Chapter 7: Thoughts, Decisions, and a Training Montage
Do you know what it feels like to be truly betrayed? That someone you thought of as a friend would use you for their own personal gains?
The feeling is crushing and destructive, and eats you from the inside out. For a while, you have trouble trusting others, afraid of experiencing the same thing again, and you wonder if you'll ever be able to trust the person who betrayed you again.
This is how I felt as I sat behind the pokemon center, sitting on the edge of the cliff as I stared at the ocean. I wondered if I would be able to trust Ember again after what she had just done, and if I would even be able to continue my pokemon journey.
"I don't believe it was entirely Ember's fault." Dusk had been saying. She had been comforting me after everything that had happened, and had a theory as to what had occured.
Dusk believed that Ember's evolution had put her in a temporary heat, which would explain the scent that had thrown me over the edge, and I reacted as a male pokemon would have due to how I was part Zorua.
However, I didn't care about her explanation, and could only stare straight forward, my mind shaken and confused.
Ember had done the equivalent of raping me. She had taken my virginity without my consent, and only seemed to care about how she felt during it rather than how I felt.
I closed my eyes, tears mildly forming as my hands balled into fists, before I slammed them into the ground, not noticing the indents I created with increased strength. "Why does all of this have to happen to me?" I thought.
First I died, in an alleyway no less, and I wasn't even able to say goodbye to my family. Then, when things looked liked they were about to get better as I was brought to this world, I was kidnapped and put through a painful experiment. Once again, things started looking up as I became a trainer, only for me to be raped by my pokemon.
I placed my head in my hands, realizing all of this had only happened in five days. It hadn't even been a week yet, and I had already been through so much. Staring at the ground, I honestly wondered if I would actually be able to live in this world peacefully.
However, one good thing would come from all of this, as I was about to meet my next companion, who would help me through some of this trauma as I helped him with his.
While I continued to try and collect my thoughts, I heard some soft footsteps come from my right, where I had come from. "Oh, a human." I heard a soft, saddened young male voice say.
Looking to my right, I saw a sad looking Alolan Vulpix, his ears low and six tails dragging along the ground. "I'll just come back later…"
As the Vulpix turned around slowly, I spoke up. "No, you can stay." I said, turning my head back to the ocean. "There's plenty of space here, and you look like you need to be here as much as I do." I laughed softly, though didn't actually feel any humor at the moment. "And before you ask, yes I can understand you."
The Vulpix was silent, standing still for a moment before slowly walking up beside me and sitting down, staring towards the ocean as well.
Neither of us said anything for the longest time, both of us content to just sit there and listen to the calm waves of the ocean. The Vulpix was actually the first to speak up, though he was still as quiet as before.
"I don't trust humans anymore." He said. "They're always looking out for themselves, always wanting to get stronger and to have what they consider the best pokemon. But if you're not strong enough, or not good enough for them, they'll just abandon you."
"How long have you been here, listening to the ocean?" I asked.
"About two years now." He said. "My trainer came here one day, and just left without my ball. The staff released me, but they didn't even consider that this isn't even the right island I'm supposed to be on. With nowhere to go, I just stayed here, and have found the ocean's sounds are quite calming."
"Has it helped?" I asked, getting a slight questionable look from the Vulpix. "Listening to the ocean for so long. Do you feel any better?"
The Vulpix was silent for a minute after that, before finally answering. "No, it hasn't. There are days I just want to leave, to try and move on with my life and try to either go home or find a new trainer who will appreciate me. But I don't have the strength to leave myself, and I don't trust any human enough to be my trainer."
"What about you? Why are you listening to the ocean waves?" He asked.
I was quiet, before sighing and releasing my illusion, revealing my ears and tail. However, the Vulpix stayed quiet as I began to talk. "It's been a long five days. Mind if I vent?"
The Vulpix shook his head. "Not at all. I just talked to you about my problems after all."
I smiled softly for a moment before my smile vanished, and I started from the beginning. And by the beginning, I meant the beginning, starting from when I had died in my world. I'm not sure if the Vulpix believed me or not, but with the serious expression on my face and tone in my voice, I think he knew I was completely serious.
When I finally finished, ending with how Ember had raped me, the Vulpix let out a long, low whistle. "Wow." He said. "That's a lot to take in."
