Chapter Nine

Burgand sat in silence as he ate the food that Amari had fixed for them. He felt the tension between them as he took every bite. As he finished the last few bites, he sat his plate down and took a deep breath.

"I don't even know where to start," he began to say, "about how sorry I am."

Amari almost rolled her eyes. "Then don't. I'm the one who can't handle being around these creatures that are everywhere."

Burgand thought for a moment. "I just wish I could make it up to you somehow." He grabbed a pokéball from his belt. "You seem to be okay around fire types…, I know it's a longshot, but I have one right here that might help you warm up to strangers' pokémon."

Amari's eyes shot open and she looked at Burgand. "I don't know, Burgand. I think it might be just another disaster and I'll end up being more of a burden to you."

"Nonsense." He replied, "If anything, this is all I can do to try and make up for the huge jerk I was." He waited for Amari to give a reluctant nod before he opened up his pokéball and a Growlithe came out, letting out a howl before looking at Burgand. His tail was wagging furiously as he looked happy to see him.

"This here is Virgil, my Growlithe." Burgand said, before kneeling down with Virgil, letting him lick up the plate of food of what he didn't finish eating. "He's a friendly pokémon that wouldn't hurt a Flygon."

Burgand motioned Virgil over to Amari, who was holding her legs up to her chest with her teeth clenched together tightly. A tiny groan could be heard coming from her.

"Now Virgil, don't you get any closer. Just let her come to you, boy." Virgil sat down in front of Amari, his tail still wagging and his tongue sticking out.

Magnar was the one who made the first move, curiously crawling over to Virgil and giving him a sniff before looking back to Amari with a proud look on his face, as if he had protected her from a ferocious beast.

Amari swallowed and took a deep breath before letting her legs down and slowing starting to reach a hand out to Virgil, who closed his eyes.

"Take your time, he won't move any closer if you don't want him to." Burgand said, standing up and walking towards them, crouching in between Amari and Virgil.

Amari's fingertips barely touched the fur on Virgil before her hand completely engulfed his head and she gently patted him, retracting her hand promptly afterward.

Virgil opened his eyes and barked a "Grow!" before Burgand continued petting his head for a job well done. Amari was breathing much heavier, but looking at her hand and back at the Growlithe. She had grown accustomed to fire types, that this didn't seem as difficult to her. Perhaps that was the reason she was able to choose Magnar to be her partner after all.

Burgand looked back over to her with a broad smile before turning somewhat more somber. "I know it doesn't really make it up to you, but…," he switched his gaze back over to her. "Amari, I…,"

A sudden rustling in the trees could be heard picking up as Amari could have sworn she heard her father's cry for her.

"Amaaariii!"

Amari bolted up, interrupting Burgand. "Did… did you hear that?!"

"Amaaaariiii!"

"Oh my God!" Amari ran toward the forest, screaming, "Daddy?!"

A piercing screech could be heard, echoing from within the forest. Magnar began to squirm wildly in her arms as he fell out, rolling further into the woods. Amari crouched down to pick him up, but was shoved back by a blurred object with enough force to push her onto her back. Burgand rushed behind her to help her up, but when she sat up, Magnar was nowhere to be seen.

"MAGNAR!" Amari shouted before rushing headfirst into the forest.