Author's Note: Almost a complete month to update! I am extremely sorry. The first week I did some typing, but mostly wasted time. The second week I went camping with no time off, so I have an excuse for that time. These last two weeks I was switching bedrooms with my brother (I don't have to share anymore!); I did have a little free time, but I must admit that I wasted it playing the new Pokemon Conquest (best Pokemon game EVER). Once again, I am dreadfully sorry for this extended delay and hope the update makes up for it. Oh, the good news is that there is one chapter left (or maybe that's bad news...), though I now must concentrate on the next chapter of "Leaf of Time". There will be a bonus chapter, though, but I'll explain that in the next chapter. -EeveeInHeat
Silver
- Chapter 18: The Past -
The warm sunshine that had been shining on the forest was slowly leaving as clouds appeared overhead. However, Silver could still tell that the sun would be setting soon. Glancing over at Eve, he could tell that she was starting to get tired again. Even with the brief respite at the city earlier, they had been walking all day, and it seemed Eve still hadn't gotten used to traveling again.
"Do you want to stop?" Silver asked.
Eve shook her head and continued walking. Silver could tell she did, but let her decide and continued padding along beside her. He made sure to watch her carefully so that she didn't trip with her slightly dragging paws. However, watching her once again reminded Silver how her question. He needed to tell her soon, but how?
His thoughts had just started to wonder, when something abruptly landed on top of his nose. Blinking his eyes in surprise, Silver saw that it was a drop of water. He had just realized what this meant, when another drop of rain hit him on the back.
Looking around quickly, Silver saw a strange tree nearby that was still green and full. Though the other trees were bare and leafless from their short winter, this one didn't seem to have been affected and would be able to provide some overhead protection.
"This way," Silver said, starting toward the shelter. Eve wordlessly followed him as they quickly made their way through the rain that was slowing picking up. They were a little damp, but mostly still dry when they finally reached the tree. However, the rain was still picking up until there was a steady shower coming down.
Under the strange tree was small needle like things that seemed to have fallen from the tree itself as leaves. Contrary to their shape, though, the needle leaves made a rather comfortable spot to lay down.
Silver's stomach took the moment to growl. After eating regularly for a while and walking all day, Silver was already hungry. Though the rain wasn't very inviting, his stomach was overpowering his hesitation. "I'm going out to get some food, okay?" he said, turning to face Eve. Eve had already begun to dry herself off and nodded a little in confirmation.
Taking a breath in needless preparation, Silver padded out into the rain. The rain felt cold as it hit him, making him shiver a little at first. Silver sniffed the air to try and find some berries. However, the rain dampened the usual scents, leaving him clueless.
Sighing, Silver headed out in a random direction. The rain continued to fall until his fur ended up clinging to his sides from the steady downpour. As he padded along, Silver's thoughts returned to the question. Eve had patiently been waiting for his answer for weeks now. He just needed to up work the nerve to tell her.
Pausing, Silver took a deep breath and closed his eyes as he tried to work up his courage. Finally, he resolved himself to telling her as soon as he got back. He wouldn't wait any longer to tell her how he felt.
Letting out his breath, he realized he could smell the faint smell of berries. Turning toward it, he soon found a Pecha berry bush, the fruit looking fresh from the rain. Pecha berries would be the perfect fruit to bring before he told her. Grabbing some in his maw, he quickly made his way back to the still-green tree, his tail wagging the whole way.
Silver quickly slipped into the cover and placed the berries down. He eagerly looked over at Eve, only to see that the Eevee was curled up asleep. She must have fallen asleep waiting for him. Eve looked peaceful in her dozing, so Silver disappointedly let her sleep and ate his dinner.
Leaving Eve's share in a dry spot, Silver carefully laid down next to Eve. The combination of the surprisingly soft needle leaves and the comforting sound of rain quickly lured Silver asleep.
(0)
Slowly waking up, Eve kept her eyes closed and curled up tighter, not wanting to wake yet. Realizing Silver wasn't next to her, Eve raised her head up to look for him. She was surprised when she noticed that it was already morning, the rain gone, though clouds still covered the sky. She had accidentally fallen asleep last night.
Silver wasn't in sight, but there were a few Pecha berries nearby. Hungry, Eve happily started eating the few berries. The sweet berries were just the thing Eve needed to fully wake her up. Her hunger mostly gone, Eve looked around again, but Silver still wasn't around.
Unable to track him with the damp conditions, Eve decided to wait for Silver to get back and rolled onto her back to relax on the soft pine needles. Her thoughts immediately drifted to Silver and her. Could they ever become more than just friends? Did he like her as well? Is he even willing to come with me? Eve wondered. Even after several weeks Silver still hadn't decided. What's taking so long?
Eve's eyes shot open as a thought occurred to her, only to see something approaching. Rolling back over into a crouch, Eve saw that the advancing creature was a sleek, blacked furred quadruped. The Pokemon had a lighter, gray undercoat that was revealed on its face and chest. Though there were several scars on it, Eve was still able to recognize it as a Mightyena.
