Hello! First of all, I want to thank you to all of you that leave reviews and follow/favorite the story! Your kind words are so inspiring to me and make me feel so happy! Shout out to EvandroP that even said that I seem like a pro writer! Haha there's no way my writing is THAT good! (or even good at all *sigh*) But thanks anyway, that comment made me really happy :)

Anyway here's chapter 3! Lots of stuff happen in this one!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon!

It's been over a week since I was forced to run away from my home. I decided to head towards the capital, like Mother and Father wanted to me to. I figured if I needed to go to a town, I might as well just go there. Everything was going fine for the first two days; I haven't run into any hostile wild Pokémon yet. But on the third day is when things started to go downhill.

Mother had packed a tent, so that gave me shelter if I couldn't find a vacant cave or den, and since I couldn't find a vacant den on the third night I had to camp out outside. However, it turns out I was in Luxray territory and they were not nice or reasoning at all. I tried to talk to them but they refused to listen at all and just straight up attacked me. That was the first time I was hit by an electric-type attack, and god I hope that's the last. Besides the brief but intense pain, I was left without any wounds. However the electricity broke my compass, which I was using to navigate to Iron City. So now I'm lost and have been traveling aimlessly for about a week, hoping that I would find a town or village.

"This is getting really bad. I'm out of food and water and I have no idea where I am." I said to myself as I stand in the middle of the forest, staring at my now useless map. I ran out of food after about week. The past few days I've been able to find berries and even filled a bottle with water from the river. But even all that stuff is gone, and now I have nothing to eat or drink.

I try going through my backpack in hopes of finding something that could help me. No luck. It's a lot more spacious inside though, now that all the food and water is gone. It used to be filled with empty cans and other garbage since Mother taught me the importance of keeping the environment clean, but all the excess weight was slowing me down and wasting my energy. I figured in this life or death situation, Mother would let this one slide, though I still feel really bad for littering the forest.

"Mother…Father…what do I do?" I fall onto the ground and look down with my hands on my head, frustrated and scared. I've been scared for so long, I don't have the courage for this. "I wanna go home…" I cried.

"No!" I smack myself. "I told myself I would stop sulking and crying! I need to find some food and water." I stood back up. Mother and Father believed in me, so I need to believe in myself. I pick a random direction and continue on.

After hours of walking, I'm about to just give up. I found a single rawst berry so that kept me going for little while, but it was so bitter and disgusting that I could barely eat. I'm still so hungry. I can barely keep up my walking. I just want to sleep, and maybe when I wake up I'll have more energy to find more food. But I know that's a terrible idea. It's still really bright outside. I look up to the sky and see that the sun is up high, so it's probably around noon. If I were to sleep now, I'd wake up in the middle of night, and I do not want to have to risk dealing with the nocturnal Pokémon.

I keep up my struggle and after a while I see something in the distance.

"W-what's that? I-is that what I think it is?!" I hope this isn't some mirage…are there even mirages in the forest? Either way it's giving me enough energy to run.

I was right! It's a field of berries! Oran, pecha, leppa, lum, chesto…berries as far as the eye can see!

"It-it's a miracle!" I shout as I make a mad dash towards the pecha berries. Pechas are my favorite because they're so sweet and soft. What kid doesn't like sweets?

I stand in front of the tree and stare at the berries mesmerized. They look so juicy and plump! I've never seen such delicious looking pechas before! Though it might just be my hunger messing with me. Just as I'm about to grab them I hesitate for a bit. These berry trees are all planted so nicely and organized, and the berries look too pretty to be wild; these most likely belong to someone. Am I about to steal someone's hard work? I know that stealing is wrong, but…I'm starving here! I'm a lost child with no food, so I'm sure the owner would understand…right? Taking one or two wouldn't hurt.

I slowly grab one and frown at it. My brain says no but my stomach says yes. Hunger is such a terrible thing. I violently shake my head in an attempt to get rid of all my thoughts of what's right and wrong and prepare to take a bite of this delicious and juicy looking berry.

"HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING YOU THEIF?!"

I jump from the sudden yelling. That scared me to death! I look to see where that came from and see an angry Breloom walking towards me. "Uh-oh I've been caught…" I thought to myself.

"Um…I'm sorry sir! I didn't mean to take your berries! I-I'm a lost and s-starving child! I don't have any food and I don't know where I am! P-please understand!" I cried. I try to reason with him, but it doesn't look like he cares and once again I'm scared for my life. This Breloom looked insanely strong. I bet he'd be able to take on the Demon's Fang.

"Pfft yeah right! You're gonna pay for this! You stupid kids and bums are always coming to my farm and stealing my berries!" The Breloom shouted. He's completely furious and reasoning with him is not an option. So my only other option is to run for it. I charge up a Quick Attack and get out of there as fast as possible.

"Ha! You think that's gonna work for you?!" he said as I was running away. I look back and see him charging after me with a Mach Punch. My eyes widened as I tried to pick up the speed, but he kept catching up to me.

"Oh god, this is going to hurt!" I thought as I shut my eyes tight and brace myself for the incoming Mach Punch.

The Breloom must've put everything he had in that punch, because that HURT! The impact of the punch sends me flying into the air.

"Hmph, that's what you get! And stay out!" he shouted. I could barely hear it though as it was drowned from my own screaming. I was in the air for a while, and finally stopped when I crashed into a tree. I fall through the sharp and painful branches until I finally make impact on the ground. However, the landing could've been a lot less painful. I land not so elegantly and I scream in pain as I lie on the forest floor.

"Ow…ow…ow… that really hurt," my entire body is covered in scratches from the tree, my torso is aching from that Mach Punch, and my leg is especially in pain. That landing really did a number on my leg.

I attempt to get up, but I instantly fall back on the ground. My leg is in great pain. I put my hands over it in an attempt to ease the pain.

"I…I think I sprained my ankle or something…it looks a bit swollen," I reach for my backpack and find the first aid kit. I grab one of the potions and mentally prepare myself for the incoming stinging.

"Ugh this is going to hurt too…3…2…1!" I counted mentally as I spray myself and my leg. "Ow! Ow! That stings!" I shout as I grit my teeth, trying to endure the stinging. I've only had a potion sprayed on me a few times, and they were on single areas. This time it was all over my body. After that terrible experience, I wrap up my ankle and slowly get up.

"Ouch, that's a little better…I think." I take a quick glance at my scratches and see them immediately start to heal up. I look up at the sky and see that the sun is getting lower; evening isn't too far off from now. "I…need to keep going before it gets really dark." I pick a random direction again and slowly start limping my way to…I don't even know where.

Several hours later, I'm extremely exhausted. The sun has started to set, and I still don't have any food. Luckily I found a river, so at least I won't dehydrate. I vaguely remember learning that we can survive longer without food than without water. My ankle is really starting to hurt since I've been walking all this time. I seriously need to find a safe place to camp out and get some rest.

As I keep up my struggle, I don't even have the energy to pay attention to where I'm walking. I end up running into a log and falling forward. And of course, I'm at the top of a steep slope, so my tripping leads to stumbling downhill.

"Seriously?! Argh this is going to be even worse than the tree!" I curse my bad luck. The slope is covered in rocks and bushes, and it seems like I run into every single obstacle. It feels like my entire body is getting punched and kicked every time I make contact to the ground, and especially when I run into a rock or bush. My backpack even gets loose and goes flying ahead of me.

"Ouch! No! Not my backpack!" I mentally scream. I definitely cannot afford to lose that or else I really am a goner.

I finally reach the bottom of the hill, and once again I'm screaming in pain. I have scrapes and cuts all over my body again. My arms are also in terrible pain. Did I sprain those too? I look at them and they're covered in bruises and cuts. I think I may have broken some bones, because they really, really hurt…

"Ow, ow, ouch! …Gah that hurts…really badly…" I remember that my backpack came off during that trip and I look up to find it. Luckily it's in front of me, but not in reaching distance.

