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After a narrow escape from the group of thugs, M.E.W., Speedy and Fluff arrive through the cave entrance and find themselves at the very spot where M.E.W. and Speedy met. They sat down near the waterfall to rest for a bit.
"Okay! We're out that mess now!" M.E.W. cheered.
"We make a better swell team, don't we?" Speedy said.
"You bet we do, Speedster!" M.E.W. replied, saying Speedy's nickname for the first time.
"Up high bro!" Speedy said, summoning one of his vines and giving M.E.W. a high five.
The two then looked over at Fluff the Buneary, who had her feet dangling over the waterfall and was looking at the sky. They both approached her as she was in her train of thought.
"How are ya feeling?" Speedy asked.
"I'm fine, just thinking..." Fluff said.
"Thinking about what?" M.E.W. questioned.
"Well... I was thinking about how I lose to those creeps earlier. When they struck their final blow on me, I couldn't stop crying. I felt powerless." Fluff sighed, starting to feel sad as she looked down into the water. "They must be right. I am weak."
"Hey, you're not weak! It was pretty brave of you to stand up to those thugs by yourself. That takes a lot of guts, even if you lost." Speedy comforted.
"Thank you for trying to cheer me up, but it's okay. I am weak... It's nothing new." Fluff replied.
"May I ask you something?" M.E.W. started, "What were doing inside Ragged Mountain?"
"I was training. As you already saw, I'm not very strong so I practice my fighting skills in the mountain everyday," Fluff explained, "My goal is to be strong like a fighting type so that way, I can overcome my weaknesses. But the two, that you fought earlier, interrupted my training and tried to steal my bag of food, not to mention mocking me because I practicing my fighting type moves. When I told them to leave me alone, they picked a fight with me and I tried to defend myself. However, I couldn't even last one minute with them and I got hurt badly. That's when I tried calling for help but when no one came, I decided to run away from them. After a while, they caught up to me and beat me up. I tried my best to fend them off but it was no use."
Speedy and M.E.W. were listening to Buneary's explanation carefully, paying attention to every detail.
"This wasn't the first time they attacked me. They've done this many times before. Always pushing me around and beating me, all because I wanted to be strong."
"Gosh, that's awful!" M.E.W. empathized, with a concerned look.
"Hmph! Don't worry. If they do come back, we'll teach em' a lesson they'll never forget!" Speedy said.
"Right! We won't let them hurt you again!" M.E.W. added in.
"Thanks, but I think maybe I should give up on my goal of getting stronger. If I can't protect myself from those bullies then why bother?" Fluff sighed sadly.
As soon as Fluff said that, M.E.W. flew on front of her and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Fluff, you must listen to me. You should never give up hope just because people pick on you. You can't let them take away something you want to be." M.E.W. objected.
"How do you know?! Have you ever been mistreated because of who you are?!" Fluff yelled as tears started forming in her eyes.
"Actually, I have." M.E.W. answered.
"...Really? But you're such a nice person. You saved me." Fluff said.
"Yeah, but the people in town think I'm an outlaw because my unusual fur color. I may look dark but I'm not, however the townspeople just wouldn't understand. I could've given up hope and left town but then..." M.E.W. turned to look at Speedy, "Speedy here saw good in me and became my friend. If he wasn't here for me, I don't know what I would've done."
Speedy smiled and approached Fluff.
"Yep, and I was glad I did that. Ya see, the speedster here lives by a certain motto. If ya have at least one friend in your life, there's always hope to live another day."
Fluff just eyed the duo and let everything they were saying sink in.
"Speedy's right," M.E.W. agreed, "And besides, those bullies were probably just misguided or even jealous of your spirit and dedication. They aren't you, so they don't know whether you're strong or not. You can't let them take away your dream. If they try to make give up your wish, then just don't listen to them because they know nothing."
"Really?" Fluff asked.
"Yes. In fact, I think getting stronger is a getting stronger is a good thing to wish for, and if you keep practicing, you'll achieve that wish. And with friends, you'll get it done even faster and, if you'll let me, I'll be your friend." M.E.W. said as he extended his hand toward Fluff.
Fluff's eyes widened.
"Really?! You would do that for me?!" Fluff asked.
"Certainly." M.E.W. confirmed.
"Me too dudette! I'm always up for makin' friends." Speedy added.
Fluff looked at the two closely and noticed that they were being sincere. Deeply touched by their words, she started crying a little as tears rolled down her face.
"*sniff* I accept! I accept your friendship, the both of you!" Fluff answered and grabbed M.E.W.'s hand as the two did a handshake.
After a bit, the two released from the handshake and Fluff wiped away her tears.
"Thank you so much! You're right, I'm not going to let those bullies deprive me of my goal. I'll keep practicing and get stronger! Soon, I'll be strong enough to handle anything that comes my way!"
"That's the spirit! Chase that dream!" M.E.W. encouraged.
"I will! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!" Buneary cheered as she started punching the air, near the waterfall, with her ears at high speed to pump her spirits back up. She now had her confidence back thanks to her two new friends. She stopped after a few seconds and looked back at M.E.W. and Speedy.
"Not only have you saved me but you've given back my confidence and became my friends!" Fluff shouted with glee, "Oh how can I ever repay you?"
"No need. That look of happiness on your face is all I need." M.E.W. replied.
Speedy on the other hand had a different plan. He though to himself for a moment and then an idea hit him.
"Actually, there is something you could do for us." Speedy said.
M.E.W. looked at his partner with confusion as he approached Fluff and began whispering something in her ear. When he was done, Fluff gave a wide smile and nodded as both of them turned to M.E.W.
"It's time to clear your name bro!" Speedy anounced.