"Damn, it's raining hard!" Ash loudly complained. Pikachu never understood why his best friend was like that. Personally, he loved rain; perhaps it's natural, since this was a pretty fierce thunderstorm as well. But then again…
"You're telling me. Well, at least we're not stuck at the lab with Gary." Said Leaf with a small laugh. She and Ash disagreed on a lot of things; the way Pokémon should be treated and Gary were not on that long list. She was petting Eve. The little Eevee was rather shy. Well, from anyone but Ash and Leaf. Ash, because he saved her, and Leaf, because, well, she was Leaf.
"That's the only good thing about picking up the Professor's packet. And the cons are limitless: having to go to Viridian, not being able to go home because of some annoying rain…" Ash started, but was startled out of finishing it by a blur rushing by.
"Purrloin!" A small purple feline ran into the Center, heading straight to the counter. It was panting hard, and, despite soaking wet, the cat still managed to jump onto the counter with a surprising amount of grace. He, no, wait, she- the tail was longer and the whiskers were slightly longer, mewed to Nurse Joy. The other people in the Center looked at it in puzzlement. But Ash and Nurse Joy could both easily hear the desperation and urgency in the Purrloin's otherwise adorable mewling. Both Ash and nurse Joy grabbed their things and ran after the Purrloin, who, after catching her breath, pelted back out into the rain. Pikachu, Leaf and Eve, cursing lightly, ran after them.
"What the hell just happened?" A couple of trainers were slightly confused.
But most people just waved it off. "Ditto."
The Herdier lay on the ground. The Purrloin was weird; he was mildly surprised at seeing a fellow Unova-native Pokémon, but that was it. Damn cats, always thinking that they're better than everyone else. He knew Death would claim him soon. At least he would die outside, tasting the fresh air and freedom, not at the stinking place humans called "the black market".
Huh, was it footsteps it heard? It was too loud for that small little feline; probably humans. He must be imagining things; no way would human scum be outside in this downpour. He yawned loudly. At least he would die a free 'mon.
"Do you think Herdier will make it?" Purrloin was surprised at how concerned the boy was for the fate of some Pokémon he didn't even know! The girl was worried too, her eyes showed that much; however, her muse was interrupted when the kind woman with pink hair- the boy called her 'nurse Joy'- answered.
"I don't know. He was out in the rain for far too long. We did all we could. The rest is up to him. All we can do now is wait." Nurse Joy replied with a frown. She was clearly exhausted from running so fast and treating the canine.
Now that the adrenaline wore off, Rita felt a wave of exhaustion hit her. The sweet notion of sleep was so welcoming…
That night, Rita dreamt of something she hadn't seen in ages. She saw her mother die again. Please, don't leave me!
"Purrloin, Purrloin calm down!" Rita woke up, only to see the girl from before restrain her. The Swords Of Justice- she was covered in cuts! It was a human, Rita thought. But then, her guilt and grief caught up to her.
"There, there, Purrloin, don't cry." Leaf sat, trying to comfort the Purrloin, who, after holding back her tears for Arceus knows how long, finally broke down. She saw in front of her not the proud narcissistic façade that the feline had so carefully constructed. She saw a broken child, who just wanted to be reassured that everything will be fine.
"How is Purrloin?" Ash asked, while bandaging up his scarred friend. The cat was sleeping on her lap, having cried herself to sleep.
"Broken. I don't know what happened to her, Ash. But I do know she's seen the cruel side of life too soon for a child." Leaf looked at the Purrloin sadly. "She's a child, Ash! A child! She doesn't deserved it!" Now it was Leaf's turn to cry.
Ash said nothing. He knew his words wouldn't make a difference.
"Pika Pi." Pikachu woke up, looking at them with a puzzled look. Which quickly turned into a smirk. Which, in turn, became a grin.
"Oh shut up, Pi."
A few days later, Leaf and Purrloin stood at a graveyard. They were here in front of one specific tombstone. This tombstone was dedicated to the Herdier that they saved. But not just to him. But to the memory of Rita's mother as well.
And it's done. Yes, I've started re-watching the Animaniacs recently. Anyways guys, rate and review. And check out my main story too if you liked it.
