As soon as they knew it, the sun was beginning to set. Zoar and Avian had found a secluded place to rest for the night near the shade of trees. It was hard to see without light, but the Riolu trusted the older Pokemon to look after him in the dusk, for his eyes he claimed were made for seeing in the thick of the darkness. The pup was throwing stones in the air, using them as targets to practice on his aura spheres. He wouldn't let the berries stop him. No, he was just starting.

Avian hadn't noticed that he walked so far away from his home. He couldn't even recognize his surroundings, knowing well that he used to venture a good distance away from the cave. On many sunny days, his mother would walk him out to play in the forest while she collected berries, and he recalled her beautiful and kind smile that she would always give him. Her laughter would ring through his ears like a soothing bell as she played and talked to him.

"Maybe, I could teach one day about the berries of the forest. What do you think, Avian?"

And he would just smile and nod, dreaming about the day he would have the knowledge of all the plants he and his family could eat.

He shot at another stone, missing it by a few inches. Frustration built in him.

And his father...

The day after every full moon, if mother nature was treating them just right, his father and him would go to a small field of dirt nearby their cave and gather up a clod of dead twigs, leaves, and vines. His father would tie them into a ball with the perfect size and shape to play catch with. Avian never knew how he could do it, but the ball was always just right. They would maneuver around the area, and toss the clump back and forward. The pup remembered how his arms would stumble, and the tumbleweed would fall onto the ground. Feelings of guilt and disappointment would bundle in his chest. Once when he was very young, he even cried.

But he always came to cheer him up, make him better, make him smile and laugh. He was the greatest father he could ever ask for, and with his mother, they were the best parents he could ever have.

But now... They weren't here anymore.

Never could he hug them... Never hear them... Never see them again.

And all because he couldn't...

"URGH!" The Riolu furiously shot a large aura sphere at the trunk of a nearby tree. With great force, it swung and released many green leaves from its branches. Zoar jerked, turning his head to face the sound of the impact.

"Whoa, Ave! Everything okay?" he asked. Avian panted slightly to regain composure, but soon sighed, slinking to his knees. He slowly looked into his red and yellow eyes.

"It's not fair, Zoar..." Avian mumbled, grabbing ahold of another rock. Zoar sighed.

"Unfortunately, a lot of things in life aren't fair, kit," he replied, staring at the slightly seared part of the wood. That's not what I... Avian stopped himself from thinking anymore, staring at his paws. He couldn't let him know.

"...Why does it have to be this way?" he questioned, gaping at the gray pebble of earth in his grasp. Zoar paused for a moment, staring into the distance hesitantly. Thoughts of his pack rushed into his head.

"It's just how the world works, he answered. "All of us have to deal with it, whether we want it or not." A pang of guilt hit Avian directly in the stomach. Zoar tensed, wanting to shed light on his words. "But it's up to us on how to deal with it. Some just crumble under the pressure... But others power through. That's what we have to do right now until we get you home, alright?" He smiled. "I believe in you, you can do it."

The child stayed silent for a moment, but nodded his head knowingly and set down the rock he was holding.

"Okay," he said.

"Good, now why don't you get some rest? We have to travel some more tomorrow." Zoar instructed. "Also, there's a place I want to visit with you before we set out." Confirmation shone in the boy's eyes.

"Yeah, alright," he agreed. He gathered up some of the leaves that had fallen from the tree he hit and piled them up near where Zoar was laying down. After he was comfortable, he sat himself down and rested his head onto his arms.

"'Night, kit," Zoar mumbled gently.

"Goodnight."

Avian shut his eyes, soon falling into the arms of sleep.

~

"Hey, puppy. It's okay, dropping it is how you learn."

"...I... I can't do this... You always beat me! And I always let the ball fall before I can do anything...! J-just... Let's go home now..."

"Avian... Just because you drop the ball a few times doesn't mean you have to give up. It's all a part of the process of becoming better at what you're doing. That goes for anything."

...Why...? Why couldn't I have just had the courage to fight back?!

"Don't give up! Keep trying, and eventually, one day, you will accomplish your goals. I know you're the type of Pokemon that can do anything they put their mind into. If anyone can do it, it's you!"

I could of... They could of...! I...!

"...You just need to be--"

~

"No...!" Avian shot up from where he lie. Placing a paw on his tired eyes, he found some fresh tears dappling his face. Silently, the child wiped them off and got up, looking around him frantically. He soon spotted Zoar, who was sleeping away under the midnight sky.

