First Faith

Chapter 34: Wholeness

Chapter 34: Wholeness

Dawn was walking to the Pokemon Center doors, accompanied by Demi, as Electivire and I made it there. Demi's head bolted towards us the second she felt our presence, causing Dawn to turn in surprise. She remained frozen, mouth open as she saw the two of us together.

"Hey!" Demi waved before rushing to us. I noticed Riley right next to her, keeping pace, "Electivire is back!"

Demi tackled into me as she gave me a hug. Startled, I stumbled back a step before embracing her. Electivire's tails whipped a bit impatiently behind him and he ignored Riley, who stood in front of him, seeming to ask him a question.

I'd have to talk to him about his manners. I was sure he would enjoy a deal where we were both forced to improve, especially if it meant he could shock me if I made rude comments.

Demi cuddled her head against my stomach before pulling away, staring solemnly at Electivire, "I'm really sorry if I offended you, Electivire. I don't want to hurt your feelings and I won't read your mind unless you give me permission. I just want to be friends. And so does Riley."

Riley put a paw on his chest and gave a short confirming growl. Electivire grimaced a bit, but knelt down so he was closer to Demi. Her face contorted a bit in confusion before she nodded.

A voice entered my thoughts, I'm sorry for the way I acted. Truthfully, I don't really like either of you. But you're friends with my Trainer and you seem to have helped him when I was busy trying to help myself. I owe you my thanks.

Electivire's voice. In awe, I realized he must have wanted Demi to connect us mentally as well as to speak to Demi and Riley. His thoughts were sharp and blunt, but I could sense a softness underneath. Despite how he seemed about my age, his voice seemed to convey the rashness and immaturity of his youth, but also the humbleness of an adult who had learned from their mistakes. I felt his thoughts brush against mine, light as a feather, all to show that he was serious about our relationship as Trainer and Pokemon. He lingered, his thoughts embracing mine as if aiming for a mental hug. It was odd, but somehow comforting. Our minds seemed very similar in many ways, at least in the ways we thought, and made it easy to not feel on edge in the vulnerability.

After that, his emotions pulled away, leaving a small presence.

"It's perfectly fine, Electivire. I'm not mad at you at all. I don't blame you for how you acted." Demi put her hand over one of his knuckles, the size difference immense, "But from now on, I want you to really take care of Paul and tell him how you're feeling if he does something to hurt you. Otherwise, your wounds will never heal."

A twinge of annoyance ran through him because a little girl was telling him what to do before he washed it away, As much as I don't like to admit it, you're right.

Demi smiled, then turned to me in all seriousness, "And you better treat Electivire the right way. He chose you even though he didn't really have any reason to trust you. He deserves a Trainer that will love and respect him. You can do that, but you have to work harder than you've ever worked before."

I nodded, "I'll do my best."

"Good. Then you both have my blessing."

I felt Electivire's irritation and surprise at a little girl giving us her blessing, but I wasn't concerned. Or maybe I was too used to it. Either way, this was the beginning of a new chapter and, blessing or not, I had a good feeling that everything would be perfectly fine.