Eevee?
Heracross opened his eyes. He looked around, standing up and raising his claws to fight his enemy, the Charizard. He immediately realized that some time had passed since his battle. There was no fire, or haze. He lowered his fists, looking around. Friends?
He was set in a hollowed log. He could feel the soft wingbeats of Butterfree around him. His burn wounds didn't hurt. On the contrary, they felt cold and soothing. The Butterfree had laid wet, sappy leaves on his armor. The medicine he used to heal Eevee when he first met her. She'd told them to do this, clearly, but where was she now?
Heracross stood. He could hear the soft swishing of water. The Butterfree landed around him, pointing their stubby arms towards the other side of the lake.
Heracross could make out another pokemon. A cream and green colored, foxlike creature. He'd never seen one of her type before.
She looked into the water, pondering her appearance. Leafeon tilted her head, as she pawed gently at her reflection. She missed her brown fur, but rather liked her new, more mature, sleek appearance.
Then she looked up. "LEEEEEEE!" She squealed with delight to see Heracross was ok. She darted to him, startling the Beetle. The leafy fox stopped in her tracks, not far from him. She saw uncertainty in his eyes. The two stared at each-other, unsure for a moment. ...Do you recognize me?
Leafeon expected the worst. Had their friendship faltered? Was her new appearance more than he could handle somehow? Did being evolved mean that they weren't friends anymore?
Heracross's expression was blank at first, unreadable. Then he began to walk away. Leafeon lowered her head, crushed that her friend could no longer remember her face.
Heracross stopped at a tree, and placed his mouth on it. It took some effort to bite through due to his fatigue, but he chomped into it, and reached his hand in. In a moment, he had rolled a small ball of sugary tree sap, and offered it to Leafeon. Of course I recognize you. My how you've grown! You must be hungry. Heracross rubbed her head with his claws gently.
The leafy fox pounced on Heracross's head, overjoyed, biting his horn. She was a little bigger now, and almost knocked the beetle off balance, but Heracross pulled her off and tickled her belly, the two laughing and play fighting.
The Butterfree and Caterpie were joyous as well, and Heracross moved to to punch holes in a tree for them to drink from. With a few mighty blows, a tree was open, and they gratefully sipped from it. He took some sap for himself too, filling his belly, and preparing to go back t sleep.
Leafeon licked Heracross's cheek, and Heracross buzzed happily in response, walking back to the hollow tree stump. It would be awhile before he was in fighting condition again. Leafeon faithfully sat beside him as he took a nap, guarding her infirm friend.
She looked at Heracross. He still had the scratch from when Eevee had scraped his armor with her claws long ago.
Even though I scratched you, you told me it was ok. You kept me safe, even if I was useless. I love you, my truest friend.
Leafeon curled up, grooming herself quietly as Heracross snored. The Butterfree swooped to and fro, celebrating the reunion and victory of their comrades.
And thus, the two guardians of the forest rested.
Friendship isn't what you're owed. It's just about loving, and knowing that you're loved in return.
FIN.
