Shane's heart began to pound as he walked over to the professor. How was he going to tell him that he got his Pokémon hurt? That was the last thing you wanted to do as an aspiring trainer: screw up in front of the professor.
'How is he gonna trust me with anything, let alone a Pokémon?' Shane asked himself, sweat dripping off his brow. He stopped in front of where Professor Linden was sitting, fearing the worst. As he slowly got to his feet and opened his mouth to speak, Shane tensed and braced himself.
'Here it comes…' Shane thought, closing his eyes.
Suddenly, he felt a large hand hit him gently on the back. Again, it was gentle, but the strength of the large professor caused Shane to fall forward. The bellowing laugh of the professor rang in his ears, adding to the boy's confusion.
'What? I-is he not mad?' Shane asked himself, straightening himself up.
Professor Linden showed a humongous smile, saying, "Young man, I would like to thank you for your courage!"
"Oh… I… I didn't really do…," Shane tried to figure out what to say, but he was at a lost.
"Oh, don't be modest! You saved me and my precious daughter! I don't want to know what would've happened if you brave young men hadn't saved us," the professor said, turning to the little girl sitting at the table. "Isn't that right, Violet?"
"Uh-huh. Also, if you hadn't come to save us, I wouldn't have met my future husband!" Violet then ran over to Ben, hugging his arm and rubbing her cheek on his. Ben immediately began to blush, trying his best to slowly scoot away from the adoring little girl.
Damian laughed behind him, his arms crossed. "Ben, if you don't make me the best man at your wedding, I'm going to be upset."
Ben looked down at his shoes, feeling extremely uncomfortable at the affection he was receiving. "I… uh… didn't really do much, really."
Violet then wrapped her arms around Ben's neck and squeezed, causing him to choke. "Aww, isn't he cute?"
"The cutest," Damian answered with a smirk.
As all of this unfolded, Elizabeth ran over to Shane, admiration in her eyes. "I couldn't help but overhear, but you saved these people? That's so awesome!"
Shane blushed, scratching his cheek nervously. "Oh, i-it was nothing, honestly."
Then, Damian walked over to Shane and put his arm over his shoulder, wearing the biggest grin on his face. "Yeah, that was great and all, but… Shane, how cute did you think she was in that uniform?"
Both Shane and Elizabeth opened their mouths in shock and turned beet red. "D-Damian!" Shane shouted at his "friend", who was laughing away.
Violet walked towards Elizabeth, still holding Ben in a choke hold. "Wow, you're so pretty! I want to be as pretty as you when I grow up!"
"O-oh, thank you," Elizabeth said kindly, but nervously. "You're very pretty, too."
Ben grabbed Shane's sweatshirt sleeve and pulled, trying to get his attention. "S-Shane… help… me." His face was beginning to turn blue from the choking hug.
Unfortunately, Shane couldn't hear Ben's cries for help, because he felt a hand grip his shoulder. He turned and saw Professor Linden, who had a serious look on his face. "So… is Pyrten okay?"
Shane's eyes widened. He forgot to tell the professor about Pyrten's condition, but it seems he already knew. He opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. It seemed as if the guilt was beginning to choke him, making him unable to speak.
"Oh, Pyrten's going to be just fine. We're taking care of him right now." As Elizabeth said said this, the double doors leading to the infirmary were opened behind her. She turned and smiled. "Well, here they come now."
Pyrten was laying on a tiny gurney being pushed by Floraroo. It seemed to be sleeping, its body moving up and down through slow breaths underneath the sheets. The fire on its head had returned to its normal size and intensity. It looked so peaceful, it's eyes closed and its mouth slightly opened as it dozed away.
Everyone walked up to the sleeping Pokémon, surrounding the gurney. Shane looked at him, feeling the guilt continuing to push on his chest.
"Is Pyrten okay now?" Shane asked Elizabeth, his tone worried.
Elizabeth smiled, nodding her head. "Yep. According to Floraroo, it was given Sitrus berries to help regain its strength and plenty of fluids. She checked its body thoroughly for any scrapes or bruises, but Pyrten seems to be in perfect condition now." Floraroo backed this up with a nod.
Shane sighed in relief, putting his head on one of the rails of the gurney, looking down at the floor. "That's good. That's… good."
As Professor Linden checked out his Pokémon, he heard Shane say, "Professor Linden… I'm so sorry."
He looked over at the boy, who was still staring at the ground. His body was shaking slightly, indicating that he was sobbing. His face was hidden from the others, but they could see the tears falling on the floor.
"I-I've wanted to be a Pokémon trainer for so long, and I thought this was my chance to become one. But… I couldn't do it. I hurt your Pokémon." He looked up now, showing his tear-stained face.
"A-and I don't know what it is, but… during the battle, when Pyrten got hurt… I felt it, too. N-not in the same way, but… I felt the same anguish… the same fear it did…"
Everyone stared at Shane in stunned silence. Professor Linden's eyes were wide, as if some question he had for so long was being answered.
"I… I didn't know what it was, but… I care so much about this Pokémon. A-and… I just met it today. But… it feels like I've known him forever." Shane put his head back down on the railing. "I know he's your Pokémon, and I hurt it. But… it wasn't on purpose. I could never do that to Pyrten. So… I'm sorry."
Shane began to walk towards the exit, his head held down. Everyone watched him walk away, not sure what to do or what to say.
Well, except for one person.
"Shane, wait!"
Shane stopped walking, turned to see Professor Linden slowly walking towards him. He had an odd look on his face that confused Shane. It was like a mix between confusion and clarity.
With his head down, Professor Linden said, "Ever since I caught that Pyrten, he has been one of the best partners I've ever had. But… there was always this feeling that… we didn't go together. I believe in Pokémon having trainers they are destined to be with…" He moved closely to Shane, placing a firm grip on his shoulder. "... and I think you're destined to be with Pyrten."
Shane couldn't believe what he was hearing. Pyrten… destined for him. It just didn't sound right to him. Then again, that feeling just wouldn't go away, the one that said he wanted to train Pyrten, no matter what.
"I-I…" Shane tried to say something to the professor, but was cut off by the raising of his hand.
"Ah, don't say anything. I've already made up my mind," Professor Linden said, smiling. He then looked over at Ben and Damian, his smile growing even larger. "However, I think I need to show you two something before anything is settled."
Professor Linden walked over to his bag on the table, the eyes of the others following his movements in anticipation. He reached into the front pocket and pulled out two Poké Balls.
"Wait," Damian said in confused excitement.
"T-those are," Ben gasped, unable to breath.
With a chuckle, the professor threw the two balls into the air. As they hit the ground, waves of light shot out of the now-open spheres. As the light dissolved, what stood among the teens were two Pokémon they had never seen before.
"Cubero!"
"Staaaaaagnewt!"