Day 25 (Continued) – 11: 50 A.M.

Fuckity fuck fuck. I lost the kid, AGAIN! I'm soo screwed!

Thank you Mr. Feraligatr! You saved my life! Mr. Feraligatr? Where's Cyndaquil?

I didn't want to tell Caterpie that I lost Cyndaquil. Maybe I just lost him when I ran. I did run pretty fast and those miniature arms of his probably couldn't hold on tight enough.

Cyndaquil is at home safe. I have good hearing!

I made childish hand motions that indicated that my hearing was really good. Caterpie giggled and cheered, jumping up and down like how a normal child would. I smiled.

Will you be safe now? Or do you need me to drop you off somewhere?

Caterpie nodded.

I need protection…

'Something that Lyra and Silver need.' I mentally snickered, I just couldn't help but add that last thought. Then I became serious. This was no time to be joking around, especially since Cyndaquil is missing.

'AGAIN' my thoughts bothered me with that annoying 5 letter word. LEAVE ME ALONE! I screamed at my mind. I placed Caterpie on my head and fast walked back to the house. I quickly looked left and right without turning my head, that way Caterpie doesn't find out that I'm actually trying to find Cyndaquil.

Geez… What is wrong with me? Before, I wouldn't give a crap about if Typhlosion lost his kid or not. Now… I just don't know! Have a really become weak…?

I processed those questions through my head. Then I finally realized the answer.

No. I am not weak. Sometimes, the things/people that show what they're feeling are the strongest people. After all, a real man sheds real tears. Maybe Silver finally has become a real man… …Never mind. I haven't seen Silver cry yet.

-Time Skip (15 minutes)-

I'm bloody hell dead meat… No, I'm FAR beyond dead meat! If anyone knows a word for it, let me know! I'm in some deep shit right now! I can't find Cyndaquil! Oh where could have he gone?

Uncle Feraligatr? Where are we going? We've been circling the same place for 15 minutes now…

Yeah, Caterpie was still on my head. I thought that I would've found Cyndaquil easily and we could've just taken home Caterpie quickly and go back to Lyra's house. But nope, I STILL haven't found Cyndaquil! Everyone else could kill me! Just PLEASE let me find Cyndaquil! I had to make some kind of new plan. Maybe… maybe Cyndaquil WAS on my back, but he got off to plan something on his own to save Caterpie. Maybe I should check back in New Bark Town instead of staying on this same path… I jumped out of the patch of grass and landed at the entrance to New Bark Town. Caterpie cheered, I smiled as much as a could, which is only a small half-smile.

Heeeey! There's Cyndaquil! I thought you said Cyndaquil was home…?

THANK YOU! Someone loves me up there! I looked around quickly for the bundle of fluff.

Where? I don't see him? Maybe he left the house because he got worried about you.

He's over there in the red pokey bush!

I turned to look and froze at the sight of Cyndaquil trying to get out of the long stem rose garden that Lyra's mother planted in the front yard as a border. He kept pushing the stems away as he rubbed his eye with one arm, but whenever he let go, they swung back and jabbed him. Cyndaquil looked like he was ready to cry from being poked all over by the sharp thorns. I ran over and carefully tried to pull him out. He had some scratches on him, nothing bleeding or fatal, but considering he's still a baby, I wouldn't be surprised if it hurt him somewhat. I exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.

Cyndaquil? What happened? I thought I told you to hold on and stay safe!

That sounded broad, right? Cyndaquil sniffed while wiping his eyes with both arms, curled up cutely in my paws.

I-I did! B-But I-I seen the-ese h-huuuuuuuge pweety fwowers! I thought I-I could grab them fast and c-come back! B-But when I went to t-take them, s-something hard hit my head and I went r-rolling inside!

That's when Cyndaquil began to wail and cling onto my fingers. I sighed, well, at least that explained it. I just have to find out what hit him so I can blast that idiot for making me so worried. If I had hair, it'd be turning white by now! I felt Caterpie inch down my head down my neck to my arm and hand. He wiggled around Cyndaquil in a hug.

There there, Cyndaquil! I'm right here!

Caterpie!

They gave each other a tight hug. I smiled, they looked so happy and cute like that… Well, now we have to take Caterpie home now, at least there's no rush. This time, I've learned my lesson, I'll take my time. I carried them both into the forest on both of my hands.

So, where do you live, Caterpie?

I asked him. He pointed towards a miniature apricorn gathering of trees.

I live over there! Mommy and daddy should be home really soon!

I nodded and walked over there. I placed Caterpie and Cyndaquil down. They can give each other a last hug before we depart again. I watched as they said their goodbyes once again, until we heard something screech.

CATERPIE MY BABY!

A pink and blue blur swiftly flew in front of me then charged and smacked me on my chest. It was hard enough to knock the wind out of me and send me flying back couple feet away. I growled and sat up. It was a pink Butterfree and a blue Butterfree with a scarf around its neck. I sighed, it was Caterpie's mommy and daddy. Okay, nothing to worry about. They flew down towards Caterpie and Cyndaquil.

Is my baby all right? Are you all right, little Cyndaquil?

The pink butterfree spazzed at the children. They nodded with wide eyes, possibly at the fact that two small Butterfrees tackled me and sent me flying. That is some brute strength they've got. The blue Butterfree looked at me with a glare. I gulped, I can't hurt them! They're Caterpie's parents and this isn't a Pokémon battle!

How dare you pick on little kids! Especially when they're defense-less against a big brute like you! Caterpie is still too young to do any damage! You could kill Cyndaquil too!

The blue Butterfree did another tackle move and knocked me into a blue apricorn tree. The apricorn tree shook violently and the fruits fell. A couple landed on my head, more lumps started to grow. My vein pulsated so much in irritation that it was already becoming large and visible.

Wait! Mommy! Daddy! That's Cyndaquil's babysitter! Caterpie inched his way to me while Cyndaquil ran to my aid. Mr. Feraligatr took Cyndaquil to pick flowers and I met Cyndaquil that way and we had a tea party!

The parents looked wary but nodded at the story. I quietly sighed out my irritation and let my veins go back to their normal size. I was THIS close to fighting them, and not at the same time. I picked up Cyndaquil and held him close to my chest.

I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to go to my master's girlfriend's house before our trainers become worried about us.

They nodded, obviously relieved at the fact that a fire type and a big water type brute like me will go away from their precious baby. Whatever, I just want to get home and get some rest as soon as everyone gets home. I need the rest. I quickly departed for Lyra's house, making sure that Cyndaquil was close to me and WON'T get lost no matter what.