a future is the only thing I can't promise you

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

A quiet, but clearly distressed sound and the futile scuffling of some sort of struggling creature caught Trip's attention and he quietly followed the sound. It quieted, the scuffling becoming less frequent, more muffled by sifting through soil, having bored though the dry leaves and underbrush, but he stayed tracking the sound until he found its source:

He found an injured Deerling, its fall coat more a muddied brown than orange now, dragging its hooves through the soil, body heavily resting on the rough bark of a large tree, rising and falling rapidly with each breath.

Its ears pricked and it tried to tuck in one leg, curling its neck to make itself smaller, flinching away. Was it crying? Breath quickening, it kept trying to draw in the rest of its legs, like a fawn hiding in tall grass (there was none here), but it was clearly far from home and two of its legs only trembled feebly instead of moving as they should, bleeding profusely, one foreleg ringed just above the hooves by something that cut sharply to the bone, the hindleg on the opposite side so mangled it rested in four corners.

What a waste... who would do such an awful thing? It could've grown to be a strong Pokemon, but the way it was now, it would have to effectively lose two legs just to live. It wouldn't be able to do anything, not even fend for itself. Death was better than a weak life like that, he decided resolutely. Mind made up, he drew carefully nearer, reaching for a pokeball. The Pokemon's panic increased and it cried out again, thrashing its remaining, good legs.

"... calm down," he said in a gentle, but detached voice. "You won't hurt anymore."

He didn't want to look at it anymore, however, quickly averting his gaze.

The Pokemon stopped crying out, but stared at him with wide, fearful eyes.

"It'll stop soon, okay? Trust me."

It was still scared, looking between him and the pokeball, but it couldn't really escape and the struggling only tired it out more, so it settled on watching. Trip released Lampent without throwing the ball. "Lampent, let's send this one away, okay?"

Transfixed, Deerling's eyes reflected the growing, blue-purple blaze.

Comments

[rovingunova]

"Stop!"

Before Lampent got too close, a strong voice cut through the surrounding trees and a formidable shrouded figure leapt down from above how he did that nobody knew! The Champion, Alder, cut in front of the eerily lit ghost Pokemon, blocking Deerling from it. Was this boy really going to give up on this poor Pokemon so easily and steal its soul?

"This little one's spirit is not yours to take. Stay back!"

Glancing back at the Deerling it was obviously in a very sorry state and out of its element but... Alder was confident they could give it a fighting chance. Not only that but the injuries it had sustained didn't look entirely natural. Something gleamed just above one of those hooves... a snare? A human trap?

Ignoring Lampent for a moment, he kneels at the Deerling's side and gently strokes its head. Matted, clammy and cool to the touch... they wouldn't have much time to save it.

Alder looks back at Trip sternly. "This Pokemon is frightened enough. Call back your Lampent!"

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

The voice caught the attention of both trainer and Pokemon and they turned sharply. The shout would have startled him if it were anyone else, but he recognized that voice. He would recognize it anywhere. But Alder, why here?

Although mentally, he was trying to argue in favour of a mercy killing, physically, he couldn't help doing exactly what Alder told him; he stepped back, as if by instinct, and Lampent followed.

The Deerling pricked its ears and was frightened by Alder's sudden arrival, but showed more interest in him than anything else. When he came to stroke its head, it calmed quickly, leaning into his touch and closing its eyes, starting to relax. It was very young and although it was frightened of the humans (yes, that certainly was a man-made trap), it sought and accepted any comfort it could get. It was already so weak...

"... this Pokemon is crippled, Alder sir. It would be easy prey in the wild and constantly in need of protection. A life of weakness like that— that's a fate worse than death. It won't suffer for long if you'd let us handle it. It's half-finished, anyway."

While he spoke, Lampent's flame did not shrink, although it was growing so subtly that it seemed unchanging. It hadn't been given an order to stop from its own trainer, after all. Part of Deerling's soul was already within it and it had no intention of relinquishing it.

[rovingunova]

"Not yet..."

Though he could see and understand the boy's view of putting an end to the Deerling's suffering, he could't give up without trying. There was a sadness in his eyes as he watched over the young Pokemon, though he made no attempt to explain it as anything other than concern for the dying Deerling.

Besides... leaving his Lampent to take its spirit? What a horrible way to put it out of its misery.

Alder stood, facing Trip and his Lampent. He took a Pokeball in hand, eyes focussed on the young trainer.

