Chapter Three

The EEVEE was lifted by the ARCANINE and thrown across the yard. As he got to his feet, he stood up weakly. He looked to the crowd. They watched in shock, yet seemed excitement. Toby stepped back a bit. He looked at the large Pokémon. Toby's fur rose as he shuttered. He didn't want to fight. He didn't want to hurt anything or anyone… or himself.

"Fight me, wimp!" The ARCANINE snarled.

"I-I don't want to...!" Toby whimpered. He looked up and the Pokémon head-butted him.

"Then I'll finish you," The ARCANINE pressed down on his skull.

Toby growled. He remembered the thought of his siblings teasing him, calling him weak. He remembered the thought of his parents abandoning him. He wasn't about to be the weak one. He turned his head and bit his paw. The ARCANINE yowled and reared. Toby rolled out the way before he could crush him. Toby jumped at the ARCANINE and tackled his head. He stumbled to the side and head-butted Toby. Toby quickly landed on his feet. He jumped out the way of he breathed a fire-spin. Toby opened his mouth and a shadow ball formed. The ball shot towards the Pokémon. He shook and looked at the house. He lay on the ground and started groaning.

"Ok, EEVEE I… EEVEE!" The lady cried. She reached in her bag and pulled out a super potion. She sprayed the Pokémon with it. He stood up, acting out his pain. "I'm ashamed in you! In the house!"

Toby flattened his ears. "But I-", He lowered his head and padded inside the home. He didn't bother fighting. He would lose this time.

Toby padded into the house and looked around. It was a cozy little place. In fact, he'd rather be in here then out there. He was scared of things that were worse than the ARCANINE. He padded around, exploring the place. He stopped in the kitchen, seeing a window. His ears twitched as he jumped to look out it. He observed the Pokémon playing, talking, and nuzzling. He flattened his ears. Now that he thinks about it, it is pretty lonely inside. He misses his brother. He wished he was there instead of here. He would actually have some company. Seeing all these Pokémon together, happy, he's thinking of the mistakes he's made.

He turned around. There's the door. He has a chance to run back. Run to his brother, crying, and his face hidden in his fur, screaming and crying over and over: "I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Cody, for everything I've done!" But he's probably gone. Living a life. Maybe with a family? Maybe… happy. He looked out the window.

"I'm staying," he told himself.