Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
Piplup POV:
I eagerly followed Oshawott across the sandy beach; I couldn't wait to feel the water envelop me in its relaxing heat. Finally, I reached the shoreline and waded out into the calm sea without hesitation, quickly paddling out until I was no longer able to touch the bottom. I felt my body relax as the saltwater seeped through my feathers and onto my bare skin, caressing it in its calm, soothing warmth.
The best part about this turned out to be the life ring. It kept me afloat with no effort on my part. I could just relax and enjoy the moment, feel the water soaking me in the best way possible.
There weren't many waves, either. It made it much more pleasant to float leisurely, although I could hear Pikachu grumbling about the "awful" surfing conditions.
I looked to my left and noticed I wasn't alone; Axew floated by on his stomach, not once opening his eyes. He looked as relaxed as I was, and I smiled at this; I still felt bad about snapping at him earlier, after all.
I looked to my right and saw Oshawott float over. He also looked relaxed, but unlike Axew, he was floating on his back. His scalchop rested on his chest, above the water.
I took another look at his scalchop and compared it to the drawing I had made in the sand. They definitely looked the same, but I still didn't understand why I had drawn it in the first place. Was it really that interesting?
'Aw, whatever. You're supposed to be relaxing right now, not thinking' I remembered, nodding to myself and shelving my thoughts. Just like I promised myself I would.
I observed my surroundings and saw Meloetta sitting on a rock sticking out of the water. She looked pretty with the way the sun was shimmering down on her and the ocean breeze was blowing through her hair. For some reason though, I did not think she was "beautiful" or "gorgeous" this time; just pretty. It felt like something else was even prettier than she was, and I wasn't sure why. Or who, for that matter.
I paddled my way over to her and was quickly blasted with a stream of water. I whipped my head over and saw Oshawott laughing at me, having just blasted me with Water Gun. 'Well, two can play at this game!' I thought in annoyance as I charged up a Hydro Pump. With a cry, I fired my much more powerful blast of water at him, scoring a direct hit to his face. Now I was laughing at him, he got what he deserved!
"Hey, knock it off!" Oshawott yelled at me as he swam over, clearly irritated.
"You did the same to me!" I retorted. He scowled.
"I hit you with a Water Gun, not a powerful Hydro Pump!" I decided to taunt him a little, wanting to see him get flustered.
"You deserved it, Clown-face!"
Oops, I instantly knew I took it too far. He got right in my face, glaring daggers at me. The anger radiating from him was intimidating, but I did my best to return it. Seriously, why did he hate that name so much? Regardless I owed him an apology.
I was torn from my thoughts, and my chance to apologize, as a large wave came out of nowhere and swept us away. I noted afterward that it had dragged us quite far away.
"Beak-face" I heard Oshawott mutter as he splashed off. I sighed; I probably deserved that. I hadn't meant to be mean, it just slipped out. So, I paddled my way back to apologize.
Or I tried to.
I found I couldn't move my flippers, feet, anything! And I was quickly drifting away in the current. 'Not paralysis!' I thought in realization.
At least I wasn't drowning, thanks to my life ring. However, I was quickly floating away from everyone, thanks to said life ring.
And straight at a group of spiky, sharp-looking rocks sticking out of the water.
I tried again to move my flippers to swim away but found I still couldn't.
I floated into the rock spires and came to a sudden halt in the middle of them. I could feel that my life ring had got caught, likely on one of the rocks, and was stuck. I gasped in shock and fear as a VERY sharp and pointy spire appeared in front of me behind a wave. I knew I would be seriously injured when the next wave pushed me into it. Maybe even dead.
I desperately tried to move my flippers, feet, anything at all! But paralysis kept me frozen. I tried to scream for help, hoping someone could save me! But paralysis silenced me. I felt like crying, I knew this might be the ugly end. But paralysis prevented it.
I was utterly helpless as I heard another wave approaching.
Suddenly I felt two arms grab my sides and rip me out of the life ring, just before the wave immersed me, pulling me beneath the surface. I felt whatever had me curl around my front in a protective manner, like it was trying to keep me safe. When I resurfaced, I was able to turn my head slightly to see who my savior was.
It was Oshawott.
"I've got you Piplup, don't worry; You're safe now!" he yelled out as he struggled to swim while holding me. I felt more paralysis leave me and instinctually wrapped my flippers around him and held him tight and close.
Very close.
My head was nestled into his chest, snuggling his wet fir. It felt so soft and comfortable. Little strands were sneaking through my feathers and touching my bare skin, making me shiver in delight.
His scalchop was right below my beak. His personal tool that I found interesting. It looked so hard, so powerful. Yet it was not pristine; all the lines and scratches on it showed how much he relied on it. I wondered what it tasted like. Did it even have a taste? Wow, why was it so salty?
My eyes snapped open as I realized I was nibbling the edge of his scalchop. Quickly I pulled my beak away from it. I guess I took the taste question a little too far. How embarrassing!
"Okay, we're back" Oshawott said as he stopped swimming. I looked and saw we were now almost on the shore. I attempted to move my legs and found that I could, so I stood up. Apparently, the paralysis was now gone, for which I was very thankful.
"I'm really sorry for calling you cl-, er, that name" I apologized, looking down in shame. "I didn't mean to call yo-"
"I know, it's fine" he interrupted, surprising me with his warm tone. I looked up at him and was greeted with a happy smile. His happy smile. "You gonna be okay now?" he asked.
"Yeah, thanks to you" I told him. I was so grateful; he probably saved my life.
I glanced around us first to make sure we were alone, then wrapped my flippers around him in a big hug. I felt his arms quickly do the same as he hugged me back.
"Anytime, Piplup" he whispered.
I smiled. This felt so nice, so comfortable. So right.
After a half minute or so, but what felt like hours, I broke the hug and looked him in the eye. "Looks like everyone's eating" I noted as I pointed at them. "I'll be there in a few, there's something I need to do first." He looked a bit disappointed but was still smiling as he nodded.
"Alright, I'll see you there" he answered before walking off.
I watched him as he walked away and gasped at the red patch he had on his back. He must have got that when he was protecting me from the rocks. I bet the saltwater made it really sting too! Yet he had never complained about it; or the cut on his tail for that matter. He didn't even mention them; had I not seen them, I wouldn't even know they were there!
And he did it all for me.
'I think…I think I might really like him' I thought. 'He's so nice, and caring, and sweet, and cute, and…just perfect. Yeah, I think I do really like him, a lot. Maybe?' I exhaled in frustration. 'Oh, forget waiting and relaxing. I needed help with these feelings now!'
With my mind made up, I started walking towards Dawn. I knew just who I needed to talk to. The only Pokémon who knew my entire past. The only Pokémon who I could trust with anything. My best friend.
Buneary.
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