Deerling and Stoutland

It was a soft spot to be, if damp. She took a deep breath and smelled the salty water, the earthy fur, the woody herb… the last being herself as a summer Deerling, the fur belonging to the Stoutland she was riding, and the first being the ocean. Filling the air, there was the constant slow movement of the currents, along with the quicker yet still constant paddling of the dog's legs. Heh, doggie paddle… it wasn't very funny.

Dinah opened her eyes and looked at the back of her rescuer's neck. Lifting her head up, she could finally see the shoreline. It was some relief, but not enough to cheer her. "How long have you been swimming, Richard?" she asked.

His ears lifted a little, but he kept looking straight ahead. "Dun worry none about that, lass. I've been pacing myself. We'll get to shore in good time. I even know this place; wait a bit and we can be in a nice inn, all dry and safe."

"That's nice," she said, although not spirited. She lay her head back down; her legs were feeling twitchy from lying down so long, but there wasn't anywhere to get up and walk around. "I can't believe it ended that way."

"Who said anything about it ending? We're alive, and you've still got that magic talismum thingamabob."

That. Dinah looked down at it, a strange infinity symbol in gold, with a prismatic crystal in the center. When one looked through the spaces inside, one would see things in the near future, the possible results of doing things. it had seemed like the most amazing thing when she'd found out how to use it, but now it seemed like a curse, making her the focus of those with evil intentions. "But what about everyone else? They're all gone."

"Now we don't know that," he replied, still swimming along.

"But you saw how bad that wreck was!" People who were willing to destroy a boat with hundreds of Pokémon on it, just to get the talisman from her, that was what it had brought her. It had been bad enough when they wanted to just kill her, forcing her to hide in unfamiliar territory while they walked nearby, speaking of how they'd hide her body and what horrible things they'd do with it. "It was an inferno on the ocean, in a million pieces. We barely got away."

"But we did get away," Richard echoed. "Other's might've done the same, and the ocean Pokémon are pretty good about rescuing land folk. But it's big out here, and the sun rose not that long ago. I might've missed 'em swimming out here too. And we ain't the only ones who want to see a revolution. We can meet some new friends, find our old friends, and get back on track."

"I'll just end up causing grief again," Dinah said. The shore still seemed a long way off. "I'm not strong enough to make use of the talisman. I should just give it to someone like you and go back to the mountains." Back where she knew she was safe if she just hid in the grass.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Miss Dinah," he said, swishing his tail and flicking water around. "I feel like the thing came to you for a reason. You have a way with people, getting them to do things they wouldn't normally do. We've made a lot of progress now because of you."

She gently bumped his neck with her head. "You're too nice, Richard. I'm just not sure anymore. I thought I could be a hero by using the talisman to make things better. But I didn't even see that attack coming, and I'm the weak one in battle. I try to make others happy, but is it really that much help?"

"Course it is," he said. "Maybe you ain't the greatest in battle, but not everyone can be. But you do give us hope that we can have a brighter future. And you make people feel good about what they're doing, even if it is dangerous. Cheer up; no need to look sad."

"You can't even see me like this," she replied.

He lifted his head some, then said, "True, but you know what I mean."

Dinah sighed. This had all seemed like something wonderful when she'd first figured out how to use the pendant. With it, she could stop people from getting hurt, or know what to say to encourage them. But then there were people who wanted to abuse it, and there were attempts on her life… and now this tragedy, where she didn't know if anyone had survived other than her and Richard.

Continuing to swim, the Stoutland said, "You know, I've been around a while, seen a lot of things, and from it all I've learned many things. Like with a hero, I don't think the hero is the one who battles the best, or is the strongest. Or even knows the most. A hero is the kind of person who does something to change things when no one else will even try. A hero is someone who does something good even if it's tough, or who encourages people to realize that they can make things better if they stand up for what's right. It ain't easy, I know, and it's tempting to give up with things are looking so dire. But if you stick with it to the end, then it'll be worth all the trouble."

"You think I can really change things?" She put her head down on his shoulder. "I haven't been anyone special until the talisman showed up."

"You already have been changing things, and I think you could even without that thing. It just helps. And I'll be here to help you; I won't let them hurt you."

Maybe she wouldn't be a hero without the talisman. But since she had it, maybe she could prove herself worthy. It would be nice to know if others had survived the attack to. "Thanks Richard. When we get to land, we can search for others."

"That's the way! We'll get things set right."

And so he kept swimming to shore. If he was willing to swim for most of the night to get her to safety, then surely she could brave the threats and bring the fellowship back together again.

…

Deerling Black entry: The color and scent of their fur changes to match the mountain grass. When they sense hostility, they hide in the grass.

Stoutland White entry: This extremely wise Pokémon excels at rescuing people stranded at sea or in the mountains.

I just had to see how a big dog with long thick fur would be good at sea rescues. And ramble a bit about heroes; it's been on my mind lately. Apparently, so have shipwrecks.