"I…need my first aid kit…" I try to get up. Bad idea. My arms can't even lift my body up, and I instantly fall back down on the ground.

"OW!" I cried. Back on the ground, I try crawling myself towards the backpack. That didn't work either. If my arms can't even lift me up, what made me think they'll pull me forward?

I lie on the ground, completely exhausted and defeated. "What do I do now? I can't even reach my backpack, my entire body hurts and is bleeding from the scratches, my arms and legs are both aching really badly, and to top it off I'm starving! I haven't really eaten anything for the past two days! Is…is this it? Am I just going to lie here to my death?" I start to cry again. Even though I told myself I wouldn't cry anymore, I can't stop these tears. The exhaustion is finally catching up to me. I feel my eyes starting to grow heavy. I try to fight the tears and exhaustion away, but I don't even have the energy for that. I feel like I'm starting to lose consciousness.

"This…this is really it…If I fall asleep here now, I have this very bad feeling I won't be waking up…Maybe then I'll see Mother and Father again…" The thoughts of my parents make the tears even worse. I finally decide to just accept my fate and close my eyes. My vision turns completely black. This whole running away plan was a terrible idea. I knew I didn't have it in me. I don't know what strength or courage Mother and Father saw in me. I feel terrible that I wasn't able to fulfil their final wish. Their sacrifice was all for nothing. At least I'll be able to apologize in front of them. I'll be with them soon…

"Mother…Father…"

Hello! My name's Auburn! A fun-loving and adventurous 8-year old female Vulpix! Today I decided to explore the forest again! I don't have many close friends, so I usually end up exploring alone. But I do bring a friend or two with me every once and a while! Mint was just busy today so she couldn't join me. Mint is a Ralts, and she's my closest friend. Although I don't get to hang out with her very much outside of school since her parents are pretty strict.

"Hmm, it's starting to get dark outside. I should probably start heading home. I don't want to get yelled at by Mom and Dad again." I say to myself while looking up at the orange sky. I turn around and follow the trail that leads back to town.

"Ah, I just love this forest. As much as I like being with my friends, exploring alone is also really fun! It's so peaceful and quiet. All I can hear are my foot steps and the nature: the trees swaying in the wind, the river flowing, the…wild Pokémon crying? Wait, what is that?!" I stop in my tracks from the sudden noise. I close my eyes and try to focus so I can hear where it's coming from.

"*sniff*" I turn my head around the moment I hear that.

"It definitely sounds like someone is crying! Do I go check it out? What if someone is hurt?" I question myself whether I keep heading home or not.

"I should probably go look, I'd never forgive myself if I found out I just abandoned a hurt Pokémon." I say as I quickly make my way towards the source.

"Mother…Father…" I gasp and jump a little at the sudden, but faint voice. That scared me! Sudden and creepy voices like that always scare me. I was always a bit of a scaredy-cat.

"Wait, w-what if it's actually a ghost?!" Now that I think about it, this is all really spooky. I stop again and rethink my decision.

"W-what if this forest is actually haunted? B-but then again the sun it still in the sky, it isn't completely dark yet. B-but do ghosts really only come out at n-night?! But then what if someone is really hurt?!" I hesitantly gather up all my courage and my walking becomes a light jog towards where I think I heard the crying.

I shortly make it to an open area in front of a really steep looking hill. The slope is covered in bushes and rocks; it looks like it would be really painful if you were to fall from up there. I continue to survey the area until something catches my eye.

"Wh-what is that over there?! Is that a Pokémon?!" I yell as I see something blue lying on the ground near the base of the slope. I make a dash to find out what it could be.

I gasp at the horrible sight in front of me. It's a Riolu! He looks like a boy, and is definitely a kid. He does not look like in good shape. His entire body is covered in bruises and cuts, and his arms and legs look swollen. Did...did he fall off that hill? His eyes are closed, but I can see traces of tears on his face.