"You see a Pokemon struggling for its very life and call it 'weak'. A Pokemon as injured as this, yet still clinging to life deserves a chance. If it comes through, would you really still see it as nothing more than weak prey?

Call back your Lampent."

It sounded more like an order than a request. If Lampent wouldnt stop then the Pokemon currently in Alder's hand would surely make an appearance. He'd force it to back off if he had to.

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

Deerling opened its eyes, more slowly and weakly, when he left its side, and even struggled to get up as if to follow him, but it was too injured and weak to do so.

Trip briefly looked away from Alder to watch the struggling Pokemon, before focusing on the Champion once more.


"... if it comes through, I would call—" he began defiantly, but the raised pokeball and commanding tone silenced him.

He couldn't handle the intensity of that stare, that voice. Why was it turned on him? It was very different from a battle, this encounter. Was he standing up to the Champion? Any other adult, he could, but—

What would be a sharp, seething glare when wielded against anyone else, was undone by a trembling lip and shaking fists. Lampent looks between Trip, Alder, and its meal (hopefully?) a bit lazily, wondering what was going to happen, but feeling largely unconcerned.

"Alder sir! It isn't rational!"

His voice is higher than he would've liked, weaker and more overcome with emotion. While he faced little difficulty in acting with dutiful detachment mere seconds before, sadness and frustration came pouring through the cracks trying to argue with Alder, as if the matter had suddenly become (or was it always?) very personal to him.

"Even if someone were to throw himself from the highest building, his heart would still beat 'til the last second, wouldn't it?! That doesn't mean he wants to live, it's just a body doing what comes naturally to it! This Deerling is still breathing because its lungs are working, it's automatic, even the fear and need to protect itself is, it's not a matter of spirit! And anyway, even if it recovered, it wouldn't be able to move... it'd be weak and helpless. It'd depend on others forever. It might even regret being saved. Isn't that too sad? It doesn't know any better. Why not kill it now before it has to face something like that?"

A battle might be necessary to stop the boy's Lampent, its trainer was perhaps too cynical and projecting his own values on the Pokemon to be argued with right now.

(Or we could settle this through a battle, like all important matters.)

[rovingunova]

Seeing Trip's struggle in voicing his line of thinking, the conviction in his voice, halts Alder a moment. The youth was thinking logically - a Deerling who couldn't walk, couldn't show its true potential even if it wanted to, or even survive to try; was he being selfish in trying to save it? Was Trip being selfish in trying to make a choice for the Pokemon?

When he next speaks, his voice is softer.

"There is no shame in depending on others sometimes but... to feel as though you are a burden, that is different. A Pokemon that cannot be an equal to its partner; how useless it must feel..."

Whether talking from experience or simply sympathising with the matter at hand, it wasn't clear. However, the Champion seemed torn right now. Choose the logical path or follow his heart. He'd failed already in the past... was there any point in trying now?

That was for the Deerling to decide. He turned his attention back to the wounded Pokemon, taking just a step back, a short distance between them.

"Deerling, you must be in a great deal of pain right now, I know. But I want you to make a choice. If you still have the will to live, come to me."

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

The tension eased with Alder's softer reply and Trip was no longer shaking, only quietly resolved. However, Alder's initial reassurance is met with an unreadable expression, then came Alder's final decision:

... let the Deerling decide?

It wasn't ideal, Trip felt. Or rather, it was too idealistic and that was its primary flaw. It was the most fair for them, but he honestly felt Deerling was not in any capacity to decide for itself.

Nonetheless, he moved to stand the same as Alder, looked directly at the watchful Deerling and said, "If you want the pain to end quickly and to never suffer the frustration and humiliation of being too weak to help yourself, come to me."

Deerling flicked its ears and looked between the two thoughtfully, then made its mind up. Gritting its teeth, it curled its injured leg despite being wracked by pain just to move it, and rose on two, shaking legs. It stumbled, swayed, and jolted when it tried to catch itself with its mangled hind leg, but it persevered.

Although its vision was blurry with tears, it could make out their forms against the fiery yellows and reds of the autumnal trees.

It lifted a hoof, nearly tipped again, but caught itself faster, hobbling at first, but breaking into a determined, bounding run on the last spurt, crying out as it fought its way to Alder.

Trip was stunned, staring in wide-eyed disbelief. Still failing to understand what was going on, but beginning to grasp that Deerling desperately wanted to live, he made a waving down gesture, which Lampent registered as an order. With Lampent's relinquishing what it had consumed of Deerling's spirit, the Pokemon regained more strength to quell the shaking of its legs, to raise its head, the determined glint in its eyes.