I nodded, agreeing with the statement. "And it's only been five days." I said shaking my head as I stared down at the ground. "I just don't know if I can keep going at this rate. I want to be a trainer, but if this is the pain I'm going to go through because of it, I don't think it's worth it."
The Vulpix was silent for a moment, and I wondered what he would say next, if he would say anything at all. However, instead of saying anything, he kept quiet as he placed a paw against my leg in a form of comfort.
"I can't say I know what will happen, but you can't give up on your dreams. Sure, you had some bad experiences in such a short time, but things will get better if you keep moving forward. I wish I had figured that out sooner."
Sitting there, I thought about what the Vulpix was saying. He made sense, and even after everything that had happened, I knew he was right, and I needed to keep striving to become the pokemon master. After all, I had my first Grand Trial next, which would mark the technical first quarter of my Alolan journey complete.
I smiled, looking up at the Vulpix, who was also looking better than he had when we first met. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks…."
"Frost." He said, holding out a paw, which I took and shook. "You're welcome. Being here for so long...it's given me a long time to think about some things."
Nodding, I stood up, ready to leave and go back to my room. However, before I left…"Would you like to come with me?" I asked Frost. "I can't promise it'll be easy, but I can promise you would be a large help to me and my team."
Frost looked uncertain for a moment, before thinking about what he had just said. Realizing now might be his last chance to meet a good trainer and finally leave this island.
Nodding slowly, Frost smiled up at me. "Yes, I think I would."
"Alright. Come on then. We'll head on back to my room so we can get you a pokeball, okay?"
"Okay then." And with that, Frost and I made our way back around to the front of the pokemon center, with me casting illusion upon myself to hide my tail and ears.
Soon, I would have to face Ember and confront her about what happened. It wouldn't be easy for me, especially since I would have to stay calm about it or end up upsetting Ember. Sure, I was upset about what had happened, but Dusk's words finally got through to me and I realize it wasn't fully her fault.
It would still be a difficult task though, and I would have to must up all of my courage before I talked to her.
But first, I had to get some food for Drift.
~Line Break~
"So since Dusk is inside your head, she can not only hear your thoughts, but also hear everything you hear?" Frost asked as we walked back to my room.
I nodded. "That's right. She can still hear, smell, taste, feel and see everything I do. According to her, it's a bit like an out of body experience, like she's experiencing everything but isn't in control. She can still think for herself though, and talk to me as well, though she is very quiet when she does."
Frost cocked his head, thinking. "That's kinda scary to think about. I mean, imagine being trapped in such a way for the rest of your life. I don't think I'd be able to live like that."
"I honestly don't mind." Dusk said to me. "It's actually a lot better than others would think, since I don't have to do anything and nothing is really expected of me. There are times I wish I could stretch my legs, but it honestly isn't that bad."
Nodding, I relayed the information to Frost as we approached the door to my room. With one of my hands full of a bag of food, I pulled out my keycard (which had been given to me upon check-in, and would be return on check-out) I prepared to open the door.
However, I froze, with the keycard inches away from the card slot. Would I really be able to go through with this? Could I actually confront Ember so soon after what she had done to me?
"You won't know until you try, and waiting any longer will just cause Ember to worry even more than probably already is right now. Just go in there and get it over with."
"Alright." I thought as I slid the card through the slot, unlocking the door with a small "click", "Let's get this over with then."
I opened the room door, and was greeted to the sight of Drift trying to figure out how to open the fridge door (which was empty since there was no food in it), and Ember was sitting on the edge of the bed, her head resting on her hands as she sat there.
Both looked up and over to me as I opened the door, and both let out a happy "Jack!" upon seeing me.
Drift ran over to me, and then looked at the bag in my hand. "Is that food?" she asked, sounding hopeful as I walked inside and closed the door after Frost followed me in.
"Yes it is. Give me a moment to get it out." I said as I placed the food atop some counter space in the room. "However, Ember and I need to have a talk before we eat." I said, looking over at the Braixen in question, making sure I sounded serious.
Ember seemed to notice, and she nodded her head though looked uncertain due to how suddenly I had left this morning mixed with my serious attitude.
Taking out the pokemon food, I placed two bowls down on the ground for Drift and Frost, and placed one to the side for Ember and a plate of normal breakfast for me for once we were done talking.