The dark type was slowly coming up to her, a sinister expression on its face. As it got closer, Eve could see a long, angry scar running across its face and through its closed right eye. "You look familiar," the Mightyena murmured rhetorically. "Yes, though you've cleaned up some. You're that Eevee from the city aren't you? I thought that newbie took care of you. I guess I'll have to do the honors then."
Eve was unable to reply as she slowly backed away from him, her tail slowly slinking between her legs. The sight of the powerful Pokemon instantly was triggering her recessed memories. Instead of the Mightyena standing in front of her, all she could see was that other Mightyena back at that island. Eve couldn't stop herself from shaking as the memory of that Mightyena above her resurfaced.
The Mightyena chuckled, probably thinking he was intimidating, and prepared to slash at her. Suddenly, Silver shot out nowhere and rammed into the Pokemon's right side, its blind spot. The surprise blow sent the Mightyena sprawling to the ground nearby.
Eve's breathing slowed as she forced the dreadful memory away with a shake of her head. Silver glanced back to check on her, before facing the Mightyena once more and letting out a low growl.
The Mightyena, who he thought was Mark, got up, chuckling as he trained his single eye on Silver. "And you're the newbie that was supposed to kill her. Were you also the little spy for Dereck?" he asked, confirming his identity. His sudden calm demeanor changed, his hackles rising as he got into a battle stance and growl menacingly. In a much angrier voice, Mark continued, "Do you see what you caused me! I lost my home and my eye! I'm going to make you pay!"
Finished, Mark lunged at Silver with his jaws open. Remembering Jack's training, Silver jumped forward between the Mightyena's legs and leapt up into its stomach. Winded, the dark type retreated a small distance to prepare another attack.
Panting a little, Silver glanced back to check on Eve again. Eve was crouching under the tree still, looking as though she was deciding to join in. Mark took the advantage in Silver's lapse of attention and lunged once more. Too late to dodge, Silver gathered the power in his tail and twisted on his paw to swing at the oncoming attack. However, Silver's paw slid in the mud from last night's shower, and he fell onto his back.
Before Silver could move, the Mightyena was above him and latching down onto his front left paw. Silver let out a cry of pain, only barely remembering not to jerk his leg away as Jack had taught him. Instead, his pushed his leg further into the Mightyena's mouth, activating its gag reflex. As Mark coughed, Silver pulled his leg away and rolled quickly out from under the Mightyena.
As Silver got up, he timidly tested his footing with his paw. Wincing, he brought his left leg against him, though he didn't spare time to inspect it as Mark was recovering from his coughing. Seeing he had ended up on the Mightyena's blind spot, Silver charged forward to tackle it once more. However, he quickly slipped and fell with only three legs to run on. Another whimper let him as he fell on his bit leg.
Mark turned, ready to attack, when Eve joined in and rammed into his side in one of her smashing tackles. The Mightyena flew away in a heap with a yelp of pain. Remembering Eve had to take time to recharge, Silver quickly got back up and limped in front of her.
The large dark type got up slowly, still growling to show his aggression. Mark immediately lunged again, furious at the heavy blow. Firming his footing better, Silver swung on his good foot and rammed his iron coated tail into the Mightyena's jaw as it got close. Mark reeled away from the powerful blow, a few droplets of blood already trailing out of one side of his mouth. Unable to use his left leg to balance him, Silver fell heavily after his spin.
Before Mark could retaliate, Eve rammed into him once more and sent him flying again. As Silver once again got up to cover Eve, Mark got up as well with his seemingly endless endurance. Silver kept the groan from escaping his mouth and got ready for another attack, his breath coming in short pants.
The Mightyena growled deeply at them once more, though he seemed to be breathing just as hard as them. After a short pause, he said, "You may have gotten lucky this time, but I will get you back one day." Scowling at them, he turned and slipped away through the forest, a slight limp appearing when he was a little distance away.
Relieved, Silver let himself sink to the ground, though he watched his hurt leg. Worried, Eve crouched down next to him and checked the wound. Blood matted a large portion of his leg, blocking the view of the actual damage. Glancing up to see Silver watching her examination, Eve hesitantly began licking at the revolting blood to clean his leg. Silver winced slightly at first, but didn't stop her. Trying not to concentrate on the thought of what she was doing, Eve cleaned the nauseating liquid off him and checked his leg again.
There were several small punctures in Silver's legs where the Mightyena had bitten, though they didn't appear to be very deep. Remembering what her trainer did for things like this, Eve picked up a nearby, large leaf, though dead, and placed it against the wounded area. Silver winced again, but seemed to understand as he twisted the stem into a little knot to keep it on him.
"Are you okay?" Silver asked worriedly.
Eve nodded a little, the distant memory trying to come back.
"Thanks for helping," Silver said quietly, before suddenly nuzzling her cheek.
Eve's full attention snapped to him, a full blush rising to her cheeks at the contact. Silver was looking away shyly. Before they could say anything else, the clouds opened up once more and another steady drizzle began.
Getting out of the open, Eve helped Silver limp over to the pine tree to rest and stay dry. Silver had just sat down, when he suddenly gasped. "I left our breakfast out there," he said, motioning toward some trees.
"I'll get it," Eve murmured, needing a moment to think about what just happened as she quickly trotted over to the area.