"B-but..." Trip stammered weakly. "You'll be stuck that way forever! We can end it faster, if that's what you're worried about! It'll be over in seconds, it won't... I don't... understand?"

[rovingunova]

Watching the Pokemon struggling so much with the effort and pain of its movements was incredibly difficult to watch... but Alder felt that he should wait to see the determination the little Deerling was so eager to show. He let it stumble, painful as it must have been, and crouched down to catch the Deerling when it had finally closed the distance.

"Well done. You can rest now," he told the injured deer, fondly petting it behind the ears before looking back to Trip.

"Calm down. Young man... this was not a test to see who was right and who was wrong. You wish to help this Pokemon, I can see that. You won't watch a Pokemon suffer unnecessarily. That is something you should be praised for.

However, it is not the only way of looking at things. This Deerling has shown that it still has the will to live. Try to look at things from a different point of view. Three legs or four, it doesn't matter. This Pokemon still has something to live for."

The Champion stands now, seemingly thoughtful. Where was the nearest Pokemon Center from here? What was the fastest way to get there? Going by air would be useful, but it would be hard to take off in a place like this and the shock might cost them dearly.

Perhaps... this young trainer should try to take control of their predicament. It would help to expand his mind at least.

"...Deerling needs urgent medical care. Will you help me save it?"

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

It was hard to understand... Trip watched it and cringed when it fell&mdas; softly, into Alder's arms.

It settled peacefully, soothed by is touch.

He felt ashamed of the resilience displayed by this young Pokemon he had been so quick to label weak. But Alder acknowledging he had only wanted to help, rather than arguing what was right or wrong... it was completely different from dealing with Burgh.

That was the difference between a Champion and a Gym Leader, wasn't it? Not just the power, but the experience and wisdom. He wasn't sure if it made his heart ache more for being forgotten again ("young man," is it?) or if he felt happier to be praised.

... he wanted to focus on that happier feeling, but it was hard to do, in the present situation. He really did feel for that Deerling, didn't he? And he had just forced himself not to see it ad alive anymore when he had condemned it.

It watched him unflinchingly, but he still felt the need to look away.

"... uh? Me?" Trip was caughtoff-guard, but he quickly took on a look of renewed resolve, this time, without the emotional distance. "... yes, of course!"

[rovingunova]

Alder couldn't help but chuckle at Trip's surprise, though he felt better knowing that he was willing to assist as necessary. Despite their conflicting ideas upon meeting, he would have been rather disappointed had Trip thought to simply ignore the matter at hand.

"I don't see any other trainers in the area. Hmm... tell me, what Pokemon do you have with you? Lampent is one, but you must have others, yes?"

Depending on Trip's answer, they could devise a solution to their predicament. A sturdy Pokemon could carry the injured Deerling safely. A Pokemon adept at scouting, or one who was quick on their feet, could cover the general area swiftly and locate the nearest town or outpost.

And with his own Pokemon to help, this Deerling stood a chance. Still keeping the injured creature as still as possible, he released the Pokemon within the ball he had chosen - a Braviary, ready and waiting for instruction.

"Braviary, I need you to fly. Find the nearest Pokemon Center and lead us there."

With a short cry of agreement, the eagle-like Pokemon spread its wings and with heavy wingbeats, took off above the trees, Alder shielding the Deerling from the resulting dustcloud.

As the dust settled, it was Trip's turn to think. Was there anything he could do?

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

At Alder's question, a shocked expression passed very briefly across his face, features contorting as if he'd suddenly been burnt, but it was gone just as quickly as it had arrived. After all, it wasn't... really a surprise anymore, was it? An accepting, wry smile replaced it, although his voice sounded bitter when he spoke again. "Serperior is my partner Pokemon, sir. I also have a Conkeldurr. Frillish and Vanillite too, but they won't be much help here." A bit blunt, but he only meant that Vanillite's chill would rob Deerling of its already rapidly diminishing warmth. As for Frillish, well, that one might intentionally cause some mischief— and we've had enough of soul-devourers, haven't we?

"Conkeldurr could give it a lift, if that's alright with Deerling?"

Deerling was distracted with watching the powerful bird fly, pricking its ears, previously listless eyes watching with interest. It made a small, eager sound. Even when the dust came whirling, it didn't shrink away or hide, stubbornly sticking its head out to try and see through the dust.