"H-hey, are you okay?" I slowly approach him. No response. "Hey! Are you awake?" I say even louder, but still no response. I gently try nudging his body to wake him up, but that again leads to no response. "He's…he's not dead is he?!" I place my ear on his chest to see if he has a heartbeat.

"It's faint, but he's still alive…I-I have to do something! B-but what do I do?! If only Mint were here, she could just teleport us back to town!" I start to panic. If I don't do something, this Riolu is gonna die. I just know it! I can't just leave him here, and I don't want to risk going back home and calling for help! It's getting dark and the nocturnal Pokémon aren't particularly kind.

"I just need to take him back myself!" I decide. I try to lift him up on my back, but he's a lot heavier than he looks. "Argh, w-why is he so heavy?! C'mon Auburn, pick him up!" I shout in frustration. I kept thinking about what would happen if I left him here, and somehow that gave me more strength, as I was able to get him on my back. I think this was called…an adrenaline rush?

"Oof! I-I did it! Now I just need to hurry to Cream's hospital. She can help him!" Just as I'm about to start my Quick Attack, something catches the corner of my eye. It looks like a backpack.

"This is probably his. I better grab it too." I slowly walk towards the backpack. It's really, really tough walking with someone on your back. I've never had to carry anyone before.

I pick up the backpack and carry it with my mouth. "Ugh, this is heavy too! What's in here? Can I really carry all this back into town?! Ugh it's useless to think about it, I just have to do it!" I thought to myself and get rid of any thoughts telling me that I can't do this. I start up a Quick Attack and try to dash as fast as I can while balancing the Riolu on my back.

I'm slightly deep in the forest, so it takes a while to get back into town. Luckily Cream's hospital is just a few blocks away from the forest. I make it back into town and swiftly go down the roads to Cream's, dodging and ignoring anyone that tries to catch my attention. I hear a few of the townspeople asking what I'm doing and who I was carrying, but I'm too focused on getting to the hospital on time. Although, they could've probably get him quicker than I could, since I'm just a small Vulpix.

"J-just a little…further…" I think to myself. I can start to see the small, white building in the horizon. I pick up my pace and put everything I have in getting this Riolu some help.

As I get closer and closer, I realize I might be going a bit too fast. "Crap I don't think I can stop in time! Slow down, Auburn! Slow doooown!"

Too late. I crash into the door and make a loud thump that the entire street can hear. The impact knocks me and the Riolu to the ground.

"Ouch, that hurts!" I shout while rubbing my head. …Wait! The Riolu! I quickly get back up and rush to the Riolu's side, worried to death that I might've hurt him even more.

"What is going on out here?!" I suddenly hear a voice and turn my head to see an Audino standing in front of the door, which surprisingly looks unharmed.

"Auburn? Why are you trying to break my do- *gasp!* what happened to him?!" The Audino covers her mouth with her hands, gasping at the unpleasant sight.

"C-cream! You have to help! This Riolu is in terrible shape!" I cried.

"Understood!" Cream rushed to the Riolu. She gently picks him up. "Oh dear, the poor child! I'll treat him right away!" Cream panics and I watch her run back into her hospital. I give a sigh of relief that I was able to bring the Riolu here by myself.

"I hope he's okay." I slowly get up, pick up the backpack, and make my way into the hospital. I head straight for one of the chairs in the waiting area and collapse from exhaustion, trying to catch my breath after all that. I was breathing and sweating so hard! I've never been so tired before! I slouch on the chair and examine the room.

Cream's hospital is a small, white building with a red cross painted on the top, owned and operated by Cream herself. The hospital itself consists of a reception area and mini pharmacy where you can buy all sorts of medicines. Then there are several rooms and an emergency room, which is where Cream and the Riolu are right now since the light above the room is on. The second floor is where Cream lives. There's a bigger hospital in town, but Cream is definitely the better doctor. Plus she's a really good family friend and a childhood friend of my Mom, so we always go here for our medical needs.

