Celedon City, many years ago…
It was a cloudy, winter day.
Five-year-old Juliana walked tentatively away from the playground behind the condominium where she lived with her parents. Her shoes had become damaged, and she was trying hard to keep them together. She knew how to get home, but it was becoming difficult. And she had quite a way to go. A light dusting of snow began, flakes landing delicately on her pastel yellow coat.
She briefly glanced at the game corner off in the distance. The one that her parents warned her very sternly to never go near. She then stared at the Celedon Gym where her mother would currently be. But she decided quickly that it was too far of a walk with her broken shoes. Her only choice was to keep heading home.
That was until an adult just happened to walk by. It was a young woman that appeared to be in her twenties. Juliana turned to her and rushed up to her as she kept walking. She called out, "Excuse me!" Her light brown twintails bouncing with her movements.
The woman stopped and faced her, obviously surprised at the sudden appearance of a child.
"Yes?" She answered politely.
Juliana held her foot out, "My shoes are broken. I can't go home."
"Oh my goodness." The woman replied, "How did this happen?"
Juliana explained, "I was playing at the playground with my friend and they broke."
The woman checked their surroundings, "I see. Where is your friend at?"
"My friend went home already." Juliana answered.
"Where are your parents?"
Juliana pointed, "My mom is at the Gym, and my dad is at the company."
The woman looked at the direction Juliana pointed when she said company, "That one right there?"
Juliana nodded the affirmative.
The woman lit up, "Oh, I work at that company! Wait a minute… I know who you are! You're Liam's daughter."
Juliana exclaimed, "That's my dad!"
The woman took a phone out of her pocket, "I work with him. Let me give him a call."
She pressed some dials and held the phone up, "Hello Liam? Yes, it's Jane."
His voice came through the speakerphone, "Jane? I thought you left for the day already. Is everything okay?"
"Dad!" Juliana spoke up, "Dad, I broke my shoes!"
Liam was startled, "Wha…? Juliana? Is that you, sweetheart?"
Jane explained, "Your daughter's shoes look like they're about to fall apart. She's gonna have trouble getting home. We're outside the condominium."
Liam immediately replied, "I'll be right there. Hang on… let me save this document. Aaaand… all right! I'm on the way!"
They could hear him running through the phone, then the sound of an elevator. Minutes later, they watched him practically leap out of the front door to the company. He looked back and forth before spotting his daughter and co-worker standing together.
Juliana waved, "Dad! Dad, my shoes broke!"
Liam rushed over, "I can see that. Wow, we just bought these." He turned to Jane, "Thank you so much for helping her."
"Of course! No problem!" Jane replied, "I'll be on my way now."
Juliana called out, "Thank you! Bye-bye!"
"Bye-bye!" Jane waved back.
Liam picked up his daughter while taking a closer look at the shoes, "Hmm… I wonder what we can do about this. You aren't hurt, are you?"
Juliana shook her head, "No dad, I'm okay."
"Oh good, that's the most important thing." Liam smiled, "Now, let's get back home."
"What about mom?" Juliana asked.
Liam assured her, "We can tell her once she gets home. Don't worry, we'll fix this."
He carried her the rest of the way home.
Once safely inside, Liam immediately called out for his two favorite Pokemon, Citrine and Zircon. They both came running immediately.
"Hey you two, I'm back home early! Look, Juliana's here too!"
"Hi! Hi!" Juliana happily greeted the two Ninetails. They both eagerly hopped on their hind legs to sniff at her. First Liam had to take Juliana's shoes off to look at them, once that was done, she rushed over to the more spacious living room to play with the Pokemon.
Present time…
Juliana remembered this day vividly, and how kind a complete stranger was to her. Sure, it made her miss her dad more, but it inspired her to always be kind to others. The funny part, her shoes turned out perfectly fine in the end. Her dad was able to fix them to look like new again.
Quietly, she put a pair of shoes into a suitcase, ready for her semester at the Blueberry Academy.
"Juliana? Are you okay?"
Her mother, Adeline, climbed up the steps to her bedroom. Juliana replied, "I'm okay, mom. I'm just packing."
The parent and child exchanged a hug. Adeline responded, "I'll miss you dear, make sure you keep in touch okay?"
"Of course I will mom." Juliana smiled, "Don't worry! You know Nemona, Arven, and Penny will be going too. So I won't be alone!"
"I know dear, just be careful anyway. Take care of yourself and your studies too!"
"Yes, mom."
Citrine and Zircon rushed up the stairs side by side to give Juliana some affectionate licks. Juliana laughed, "You two! Don't worry, I won't be gone forever!" She gave them both head scratches.
Outside, Liam's spirit proudly watched the house.
"You've travelled far daughter, and there's more to come. If only I could be there in person to see it. I'm so proud of you."
The spirit of Sada came to stand by him, "It's quite an experience. Watching your child head off into a new world. Even if you know it's for the best, you still can't help but worry."
Liam nodded, "That is true, Sada. But I know she'll be okay."
Sada smiled, "I can say the same about my son."
The stars sparkled above them, shining bright like the future of their children.
Author's Note: I know this fic was short. But hopefully you enjoyed it anyway!
See you next time!