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Damsels and Heros
(2793)

She had journeyed taken a turn for the worse on her way to the mountain ranges Qwee had specified. Embrez had gotten lost. Lost enough to the point where she wasn't sure where that mountain range was. Perhaps leaving was a bad idea. She wasn't far from home it was easy for her to turn around and head back, but turning back, she found a large bug in her way. It let out a roar as it's pincher clicked together and locked around the trunks of a tree. With another ear splitting roar, the tree was snapped in half with a mighty crunch! The sound made Embrez jump. “W-wah...” she backed away in fear, startled and filled with regret. She backed away and bumped into something fuzzy. Whirling around, she found herself staring into the back of a Spinarak and begun shrieking and running was sent running in a random direction.

She ran faster than she ever ran before. “When did bugs get so biiiiiiiiiiiig!?” Embrez cried, scurrying as quickly as possible until she crashed head first into a large web. “Oh no, oh no, oh no...” She nearly fainted when she saw another Spinarak descend down on her, but a voice caught her attention.

“Hold on, I'mma pry you loose!” spoke the firm voice of a boy. Embrez felt someone tug her from the web and her form pulled into a light embrace. “Sorry if she messed your web up, ma'am. Seems like she was spooked.” Gazing down at the Charmander in his arms, Tin smiled. “Hi, I'm Tin. You alright?”

Embrez was still panicked and now she was confused. “T-Tin? I-”

He pulled her to his chest. “Easy now. I'll carry you to where ever you need to go.” Orange feathers poked out of his head making it obvious that he was once a Torchic.

She tilted her head, unsure of what to say. The human like Torchic walked for a while in the silence before she finally spoke up. “D-do you know a fish lady?” asked Embrez awkwardly. Tin paused, his head tilted as she gazed down at the young Charmander. It was then that she recalled that she had not introduce herself. Just as he opened his mouth to begin an answer, she quickly shoved in. “Oh, my name is Embrez! S-sorry for not introducing myself sooner...”

“Um, I know a fish lady.” replied Tin oddly, he shifted around trying to gain a better grip on the female named Embrez. He didn't wanna drop a lady on her bum because of his grip slipping. She seemed a bit fragile. “Her name is Qwee. She's really nice, but kinda strange.” Smiling down at her, Tin nodded. “And it's a pleasure to meet you, Embrez.”

Her eyes widen for a moment before finally relaxing into the odd boy's arms. “Oh, thank goodness.” she murmured, sighing deeply with relief. “She sent me to find you.”

“And I guess I found you instead,” he chuckled lightly. “Which is good, I suppose.”

“T-Thank you for saving me.” she replied, leaning against Tin. He was oddly warm and she found an comfort in that. To her it felt like there was a fire within him. They walked for a little longer in silence. One not sure what to say to the other. It was a while more of silence before Embrez finally spoke up again. “So... where are you going?”

Tin looked confused, gazing around at their surrounding. “Hm, I'm not sure. I'm looking for someone to help our forests grow!” He scratched his head, gently running his fingers through his feathered hair. “The trees are gone and many people are with out of homes.. so, I have to find someone who can help me soon.”

Embrez blinked up at him and in a very small seeming voice, she asked him. “May I come along with you?”

The torchic boy paused for a moment. They say first impressions are normally one's lasting impressions and the first he'd had of her was quite lasting. She seemed timid and one not so suited for the tough traveling he'll be doing. Especially if bug pokemon scared her like that, but looking into her eyes, he had a feeling that she was stronger than she seemed. With a crooked smile and a soft tug on his feathery earring, Tin nodded his head. “Sure you can come along. Just promise me that you'll be careful along the way.”

Giggling, Embrez replied, “I'm always careful. I'm just not used to bugs that big!” She huffed a bit, trying to gaze everywhere, but his eyes.

“Well, if you say so.” Tin casually shrugged. He chose to believe her. Why not? He doesn't know her and hasn't allowed her to prove herself more than what she seemed yet. “Do you want me to put you down?”

“Yes, please.”

With a silly grin still plastered on the boy's face, he gently released her. He paused for a moment to allow her to gather her composure before continuing his stride in a direction. A random direction. Granted one chosen by his gut, still...

Embrez sighed. She'd followed him in silence long until her feet begun to ache and the sun slowly begun to set behind a set of trees and now she wanted to rest. “Do you know where you're going?”

He stopped abruptly and slowly turned to face his new companion. She saw it in his half smile. In the way he scratched his cheek and in the way he chuckled nervously. He was completely lost. So lost that he was leading them in circles. Embrez sighed heavily. “Here. Let me lead.” Padding off ahead of him, she lead him warily through the dense forest. She was a nervous and as it got darker, she was downright afraid. Her eyes continually darted back to Tin for comfort. Each time her eyes fell over him, she found him to be completely calm. Calm enough to hum.

Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore. It was dark and she was far from home. She was hungry and her throat was parched. Embrez was strong enough not to burst into tears or throw a fit or anything, but she was downright uncomfortable. This was beyond her safety bubble and she wanted to run back to that zone. Tin must have saw her discomfort. He lead down and picked her up while giving room for her tail to burn brilliantly. She felt a little more comforted being held against the warmth of his chest. She really wondered why he was so abnormally warm? Was it a Torchic thing? She felt herself worrying about it more and more until finally, she could help asking. “Why are you so warm?”

He tilted his head as he thought of the answer. Maki had told him once, but it felt like a long time ago. Gathering together his thought on the subject left him feeling a little homesick. He could let that show. Tin took the path of playing the tough guy because he knew that his new companion needed a pillar to lean on. She seemed new to this as much as he was. “My mom said that Torchic's have fire in their bellies. It keeps me warm and allows me to spit fire from my mouth.”

“You can spit fire out of your mouth?” questioned Embrez

“Can't you?” he retorted, eyebrows raised incredulously. “I always thought it was a fire type thing!”

“Is it?

“Guess not... maybe it's different for every pokemon. Yeah, that's probably the case.” She noticed that he was always smiling. When was he not? Tin seemed rather lighthearted for a boy his age and for a Torchic who was in the dark. He walked them towards a small hillside with an overhang that would protect them from wind and rain. After making sure she was safe and sound, he pulled out items for the odd hump on his back. One of which being a comfy roll of fluff and the other was something crunchy that he handed her before giving her a handful of berries. She took her time eating, wondering what else he had in that pack of his.

“Are you still hungry?” he asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

She glanced at him for a moment as she slowly savored the flavor of the berries. They were a bit more bitter than she would've liked them, but Embrez wasn't picky. Rubbing her belly as she shook her head, she gave him her answer as she finished off the last bit of berry. “No, I'm pretty full.” She savored the taste of the fruit before asking, “So why are you different?”

“What do you mean?” asked Tin as he stuffed his face full of crackers. He scarfed them down hungrily, cheeks filled with the crunched up bits.

“You're not like the others.”

“Well, I hope so. Mom always says I'm special and dear to her heart!”

“No, not in that way, I mean you're... tall.” She felt embarrassed, unsure of how to ask and hopefully not insult him. She wasn't really sure about how he'd react and the not knowing bothered her a little. Wiggling in place, Embrez couldn't help a sigh as her train of thought continued only to be interupted by the harsh gurgling sound of Tin slurping down water to keep from choking.

“That's unusual? I was told it's the normal size for a boy my age!”

“Normal size for a boy? For a Torchic boy?” Tilting her head, she thought hard on the idea and pulled away even more puzzled. Every idea she had of Torchics were different than what he was presenting her with.

He looked down for a moment and frown. “You mean why I'm all weird shaped?” His lips pressed together in almost a duck like way as he thought. Tin seemed to be thinking a little too hard, the smoke from his gears grinding within was almost visible by the ever so patient Embrez. When he finally answered, he smiled and shrugged casually as if it was nothing. “I made a wish.”

“A wish did that to you?”

“Well, yeah. Sorta.”

“What did you wish for?” prodded Embrez, feeling more curious about her new companion. She wondered how it would feel like to be hybrid like Tin. If it'll be any different than how she is now. She thought of it and quickly shook her head, dismissing it. The idea of the power that will come with such a form scared her off. Worried and concerned of responsibilities she must take over her powers already, she wasn't ready for another jump as she's growing into herself just now. “Though, how did that happen? Was it really the star?”

Tin smiled warmly as he leaned back onto the rocky walls of their shelter. He looked distant, if not dreamily into space as if he was recalling the very moment of his wish. “It was amazing. This light washed over me and there was a voice that called out to me, asking me what I'd wish for! So I told it that I wanted to be like the brave heroes from the tales that Qwee and Maki would tell to me so that I can protect the people I care about.”

She nodded, noting his smile never faltering even with the obvious backlash of his wish. Was this what happened to the lady who trapped them in her cave? Embrez's thoughts lingered there, looking dazed to the talkative Torchic. He continued talking without noticing that she had stopped listening to him.

“Maki was worried at first, but when she got used to the thought, she was fine with it. She said she would accept me for me and that made me very happy! I'm glad to have her love, you know? It's nice to be loved no matter how weak and small you are! Though that kinda makes me want to be stronger. You know, to be able to protect the ones I care about?” He paused for a moment to gaze over at his companion and gently poked her shoulder. “Do you know what I mean?”

Embrez snapped back to reality by the second poke. “Hey, are you okay?” He was about to prod her one more time when she reached out and touched his hand, lowering it to the ground.

“Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking...” she paused for a moment, not really wanting to elaborate. She didn't want to drag on the silence or allow him to pursue the topic any further on how she was feeling. Embrez didn't want to worry him. “So, you want to grow stronger for your family? What if you can't control the power that you gain? What if you hurt someone?”

A heartbeat of silence passed through them before Tin broke it with a loud hearty laugh. He slapped his knees before running his hands through his feathery hair. “Ah, don't worry. Whatever power I have, I'll learn to control it and I won't hurt anyone with it because it's my powers and I'll have control over it. I will grow stronger for my family and because you're here with me, I'll grow stronger for you, too.” He smiled softly to soothe her worries as Tin clasped his hand around her two tiny claws. “You seem like a bit of a worry wart. Well, don't worry so much. I got this! I'll take care of the two of us!”