"Ah! I almost forgot! I was supposed to be home a long time ago! Oh man I'm gonna be in so much trouble…but I can't go home now! I'm too worried about that Riolu…" I stare at the entrance to the emergency room.

"I really hope he's okay. What could've happened to him? He said 'mother' and 'father' before I found him. His parents must be so worried…ugh mine are probably really worried too." I get up from my seat and ponder on whether I should go home or not.

"Ugh what do I do?! Do I stay? Or do I go home? I really want to stay, but I need to go home! Maybe I could go home really quick and tell Mom what's happened? But what if she doesn't let me go back out?!" I start arguing to myself while pacing back and forth.

"Auburn, what are you doing?" a mysterious voice interrupts me all of the sudden.

"Eep!" I jump from the unexpected sound. I turn around and see Cream standing in front of me. "C-Cream! You know I jump easily, don't scare me li-" I suddenly realize something. If Cream is standing in front of me that means…!

"I-I mean, Cream! That was pretty quick! How is it?! Is he okay?! He's not dead is he?!" I practically scream at her. I didn't mean to, I'm just so worried!

"Whoa, calm down Auburn! He's going to be just fine. You brought him to me just in time!" Cream says with a smile on her face.

"Really?! Oh thank you Cream! You're so amazing!" I leap with joy onto her, causing us to fall. "Haha! I'm so relieved!"

"Hey now, I told you to calm down!" she says while getting up.

"Oops! Sorry! I get too excited sometimes," I apologize.

"More like all the time! Now then, what happened to him? Where did you find him?" She questioned after making that sassy remark.

"I found him like that in the forest. I was heading home when I heard something that sounded like crying. I was really scared, but I then thought that it might be someone that needs help, so I went to look for the source of the sound. And there he was lying on the ground near a hill that was covered in rocks and stuff. That backpack was also near him." I point at the backpack after explaining what happened.

"I see…he must've fallen down from that hill. He's extremely exhausted and I could tell that he hasn't eaten in a while too…whatever could've happened to him? Have you looked inside that backpack yet?" Cream said with a concerned look on her face.

"No, I haven't. I didn't want to invade his privacy, but maybe something in there will give us a clue. Oh by the way, before I found him I could've sworn I heard a voice say "mother" and "father," I think he said that before he lost consciousness… Oh no! I still need to go back home! Mom and Dad are definitely worried sick by now!" I panicked.

"Don't worry about that Auburn. I called your home already and told your mother what's happened. She's actually on her way here." Cream reassured.

"As a matter of fact, I'm already here!" I turn around after hearing the door opening and see a Ninetales walk in. It was Mom!

"Ah, Arylide." Cream says giving Mom a wave. She smiles back at her.

"Mom!" I rushed to her and hugged her.

"Auburn! Cream told me you brought her someone badly injured! She told me you saved his life! I'm so proud of you!" she hugged me tightly. I cuddle into her chest fur and smile. It makes me so happy when she says she's proud of me!

"Speaking of which, Auburn how did you bring the Riolu here? He's not exactly light, plus you carried that backpack in your mouth! That's very impressive for such a small and young Vulpix!" Cream asked.

"I don't really know to be honest. I couldn't pick him up at first, but I kept thinking that if I didn't do something, he was going to die and I would never forgive myself. Suddenly I felt stronger and was able to carry him and the backpack and Quick Attack my way here." I said, unsure and still wondering how I did it.

"I see, that sounds like quite the adrenaline rush you got there." Cream nodded. "And good thing that kicked in! Anyway, would you like to see him?"

"Can I?!" I said excited.

"Of course. This way, can you bring his backpack in too?" Cream motioned us to follow her.

I grab the backpack and Mom and I follow Cream to the emergency room.

When we walk in, I see a sleeping Riolu on the bed with cords and other stuff attached to him. He has bandages all over his body, but he definitely looks in better shape than before.

