Patton leaned against a tree. He sighed and slowly collapsed to the ground. That's when his Pokeball opened up and Piplup came out. Patton started to cry without noticing his Piplup.
"Piplup? Pip, Pip, Piplup?" Piplup said, tilting his head. Patton looked up and noticed his Piplup staring at him with worried eyes.
"Don't worry, Piplup... I-I'm fine." Patton started to cry again.
"Are you sure?" A voice asked. Patton looked up and saw Logan standing in front of him.
Patton stared at him. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw you walk away into the forest. It's dangerous to go alone, so I followed you." Logan said. "Not in a creepy way, but-"
Patton laughed. "I know what you meant."
"Right..." Logan muttered. He sat down in front of Patton. "Piplup seems to really care for you, even though it barely knows you."
"I guess it's an empathetic Pokemon." Patton smiled.
Piplup looked at its trainer and smiled. "Piplup!"
Patton looked up at Logan. "How old are you by the way?"
"Hm? I'm seventeen, why?" Logan raised an eyebrow.
"You just look young to be a Pokemon Professor." Patton giggled. "I'm sixteen. Same with Virgil. Roman is seventeen."
"He acts childish to be seventeen," Logan said.
"I know... but he's always been there for me whenever I needed help." Patton sighed. "I just wish him and Virgil would stop fighting and actually get along for once."
"Let's see if Thomas has calmed them down." Logan stood up. Patton also stood up and retrieved his Piplup to the Pokeball. They walked back to where the others were.
Thomas was looking at the two of them while their backs were turned towards each other. Thomas saw Logan and Patton. He walked over.
"Where were you two?" Thomas asked.
"Doesn't matter. Did you calm them down?" Logan questioned.
"Sort of. They won't look at each other." Thomas said. Patton walked to Virgil and Roman and looked at them.
"Guys, please, listen to me. We get along just fine. Why is it that now you guys fight? I just want you guys to get along..." Patton's voice cracked a bit and wavered with every word. He had tears in his eyes.
Virgil noticed and looked at Patton. He felt guilty for fighting with Roman over something stupid. "He's right... we're friends, Roman. Sure, we fight sometimes, but we always made up. Making up makes Patton happy. We love it when Patton's happy."
Roman was silent for a moment. "I do enjoy Patton's smile when we make up... Virgil?"
"Hm?" Virgil glanced at Roman.
"I'm sorry," Roman said.
Virgil was silent, making Patton worried. He finally spoke up.
"I'm sorry too," Virgil said.