He fearfully glanced around before making his way over to the sleeping figure, tapping him lightly. He watched Zoar's eyes flicker open and his head turn to him.

"Everything alright, Ave...?" he asked groggily. Avian shifted hesitantly, still shocked from his... 'nightmare'. He rubbed his arm skittishly.

"Zoar...?" he murmured. "C-can I sleep with you...?" Zoar blinked his eyes.

"Why...? Whats wrong?" Avian bit his lip nervously.

"I... I thought I saw a monster..." he said quietly. After a moment of silence, the Luxray let out a playful laugh. He looked at Avian benevolently, scooting to make room for him.

"Of course, Ave. Come here." Avian quickly curled up next to Zoar, his insides still shuddering from his troubled thoughts.

But he was soon caressed by his larger body, wrapping around like a warm blanket. The pup was almost surprised at all the heat he generated, being an electric Pokemon. Zoar set his head next to Avian's.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you," he promised. And with that, he fell fast asleep.

Avian couldn't help but feel safe in Zoar's grasp. It was almost like the wings of an angel carrying him away to paradise, wherever it was. He knew it was out there, but Zoar would have to settle for now. He curled up into his flank and sighed deeply, succumbing to the tenderness of his embrace.
____________________________
The next morning, Avian woke to the constant and rhythmic movements against his body. He slowly rose to see his companion grooming himself happily, licking his paw to brush his ears. The child watched him for a moment until Zoar turned his head to look at him, smiling.

"Hey, Ave!" he greeted warmly. "How did you sleep?" Avian stretched out his back and arms, reaching them to the sky as he replied the best he could.

"Fine, I guess...!" Zoar nodded.

"It may not be like your home, but it's something. At least you fell asleep," he sighed. "...So, what do you think? Did I protect you from those monsters well enough?" He let out a teasing snicker, causing Avian to blush.

"Yeah... I should sleep next you more often..." he admitted, smirking. Zoar gave his paw one final lick before standing up and shaking his pelt.

"Well, when you're ready, I want to take you somewhere. The perfect timing should be around a quarter to sun-high." Avian anxiously wondered what Zoar had in store for him at wherever he was taking him, but he knew he could trust him. He knew deep in his heart.

"Okay, we can leave now if that's fine with you," he said. Zoar grinned.

"That's perfect. You ready?" he asked.

"Yes,"

"Then let's go!"
____________________________
Avian followed the eager Luxray to a clearing with no patches of grass to be seen. He could spot many trails of uneven dirt marking the ground, continuing for a long distance. The road seemed pretty old, but used often by something... Or someone. They stopped right where the trees meet the dry earth. "Where are we, Mister Zoar?" Avian couldn't help but ask. Zoar's expression brightened with intelligence.

"This is the season of the Diglett and Dugtrio migration. They head to the caves near the other side of the forest for the winter so that they can let the earth and food here replenish," he explained. Avian's eyes sparkled.

"That's so cool!" he beamed, grazing his sight through the bumpy ground.

"Isn't it?" Zoar couldn't help but show a toothy smile. "Now Ave, what I want you to do might sound crazy, but hear me out, okay?" The pup nodded without a second thought. His chest was filled with eagerness and enthusiasm. He did't say a word, letting the older Pokemon continue. "The Diglett and Dugtrio are about to come through here soon.

I want you to stand in their path."

Avian felt his heart lurch as doubt began to fill his mind.

"Wh-what?! Why?!" he stammered.

"Trust me. Stand right where you see the eroding dirt."

Reluctantly, the young child shuffled over to where Zoar instructed. He gave him an unsure glance.

"Why are we doing this...?" Avian managed to question.

"I want you to do your best and dodge the Pokemon as they make their way through the path. No attacking, just footwork. This'll help you on your speed," Zoar replied as he checked into the distance for the oncoming horde. He squinted his eyes, spotting the shaking sediment that was kicking up in the horizon. Just in time! He then turned to Avian, giving him a hopeful stare. This caused him to relax a bit, feeling better about the daunting task.

"...A-alright. I trust you, Zoar," the pup said. The rumbling was slowly increasing with volume.

"There're a lot of them. A good halfmile of them. Are you prepared?" Zoar asked. Avian gulped. H-halfmile?! Swallowing hard at his fears, he remembered how the Luxray had defended the poor boy from his own mistake. He recalled the feelings of the night before, the emotions bundling up inside of him that he couldn't tolerate.