"Oh, I haven't met you yet. Hi, I'm Drift!" Drift said, introducing herself to Frost. I was glad that she seemed a lot more open and happy now that she was more comfortable with us. Hopefully with time, we'd even be able to get her flying again.
But I couldn't focus on that at the moment. Instead, as Drift and Frost began to get to know one another, I walked to the opposite side of the room, waving my hand to Ember showing her to follow me, which she complied and did.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, staring straight ahead at the wall in front of me. Ember followed suite, sitting down next to me, which almost made me flinch, but I managed to restrain myself.
I was silent for a moment, and the longer I was silent, the more worried Ember continued to look. Finally, after a minute had passed, she spoke up. "Jack? Did I do something wrong? If this is about last night, then-"
"Yes, it's about last night." I said, interrupting her while I continued to stare at the wall. "You crossed a line Ember, though I know it wasn't entirely your fault. However, you still fucked me without my consent, and that was not alright."
"What do you mean, without your consent?" She asked, sounding confused. "You seemed to consent when you stuffed your tongue up my-"
"I wasn't in my right mind!" I nearly shouted, causing Ember to flinch as I tried to calm myself. I took a deep breath, before continuing. "The pheromones you excreted from being in a form of heat affected me Ember, since I'm half Zorua. I've never experienced anything like it before, and thus had no resistance to it. So when your scent entered my nose-"
"Your instincts took over instead…" Ember finished for me, sounding concerned and mildly frightened. "So when I...and then when you...and..and…" Ember couldn't speak, realization coming over her.
"Yes. In a sense, you raped me Ember."
The world seemed to freeze for a moment, especially for Ember, whose heart froze at the full realization as the words seemed to slap her in the face. Tears formed under her eyes, and she began to hyperventilate as she turned towards me.
"Jack...I'm...I'm so sorry….I'd would never mean to hurt you….I just wanted to make you feel good and….and the urges….and you had helped me so much, I thought...I'd thought that since you helped me before...you'd help me then….and we'd both feel good and...and...AND I'M SO SORRY!"
Ember then proceeded to burst into tears, crying right beside me. I finally looked away from the wall, turning my head towards Ember's sobbing form. I wanted to feel bad, to feel regret for making her feel this way.
Instead, I felt nothing.
I didn't feel anger for her making herself feel like a victim as well. I didn't feel sadness from her tears. I didn't even feel thankful that she wouldn't have done this had she been in her right mind.
However, I didn't feel anything. At first, I could only look at Ember as she sobbed with a blank stare. I had no emotion, and I had no idea how to react in this situation. Thinking back, I believe my shock of being raped was being canceled out by my kindness and compassion, and with my emotions canceling each out, I felt...nothing.
I couldn't sit there forever though. Slowly, I moved my arms, moving them around Ember carefully, before fully wrapping her in a hug.
"Ja...Jack?" Ember questioned as I squeezed myself against her fur.
"I can't forgive you yet Ember." I said, which I knew was bringing more tears to Ember's eyes. "But I can try. But we need to continue our journey, and just try to forget about what happened. What's done is done, and even though we can't change what happened, we can at least make sure it doesn't happen again."
"You should just let me go." Ember said, though sounded like she was choking on her words as she said so. "What I did…"
"Can't be changed. But Ember, look at me." I said, pulling her head up and staring her in her deep red-orange eyes. "I may not forgive you now, but know that I will never let go, alright?"
Tears welled up under her eyes as she nodded, before burying herself against my chest. "I'm so sorry Jack!" I patted her back, allowing her to cry, and I felt a soft smile come to me as I looked down at her.
"I may not be able to fully forgive her now...But one day I know I will. We'll still be partners, but it's going to take a lot for her to make it up to me. As I look at her now though, I know that she'll definitely try to earn my forgiveness, and for now, that's all that matters."
Once I deemed we had hugged for long enough, and Ember was finally able to get ahold of her emotions, I finally let go of the hug and tried to get up. After a moment of holding onto me, Ember let go as well, before jumping off the bed and walking towards the dining area of the room.
"...and that's why I'll be joining Jack and the rest of you." Frost finished explaining to Drift. Drift smiled and nodded at Frost as she shoved more food in her mouth, before noticing Ember and myself walking over.
"Ember, come and meet Frost!" Drift said after swallowing the food that was in her mouth. "He's new here, just like me!"
A soft smile came over Ember's face, and she walked over and sat down by her food with the others, beginning to introduce herself to Frost.