Something about the Pokemon that had just taken off seemed to ignite something within the Pokemon.

"Hey. Deerling?"

It snapped to attention.

"Can my Conkeldurr carry you? To help. —Get you to the Pokemon Center, not... die or anything!"

It was suspicious a second ago, but his earnest (very strained) voice seemed to surprise it. It nodded, but looked at Alder a bit warily. He'll keep an eye on it just to be safe, right...?

surprise tag to make you feel better? >:

[rovingunova]

Alder gives an understanding nod to reassure the little Deerling, and the little Pokemon looks back to Trip and gives a weak smile and nod itself. It certainly wasn't going to get out of this situation alone after all. Though now, Alder has to wonder...

"Conkeldurr is a Pokemon who always has its hands full, isn't it? How do you suppose it would balance if it carried this little Deerling instead of a sturdy pillar?"

Perhaps Trip had trained his Conkeldurr to be strong enough to support itself with only one pillar, perhaps it had another trick up its non-existent sleeve, but either way, the Champion is watching the boy with interest. It's almost as if he's trying to see into Trip's mind, to will him to think this situation through. He was handing over the responsibility to the young trainer, so that the Deerling might look to him for support, rather than to the older man.

[veeeery careful]

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

"Conkeldurr can stand just fine without its pillars, it's trained to fight using them like a sword and shield, alternatively," he stated it simply, but certainly with a great deal of pride.

He hadn't quite caught on to Alder's intentions just yet, despite being rather intuitive, but being around his idol tended to put his thoughts into disarray... that and he was showing off. He could easily get caught up in just that.

"Conkeldurr!" Trip cried out, throwing the pokeball.

Conkeldurr emerged, growling its name, before flashing a very aggressive and mirthless smile at Alder and Deerling both, taking them for opponents and trying to intimidate them (something Deerling didn't need at all!).

"Not a battle, Conkeldurr," Trip said firmly, stepping forward to hold Conkeldurr back.

Conkeldurr looked confused, blinking at the small, frail-looking Pokemon. "Keldurr?"

"We'll need you to carry it. Gently. Alder sir and I are going to save this Deerling, so do you think can help?"

It was a bit suspicious at first, but caught on fairly quickly and once it did, it very carefully, almost comically so, tried to inch its massive fingers, meaty hand dragging on the ground, towards the the Deerling, the other hand hovering carefully over it, shifting right and left, as if it were a operating a crane claw, trying to gauge the best spot to pick it up from.

[rovingunova]

Oh, what a gutsy Pokemon Trip's Conkeldurr was! And despite the situation, he looked so comical trying to be a gentle giant to the poor little Deerling... Alder can't help but laugh! Maybe a little lightheartedness would inject some positive spirit into the injured Pokemon too.

"So it can! And I can see you have it well-trained. You have a vibrant fighting spirit, Conkeldurr, but compassion in there somewhere too."

Look, praise for both the young trainer, and for his Pokemon! While Conkeldurr goes about trying to scoop the little deer up as gently as it possibly can, there's a triumphant screech from above. Looking up, they should be able to see Braviary circling overhead.

"Ah, Braviary has returned to us already. I'm sure the Pokemon Center isn't too far from here.

Now, are you ready? Deerling? Conkeldurr? Trip?"

Alder nods to each of them in turn. While it might be painful for Deerling, no matter how steady and careful Conkeldurr was, they had no choice if they wanted to save it. The journey was always going to be the hardest part.

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

The Deerling was understandably terrified by it initially, but the awkward, but very genuine, attempts at gentleness calmed it. A bit. It flicked an ear, looking at Conkeldurr questioningly, but was lifted up in time for Braviary's arrival!

"Yessir!" Trip responded immediately, back straight, head high.

Conkeldurr gave a hearty growl, but kept still, trying not to hurt the Deerling.

"Let's go!"

The command was to Conkeldurr and Deerling alone, of course— he still obeyed Alder and, by association, Braviary and looked to them in case there were more stipulations. If not, he'll simply follow the great eagle Pokemon!

[rovingunova]

"Stay close and tread carefully," he advises all of them, before setting off under Braviary's watchful eye, making sure to look to his friend for confirmation that they were headed the right way. The large bird calls to them too, just in case visibility was poor.

...of course, Alder knew that they were undoubtably not alone amongst the trees too, so he kept a brisk pace. The last thing he wanted was for them to step into a wild Pokemon's territory and anger them when they already had such pressing matters to deal with.