He felt... As if he must release them. Somehow, some way, whether it be by evolving or... Now: By impressing Zoar.

"Yes," he firmly replied. "I'm ready."

The trembling neared them by the second. It sounded like a nonstop earthquake vibrating the ground. Soon he saw the brown heads of the little creatures with their pink noses-- or mouths?-- bobbing up and down from their careless ambling. The shivers became more intense for Avian as they approaching him by the second.

"Concentrate, Ave. Clear your mind," Zoar instructed. The pup noticed that the other the Luxray had positioned himself right next to him. His body was in a focused manor. He's... Gonna do this with me? he wondered. Zoar nodded as if to answer his thought. "I'm with you 'till the end, kit." An eager smile crossed both of their faces: one filled with anticipation, and one filled with inspiration.

The herd proceeded closer...

Alright, we can do this...! We can do this!

And closer...

Together...!

Until...

"Now!"

Like lightning, Avian shut his eyes and let his instincts take over. His aura sensors pricked up and everything began showing in a mental image encased by blue aura.

All of his surroundings. All of the Pokemon. All of the movement. Every single breath.

He could feel it.

The footwork for him was almost automatic as his brain was inputting messages to his body. Right. Left. Left. Right. Jump. Left. Right. Jump. It we like he knew exactly what was coming, like he did all of this before.

When he dared to open his eyes in fear of losing his concentration, he found that the older Pokemon was maneuvering with swiftness and ease, clearly enjoying the moment with his wide grin. He could tell that he'd performed this many times ago, which was reasonable. The Diglettes and Dugtrios were not even phased by the two Pokemon in their way. Avian couldn't help but feel proud of himself while his quick footwork weaved him through the crowd.

Finally, for once in his life, he was doing something... Helpful...!

...And that was when it happened.

A Diglett's head suddenly hit his leg, sending him flipping head first into the stampede of dirt, which was completely oblivious to the tumbling pup. He felt the bodies smash into him as he became bruised and battered all over. Letting out a yelp that alerted Zoar, the large Pokemon tensed at the horrid sight before him. "Ave! Hold on!" He hastily snatched the child up by the scruff of his neck before any more damage could be inflicted on him and tried his best to make his way out of the pool of ground-type Pokemon.

Zoar couldn't ignore the odd feeling of nostalgia when he stared down worriedly at the dazed Riolu. He gazed upon his legs being brutally hit by the sturdier Dugtrios that passed by due to his lack of focus for dodging. Once the two were out of the commotion, Zoar ran as far as he could away from the path. He set the pup on the ground in hopes that it would relieve him of his heavy breathing. "Avian...! Are you okay?! Please, say something...! Anything!" A stab of panic grabbed at his heart from the situation. It just hit him all of a sudden... Out of nowhere.

That was when the Riolu opened an eye, then the other, aching almost all over from the impacts.

"Oh Arceus..." Zoar breathed. "I'm so sorry, Ave... I never meant for that to happen...! I just-- I was just so...!"

Avian noticed that the Luxray was beginning to sound like him when they first met: Stammering with fear coating every word. Zoar turned away with disappointment. "D-dammit..." he mumbled under his exhales. "I'll get you s-something to cool those bumps down. D-dont worry. I--" Avian stopped him in the middle of his sentence with an assuring smile.

"I'm fine!" he beamed. Zoar just blinked in shock. "That was... Really really fun!" There was a long pause before any words were spoken. Zoar was awestruck with the curiosity and ambition of the pup that it nearly paralyzed him in thought. He has a chance... He may be weak now, but if a certain something can push him over the edge, I know he can master all of this in a blink of an eye. And with that... He could finally reach his goal; he could finally evolve! He let out a sigh of relief before looking right into Avian's eyes.

"I'm... Glad you're not badly hurt..." he mumbled. "But... Um... Why don't you ride on my back for a while...? Until you feel better, that is." A rush of comfort filled Avian with acceptance.

"Okay, Zoar. If that'll make you feel better!" he agreed. Like before, the quadruped laid himself onto the ground low enough for the smaller Pokemon to sattle him. Avian grabbed firmly onto Zoar's spiky, yet sleek pelt as he stood back up.

"You good?"

"Yeah," Avian nodded. After a hesitation, Zoar grunted.

"Then let's get back on track..."

The last Diglet trailed behind the mounds of the others, leaving the two to wander off away from the path into the trees that were lazily swaying in the wind.