I smiled at this, glad that some problems were being resolved as I went to eat my own food. I was also glad that all of my pokemon seemed to be getting along with each other as well, which was a mild blessing. After all, I don't think I could take the added stress if my pokemon hated one another.
As we ate, I began to think about what we would need to do before the Grand Trial. There would have to be a lot of preparations involved, including getting Frost and Drift up to level with Ember, and then to train them a bit more so we'd be ready for Hala.
However, there was only a single route left between us and Hala, Route 3, so we'd have to make the most of any trainers and wild pokemon we run into on the way. I wasn't too worried about level though with Ember, but I was a tad worried with Hala's Crabrawler which had the potential to use water type moves.
All of Hala's pokemon are fighting types, making them weak to flying, psychic and fairy type moves. However, Ember wouldn't learn a psychic move for another level, and could be hurt by his Makuhita if they knew any ground or rock moves as well as the Crabrawler's potential water attacks.
I would use Frost for fairy type attacks, but he's weak to fighting by being an ice type and doesn't know any fairy moves yet. To be perfectly honest, it would be best if Frost were to sit this fight out, unless I wanted him to get hurt.
Drift would be the best option to fight here. As a flying pokemon, she had an advantage against Hala's fighting types, is resistant to fighting attacks, and would normally be able to avoid most attacks coming her way as she'd be in the air while Hala's pokemon would be stuck on the ground.
That was the main problem with this strategy though: Drift doesn't fly. Also, after having watched her run and walk around since meeting her, I could tell she was extremely slow while on the ground, as her legs weren't that large compared to her body. This would not only leave her exposed, but it would give make getting hits on Hala's pokemon difficult as well.
I decided that I would have to come up with new strategies for battling with Drift, at least until I could convince her to fly. However, upon hearing how she didn't want to fly the previous night, I could tell that it would take some time and convincing before she would be in the air.
With breakfast done, and my mind sorted, I cleaned the dishes, gathered up all my gear, and prepared to leave the room. However, as we all stood before the door with my bag sitting next to me, I turned to Frost as I pulled at a pokeball.
"So, you certain you want to travel with us?" I asked him, in which he quickly nodded.
"Of course. I can't make myself stay here any longer, and I've already introduced myself to you, Ember and Drift, so there would be no point in me not joining."
I smiled, before clicking the button on the ball and lightly tossing it towards Frost. It hit him lightly on the head before opening up and shooting out the red light, which quickly engulfed and pulled him into it.
A moment later, the ball landed on the ground, before immediately clicking shut. I proceeded to grab the ball from the ground before hitting the release button, letting Frost back out before placing his ball into one of the slots on my belt.
With that done, we left the room and proceeded to check out from the pokemon center. As we stood outside, ready to leave and make our way towards Route 3, I decided to pull out my pokedex and check on Drift and Frost's stats, as I hadn't check to see just how much training we'd need to get them up with Ember.
Clicking the pokemon option on the dex, I was greeted to the sight of my three pokemon in little icon forms. All were at full health, with Ember followed by Drift, with Frost at the end. Ember was still level sixteen, and looking at Drift, I saw she was only level nine, so it would take so training before she would be ready.
However, as my gaze fell over to Frost's icon, I almost tripped as my moving foot froze with the rest of my, shocked by what I was seeing. Next to Frost's icon was his level, which I had to rub my eyes after seeing it to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
This is because Frost was already level forty three.
"Frost….how are you such a high level?" I asked him as the three looked up at me in concern after I had frozen.
Looking away, Frost sheepishly rubbed one of his front paws against the opposite leg. "I'd...rather not talk about it. Let's just say my last trainer was….different, and leave it at that please."
I was going to say something, but noticing the look and Frost's face, I decided to leave him be. "Alright. Just know that it'll probably be a while before you battle though. You'll just have to be our secret weapon for the moment, that's all."
Frost smiled at the last part, looking a bit better as we began to move again. "I'm alright with not battling for a bit." Frost said. "It's going to be a while before I remember how to use all my moves again anyway."
"So just how strong are you, huh!?" Drift said excitedly, jumping over to Frost. "Like, Raticate strong, Rhydon strong, Tyranitar strong, or Groudon strong?"
Frost chuckled at Drift's excitement. "Definitely not Tyranitar strong, and I'll never be as strong as Groudon. Close to around Rhydon strong, I guess."