"He was in very bad shape. But I've used Healing Pulse on him to reduce the swellings on his arms and legs and to heal the majority of his minor cuts. He has a few broken bones though, so that'll take a few days to heal up. He was also a bit malnourished. He hasn't eaten properly for at least two days." Cream says with her arms crossed.

"Oh my…" Mom gasps and puts a paw over her mouth. I frown at the poor thing. Though the cuts are mostly gone, he still looks pretty bad with all those bandages on him.

"He'll definitely be fine though. You did the right thing to go after that mysterious cry you heard Auburn. He would've died if you ignored him." Cream says while patting my back.

"Oh, I'm so relieved to hear that. It's a good thing I decided to go to the forest today. I was almost not going to go since Mint denied my offer for like the millionth time." I groaned. "I feel like Mint's ignoring me sometimes."

"Oh don't be like that dear. I'm sure she wishes she could play with you too! Some parents are just stricter than others. I should probably take example of Mint's parents seeing as how you didn't come home on time!" Mom scolded. I knew I would still get in trouble for not coming home on time.

"Buuuut seeing as how it led to saving another Pokémon's life, I think I'll let it slide this time." Mom winked. Or not! Mom can be so cool sometimes.

"Hehe thanks Mom! Sorry for not coming home on time!" I hugged her.

"No problem, dear. Anyway, what do you think happened to this poor Riolu? He's much too young to be traveling by himself. His parents must be worried sick!" Mom said with concern.

"I have no clue. Perhaps we could check his backpack for some hints?" Cream said while walking toward the backpack. We followed her as she opened it up to reveal its contents.

"Hmm, there's a tent and blanket in here, a first aid kit, a bottle of water, a map and flashlight…oh what's this?" Cream said while pulling out a small book.

Mom and I gather around Cream as she opens the book. It's filled with photos of the Riolu with two Lucarios. I smile at how happy they look together.

"This must be a family album. They look like such a lovely family…" Mom said with a bit of sadness. Every page has photos of the Riolu, and he has such a huge smile on his face. There were family photos, birthday photos, and some photos with him and a young Mienfoo. The two looks so happy and cute together, they must be great friends. "Do I even have any photos with Mint?" I think to myself.

"What an adorable and happy child! Whatever could have happened for him to be in his current state?" Cream questions as she turns to the last page of the album. "Oh, what is this written part?"

Something is written on the last page of the photo album. Mom moves closer to the book so she can read it, blocking my view.

After a moment of silence, Mom and Cream both gasp at the same time. Cream gasps loudly while covering her mouth with both of her hands, causing her to drop the album. Mom's eyes widen as if she's just seen a ghost.

"N-no…" Cream shakes her head slowly. I look up at her and can see tears forming in her eyes.

"T-the poor child!" Mom cries. She looks like she's about to cry too.

"W-what is it? Why are you guys crying?" I asked worried. I take a look at the album and read the message.

After reading it, I also gasp and take a step back.

"M-mom…a-are his parents…g-gone?" I stutter and look at Mom. She stares at me and frowns for a moment, and then nods slowly.

I look back at the Riolu, who I now know is named Cobalt, and feel tears forming in my eyes. "C-cobalt… poor Cobalt… his home, his p-parents are… Mommy!" I cry as I run towards Mom and hug her tightly.

"Shh, it's okay dear…" she says as she gently strokes my hair.

Cream wipes her tears away and picks up the photo album. She puts it back in the backpack and places that next to Cobalt's bed. She looks down at the unconscious and bandaged Riolu and frowns.

"The Demon's Fang…how cruel…"

The Vulpix makes her appearance! Auburn is here, saving lives! :P The life saving point is where I start taking ideas from the original story I was talking about. Pretty much everything else was my own ideas though. I'm just using that original story as a base plot I guess? I don't know lol

By the way, it's finally summer break! I hope I can continue to keep writing. I plan on keeping the schedule of a chapter every two weeks.

Thanks for reading!