Smiling, she nodded, giving into him this one night. This strange boy is right. She does worry a little too much. Perhaps he's not so careless. Maybe he can actually take care of the both of them. She tried to settle down, try to relax, but found it moot. She was worried about the tomorrow's. Nothing really was planned, they didn't know where they were going or how they were going to get there? Not knowing would give them many opportunities to land in all kinds of trouble! The thought of that was nearly too much to bare. They needed to be careful and she had a strong feeling in her gut that he was anything, but careful.

She pulled away from him, jolting out of his grip. “I-I'm sorry. I need to know how much supplies do we have? Do we have enough food? If not, perhaps we can spend tomorrow looking for food...” Her gaze lowered as she ran a claw along her cheek bone, following the curvature up and down as she paced the cavern in uncertainty. “Or where are we going? You mentioned looking for someone to help you fix your forest... where do we find someone like that? Or an item...” She whirled around on her heels and stared up at him with such intensity as she continued to be an inquisitor. “Whose destroying your forest and why would they do such a thing? Don't they know all the creatures that depend on those forests? Also, will you take me home afterward since my home is so far away and I'm not quite sure where we are now... Oh dear.” She was looking flustered now. Her tail burned bright enough to light up the darkness as her stress seem to pile up until it looked as if she was about to explode from all the worrying she was doing.

Tin quickly threw his arms around her, tenderly pulling the Charmander to his chest. “It's going to be okay. I promise. We'll figure it out. Even if it's just a step at a time. We'll figure it out tomorrow together, okay?” He sighed lightly, petting her head. “Just calm down and breath. Everything will be alright.”

From where she stood, she could hear his heart pitter-patter in his chest and she blushed. Gazing up for a moment, she whispered in a soft voice, “You promise?” He didn't reply. Instead he fell over snoring, holding her tightly to him. His face pressed against the top of her head as she slept heavily. She was stunned at first, but those feelings were washed away when she heard in a quiet murmur between breaths.

“I....promise”

Somehow, she knew all would be well and with that knowledge, she too joined him in the world of dreams.

Grownups Are Weird
(612)

Returning home never felt more bitter sweet. Kaiya disappeared as soon as he'd shown her the forest. She was gone and he'd never heard a peep from her. Tin sat quietly in the kitchen of Eva and Eve's orphanage. He found himself more and more drawn to the laughter of children playing as if he was trying to drown himself in normality. Yet he came off with the feeling of something missing. The young Torchic fidgeted within his seat, sighing with every move. Eva stared from across the way seeming to grow more and more irritated with the boy's silence. His own mother, unsure of how to act beside her old friend.

Before anyone could do or say anything to Tin though, it was Eve who spoke up first. “What's on your mind, love? Speak it and perhaps one of us will be able to help you?”

Tin shook his head, snapping out of his trance. He seem to hesitate for a moment. Unsure of how to answer when finally he simply blurted out everything that lingered on his mind. “I miss Embrez. I-I think I messed up or hurt her feelings. Nothing feels right knowing that she could be out there in danger and it's all my fault. I feel so bad.”

Maki gave him a faint smile as she moved over to his side. Her large arms held him close to her as she did when he was just a chick. He was beginning to cry and the mother within her acted. “It's alright,” she cooed. “I'm sure your friend is safe.”

“She smart a-and knows what to do when bad things happen, but she's not that strong. She needs someone to make sure she'll be okay.”

His mother cradled him. “You're only a little one yourself...”

“But I have you, Eve and Eva. She didn't have anyone to keep her strong...” he murmured, recalling her tears and how scared she was when they encountered Ki. Tin never forgot nor did he stop regretting bringing her there against her will.

“She sounds like she's stronger than both you and her think. You have to be some sort of strong to live on your own for that long. You did say before that she lived on her own for most of her life, right?” questioned Eva as she whipped out an old butterfly knife and begun playing with it. “Any child worth their salt that lived for that long on their own must be strong enough to take care of themselves.”

Tin simply nodded. He wouldn't dare contest Eva's words. Mostly because she was intimidating to him and he learned how and when to pick his fights. “I suppose you're right. I just miss her...that's all.”

Eve gazed at Eva and elbowed her lightly. “He's got a C.R.U.S.H.” she stated plain and simple for everyone in the room, but Tin.

“Huh?” he murmured, bewilderedly.

The two women looked at each and then looked Maki who in turned didn't know how to react, but laugh. “You think? He only ever talks about her.”

“What are you talking about?” Tin felt more and more confused by the minute. “I-what?”

“Grown up things. Now hush.” They seemed to say uniformly and continued their chatter.

“B-but...” Tin sighed softly, realizing that he'd get no answer from them. In a sense, he didn't really wanna know nor did he really care. Regardless on how much they assure him that she'll be fine. He knows her well and he was certain that she was in danger somewhere...and needed him desperately.