Ember's eyes opened a bit, impressed, while Drift just gasped in surprise. "Wow, that's amazing! Can you tell me what it's like being so strong, or even better yet, tell me how to get that strong!"
Frost frowned a little at the second part, but quickly replaced it with a calm smile before talking about different types of battles with Drift. Ember listened in, but I was busy messing around on the pokedex to notice as we walked.
As we walked, I had found a internet browser option on the pokedex, making me wonder if at this rate it was just some kind of advanced phone at this point. However, after making sure that it had a form of incognito mode (which was marked as "Gengar Mode" as some kind of play on the fact he's the shadow pokemon).
Doing some digging, I began to look up the laws of the pokemon world, and more specifically, if what Ember had done to me the previous night was illegal or not. After about half an hour of research, along with us finally approaching Route 3, I finally had all the information I needed.
In short, what had occured the previous night was one of the largest controversies of the pokemon world, and whether it was illegal or not depended entirely on where you were. Each region had specific laws about it, with it being illegal in Johto, a mild offense in Kanto, and completely fine in Hoenn.
Here in the Alola region, things get tricky. It depended entirely on which island you were on, and how open you were about it. This is due to how the two largest islands, Akala and Ula'Ula, had the largest support and anti pokephils groups in the world.
On Akala, you could kiss your pokemon in the open and people would cheer for you two. On Ula'Ula, you'd get arrested on the spot and have your pokemon taken from you.
Due to this, Poni and Melemele islands were completely neutral to the subject, as there were both people who opposed and supported the idea on both islands. This often led to small riots in the cities of the islands if a display of affection were to occur in public, and the two groups were to see.
In essence, I hadn't done anything wrong here, but I would have to be more careful in the future if anything like this were to happen again, as it could attract the wrong kind of attention. After all, after reading through the laws, the pokemon usually got off fine. It was the trainers that would lose their license, pokemon and possibly go to jail for the offense.
I sighed, another subject crossing my mind: What would I do if this were to happen again?
With Ember, I believed that there wouldn't be any more problems, or at least I hoped. As for the others, Drift seemed to playful to know anything about sex, and Frost seemed to serious, and if I had to guess, straight, so I wouldn't have to worry about that from him.
As for me, I wasn't really interested in pokemon. Sure, some did look nice, but as I had mentioned before, I wasn't attracted to them. I was still really only interested in humans, so hopefully if I was careful, this wouldn't ever be a problem again.
While I put my pokedex away, I began to think on love. Would I want to try and find a companion while on this journey? As mentioned with my past relationships, I never really found one. I've always wanted a girlfriend, but the opportunity never really presented itself.
"I suppose it could be something to keep in mind." I thought to myself as we walked through the trial gate, beginning our trek into the mountainous area of Route 3. "I wouldn't mind finally getting a girlfriend. But just like back home, I'll have to find the right person first."
With my thoughts collected, I fully gathered myself and began the journey down Route 3,
ready to take on any challenge so we'd all be ready for the Grand Trial against Hala.
~Line Break~
Meanwhile, in a secret location somewhere between Poni and Melemele island, a meeting is held.
This meeting is secret, with only the eight occupants of the room who's features remain hidden in the darkness know of it being held. All of the figures sit around a round oval table, with four chairs on either side. A single seat remains empty at the head of the table, though none of the people expected it to be filled that day.
A single light shines on the center of the table, revealing a complex symbol that resembles the letter "D", but casts a strange feeling of fear from any who were to see it.
"I believe we all know what must be discussed next." A deep man's voice says, coming from the shadow of a large figure in the room. This was not the start of the meeting, for it had been going for hours now.
"Yes, we must discuss of what must happen to Rook." A quiet and hoarse voice said, coming from a hunched over figure. "He has failed us again, and this time even allowed himself to be captured."
"He must be eliminated as soon as possible." A serious woman's voice said, coming from a shadow of a woman who, even in the dark, held much authority in her voice and the straight posture she held in the darkness. "With a small team, it can be done in hours, and if it's my team, we can even make it look like an accident."
"That would be the best option." An almost childlike voice said, coming from the smallest shadow in the room. "But even then, we have to remember that he didn't completely fail us."
"The boy." A voice practically hissed, coming from the skinny silhouette of a shadowed man. "Rook actually ssssuccceeded in his experiment. But the boy essscaped before he could be given to ussss."
