell while I hastily scooped up the Mudkip and rolled out of the way. The steel-type rammed a tree, making it rain leaves and twigs, as if the forest dirt on my clothes was not enough. Inwardly groaning, I got back up and ran. I'm no coward but there was no way to I could face that thing. I know my limits. I don't need to learn the lesson twice.

I zigzagged around the trees, clutching the Mudkip close to my chest with one arm while gripping my bow in my other. I could hear the Lairon chase after me but I was steadily losing it. The undergrowth was a major pain though. I had to leap over shrubs, rocks and bulging tree roots, not to mention trotting Seedots and scampering Zigzagoons. It was draining my energy fast.

"Kiiip?" The Mudkip's tone was full of worry and concern.

Too busy running to reply, I glanced back and the color from my face drained. The Lairon was running through the undergrowth like it was nothing. It was gradually gaining now, seeing as I was growing slower and tired. Distracted, I didn't notice I was heading downhill. A hidden tree root stuck out of the ground and I tripped. I stumbled forward and rolled down the narrow slope before sliding across the forest floor. I managed to roll myself into a ball and shielded the Mudkip as best as I could until I slammed by back against a tree, ultimately bringing me to a halt. Pain shot through back. The arrow bag behind me cushioned the impact but it still hurt. I groaned at my carelessness and forced my eyes open. The Lairon's form stood from atop of the slope, its blue eyes glaring down on me.

I winced as I desperately sat up and leaned heavily against the tree, the Mudkip settled securely on my lap. He looked back at me worriedly before eyeing the aggressive Lairon. I was too dizzy, tired and in pain to move. I was going nowhere. "Sorry... Looks like I screwed up big time."

The little guy jumped out of my arms and glared at the imposing form of the iron armor pokemon. "Mudkip!"

Arceus, I'll give him credits for bravery but this was suicidal. There's no way a little Mudkip can win against an evolved pokemon that size. He'll get crushed. "No! Escape! Get away!" I pleaded but the Mudkip didn't move from the spot in front of me.

The Lairon growled in a loud and husky tone, sending the surrounding area a rumble. The Mudkip didn't wince or back down. Instead, much to my horror, he charged the Lairon and launched a stream of water from his mouth. The Lairon jolted and backed away from the sudden attack. In retaliation, it stomped its front legs and forced the Mudkip to lose balance, diverting the attack away and making him drop his guard. Not giving up, the Mudkip turned around and kicked back piles of mud at the Lairon's face, obscuring the pokemon's vision. It desperately tried to shake off the dirt as it blindly charged forward. The Mudkip rolled out of the way but the Lairon was heading directly towards me. I sat frozen on the stop, fearing the impending doom.

"Rono! STOP!" Sapphire's voice yelled through the trees and much to my utter shock, the Lairon skidded to a halt and let out a gruff snort a good distance in front of me. I was saved! err... wait. Did she call the Lairon-Rono? I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

"You okay?" Sapphire dropped out of the sky and hurried over.

"Ugh... Yeah-" I was cut off when she didn't even look at me. She went to the Lairon first and brushed off the mud with her hands. I guess I couldn't really blame her. Rono, as I recall, was one of her partners. Toro was the other one, if memory serves me right... Argh. Thinking is not good for headaches.

"Mudkip!" The little blue guy drew my attention as he ran towards me and leaped back unto my lap. Well, at least someone was concerned. I smiled at the little hero-of-the-hour and rubbed the bottom of his chin. I then noticed his muddy state. I wanted to sigh but I no longer cared. I was dirty enough after the whole Lairon fiasco, a little more mud wasn't going to make a difference. And after that valiant display, I doubt I could be angry at him. For a little fella, he sure was tough.

"You did good..." I whispered to the Mudkip who beamed at the praise and wagged his tail fin. I smiled at his enthusiasm. "Thanks for staying with me."

"Hey. What about you?" Sapphire's voice drew my attention. I blinked mutely when I suddenly found her standing there and focused on me with those cerulean eyes. She really was looking at me, right? Not the Mudkip? Not the tree behind me? "Well?"

"I'll live," I answered and attempted to stand. The Mudkip dropped to the ground, just beside my fallen bow. He seemed to have figured that I wouldn't have the capacity to carry him and keep my balance at the same time. I staggered constantly, my hand leaned to the rough tree bark for support. I winced as my head throbbed and swayed back and forth. My vision blurred momentarily before I felt someone neck to me with a firm grip on my shoulders. "Ugh... Thanks."

I looked back and blinked in surprised. Whatever or whoever was behind me was tall, a head and a half taller than me. Yellow sclera and blue irises stared down at me. Its gaze was strong and firm. As my vision focused, I saw that it had a beak with a V-shaped crest on its mask. The points of the crest reminded me of the horns on Sapphire's head. The feathery collar and seemingly bandaged wrists were also an undeniable resemblance. I wouldn't be surprised if they had the tail-thing too. If so, what is it? A pokemon? Then Sapphire could be a pokemon too, maybe. Argh. Did I hit the tree harder than I thought? ...Maybe.

I found my vision swimming again, but this time everything was growing darker. As my sight went into a tunnel, I heard the Mudkip squeak as well as Sapphire's voice. Hmmm... D-Did she just call my name?

End of Chapter 3

I got into the mood of writing this. Hehehe... Sorry for the major delay. 1 year?
Oh, Arceus has it been that long?! Gaaawwwwd.
I'm soooooo sorry~! DX
And there's already 18 reviews for 2 chapters. *sigh*

Anyway, got the plot down. Dunno how long this will be hopefully under 20 chapters.
Review Please! Thanks in advance. X3