To the Deerling, it probably felt like an age, but luckily, there was in fact a Pokemon Center not too far away. The familiar bright red of the building up ahead would surely lead all of them to feel awash with relief... but the Deerling was still badly injured and there was no telling what would happen next. Still, it would be in the best place.

Stepping out into the open and approaching the center, Alder calls up to Braviary who circles down and lands in front of him. A fond ruffle of his fluffy head feathers and the Champion brings out his Pokeball again to allow him to rest.

"Good job, Braviary! Take a good rest."

And now to the young trainer with his Pokemon in tow. "Hurry inside. This Deerling has a good chance of pulling through thanks to you. I hope you'll stay by its side."

A suggestion, but a strong one at that. Would the trainer leave the little Pokemon in the care of the nurses or would he feel enough for it to take it in, despite its disability? It would no doubt have a tough time taking care of itself in the wild, but with the right training, Alder was certain it would become as strong as any seasoned Sawsbuck in the region.

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

"Stay by its side...?"

Did he mean he should watch over it until it recovers? It could take months or even years before it fully recovers, and even if it learns to use its remaining legs, it might never become capable of surviving on its own, so...

"You want me to raise it, sir?" he asked gravely.

When they enter, Nurse Joy will stop short of giving her usual warm greeting, because she will rush over with Audino quickly wheeling a cart, looking a combination of worried and furious at what had happened to the poor creature!

[rovingunova]

Alder gives Nurse Joy and her Audino a friendly wave, though the look on his face reflected the concern he had not only for the young Pokemon, but for what might have happened to it in the first place. This was no mere accident, he surmised...

Once they were gone and Trip had started questioning him, the Champion turned with a look of surprise on his face. Arms folded, he looks Trip in the eyes as he speaks. There was a tinge of pain in those eyes, almost as if he was hurt by Trip's enquiry.

"Hmm, moments ago you were willing to sentence that Pokemon to death, weren't you? Now you've given it a new chance in life. Surely you can't be thinking of abandoning it at its time of need?

You're right. It will take time to recover and adapt to its injuries. But that's why it needs a strong trainer to guide it as it grows. In the wild, that Deerling has no chance of surviving alone."

[I lost my reply twice xD;;]

[ex_pictureimperfect647]

Of course, it wasn't! It was a trap set by a poacher, humans can be that indiscriminately cruel.

The pained look is not entirely lost on Trip, who feels a sense of shame settle on is shoulders, but he brushes it off without any outward change in expression. He never claimed to be good. It hurt that his idol looked at him that way too, but... at this point, he was used to it.

The words hurt, though, and he averted his gaze. "Don't talk about me like that."

Pained, betrayed looks— those were commonplace, a dime-a-dozen, nothing Trip would bat an eyelid at. But to be praised... that was unexpected,so much that it shamed him as much as the accusations would normally shame others. He wasn't that good a person...

"It wasn't me. I'm only this way because you were there."

He was only half as good as the company he kept, still such a changeable, impressionable thing.

— but all his misgivings were set aside, at least momentarily, when Alder praised him. Strong. It didn't matter that Alder forgot him, it didn't matter that he didn't call him strong directly, the implication was clear enough that his head was swimming and he could hardly speak, simply standing there, silently mouthing half-formed words.

The words he wanted to hear the most... from the lips of the one he admired most...

The young trainer admired him greatly and his words meant a great deal to him, that much was clear.

But he couldn't exactly fawn over his idol anymore when the Deerling was brought up again. It would be a death sentence to throw it back into the wilderness. His expression darkened at the thought.

A moment later, with no small amount of hesitation, he managed to say, "I'll do it."

hello I'm back again :''''''3

[rovingunova]

Though Alder didn't know this boy well, had no memory of coming across him in the past, he was still aware of something bothering the young trainer. What exactly it was, he couldn't be sure... but his sudden dismissal of his encouraging words was unexpected to say the least. Did he really think so little of himself that he felt he had to have the Champion's help to achieve anything?

At the very least he was willing to take on the challenge of helping the poor injured Deerling find some strength and purpose in life... Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence that they met. The two of them really could make a formidable team if they learned to get along with one another.

Saying no more about the matter, but failing to hide a smile all the same, he chances a pat on the head.

"That Pokemon isn't the only one that should take time to rest. The both of you will need time. Why not go to it now and stay a while?"

With that, Alder makes for the door. He was still bothered by just how that poor Deerling had ended up in such a state. How much more damage was being done out there and by whom?

byeTristan