"So what if some kid is part Zorua. Big whoop." A slouched figure said in a feminine voice. "There's nothing that he can do that our teams can't do better. You want a trainer, go to Team Expedition. A research mission, Team Inquiry. Stealth, Team S. Really, must I go on?"
"Yes, but we could still use him, if not to at least give his abilities to our agents." A quiet, sad sounding voice said from an average appearing shadow. "Even if he's not useful himself, we can still use him ourselves."
"And that's why my team is looking for any new residents of the islands!" An excited voice said, coming from the final shadow that moved up and down in the shadows of the room. "However, old Rook didn't give us much to go on other than he's male, so if you could question him before you kill him, it would save my team a lot of work!"
"I'll think about it." The serious woman's voice said, with a small amount of distaste coming forth through speaking to the excited figure. "But perhaps if your team took things more seriously, you wouldn't need the extra information."
"Oh chillax already." The slouched figure said. "You're always giving everyone such a hard time, hardass. Now, can we end this meeting already? I have like, three naps I need to get back to."
"Alright." The strong male voice said. "With Rook's fate decided, and the boy to be hunted, and all other matters having been discussed, this meeting of The Deprived comes to a close."
All of the figures nodded, before each scooted away from the table and left into the shadows, and a moment later, the single light bulb in the room turning off, sealing the group's decisions in the darkness.
~Line Break~
After several hours of traveling and battling, we finally found a small clearing in the mountainside of the Route to set up camp in. Even though the sun was still out, we were all exhausted from the travel, and it would be dark soon anyway, so there was little point to not set up camp.
Looking over the pokedex, I sighed, wishing we had made more progress then we had. Ember had gained one level, putting her at seventeen and now knowing psybeam (along with having known flame charge at level fourteen, which would have been nice to know earlier), but it was Drift that had been what I was concerned about.
We had come across a Cutiefly, which should have been an extremely simple battle for Drift. However, Drift couldn't move around fast enough to hit the Cutiefly with a tackle, and so we had to slowly take its health down with absorb, as Drift only needed to see Cutiefly to do that.
Battles after that revealed the same to happen thing to occur with the move supersonic as well, meaning we couldn't even confuse our enemies unless they stood still directly in front of Drift.
The only reason we were able to level Drift up to level twelve by now was by slowly taking opponents down with absorb, or to send in Ember to finish the battle and give them both shared experience.
I rubbed my head with my hands, wondering what I was going to do. I realized I would need to talk Drift into flying, but seeing as it had only been a single day, I doubted she would be willing to open up about her problems yet.
As I sat and thought, I remembered what had happened with Ember, back when she froze in front of the Metapod. I had been able to see her past, and the memory that had caused her fear at that moment. If I could have that happen with Drift, I wouldn't need to specifically ask her about it, and I could even help her without her realizing I knew whatever her problem was.
The only issue with that plan was that I had no idea how to do it. What had occured with Ember was by sheer accident, and I had no idea how to repeat it. Looking over at Drift, wondering if it was just eye contact, I watched her as she talked and joked with Ember and Frost.
Her eyes crossed and stared directly into mine for a moment before turning to look at Ember, and I knew that wasn't it, or at least that wasn't enough.
Pulling out food for everyone, I realized I needed to figure out more of my abilities. However, with the sun setting over the horizon, I realized that one training montage for my pokemon partners was enough for the day, and so we finished setting up camp before preparing to go to sleep.
As I laid down on my sleeping bag, I thought out what would have to go down tomorrow. Somehow, I would need to train Drift up to level fifteen at least, which would be another three levels with the remaining quarter of the route left.
Then, we would have to face Hala in the Grand Trial. I was only planning on using Ember and Drift, as I didn't want to have to use Frost as it felt like cheating in a way. Even then, it would be quite the challenge, as Ember would be weak to Crabrawler, and Drift could only hit targets with absorb unless they were stationary.
Sighing, I began drifting off to sleep, with the others already in their pokeballs except for Frost, who insisted on staying out of his ball to keep watch until he was certain that the campsite was safe.
I shrugged when he had asked, and while I began to sleep, I felt glad that such a small yet powerful pokemon was helping keep me safe, and for the first time in several nights, I fell asleep feeling a bit more at ease, ready for the challenges of the coming days.
