Once Is Enough

Part 12

"But isn't this what we've been training for all this time?!" Avian argued fiercely, burning blue aura crackling around him. "All those times I thought I was ready and I wasn't, that was before you taught me everything! But now, I know I'm ready to take on foes like these! You've seen protect you for Arceus sakes! Please! If you just let me try--!"

"You're NOT ready," he snapped. "This storm is like nothing you or I have ever seen before! One of their Pokemon had just left the pack that kept him alive for his whole life and failed to kill their only scrap of food in months! Do you not expect them to express their rage like this?! Think, Ave! You need to wake up!" Avian flinched at his words. Zoar's expression was stone cold like he had never seen before. For the first time ever, he just stood there, shocked, hurt, incapable of moving. His words were like a dagger to his pounding heart that painfully echoed through his head.

Zoar, realizing what he did, softened his eyes immediately. He darted away in shame, lowering his voice to make it sound more docile. He knew he couldn't reveal  it too much though, Avian wouldn't listen to him if he did.

"...I'm going to cover for you while you hide," he said. "When it seems safe, make a run for it. And whatever happens, you keep running, alright?" He placed a paw on his shoulder, gaping into him to make sure he understood.

With a voice almost like a whisper, Avian replied.

"No."

Zoar's eyes dilated.

"What?"

"I said no!" Avian cried with all the obstinance he could muster. Zoar pulled back in astonishment, and the pup dropped his head. "Zoar, if you're going out there alone...! No, I can't let you!" He began to tremble violently. "You said we're a team, remember? And I can't leave you to fight on your own! It's too dangerous! Who knows how many of them are out there?!" Zoar felt within him a slight fulfillment that the boy had spoke wisely about the situation; he was right entirely. "You have to trust me, I'm strong now! Stronger than ever before! I can feel it, I'm ready to fight by your side! I'll show you how brave I can be, Zoar!"

For a long time, the two stared at each other. Avian's gaze was filled with longing and headstrong tenaciousness while Zoar's was with anguish. The older Pokemon didn't know what to do, he saw the courageousness coarse through the child's veins, just like the day he began to train with him. Except this time, he knew Avian grasped the idea of what he was about to do instead of counting on his naivety. Zoar knew quite well what Avian was going to get himself into, and he could tell Avian did too. He couldn't help but marvel at how much the pup had grown over the time they spent together, and it warmed him to know that from now on...

He will be safe from them.

Zoar let out a defeated smile.

"...Alright. You win, kit," he surrendered convincingly. "Let's go show them who's boss."

Avian felt his heart skip a beat. He trusted him! He really did! After all this time, he felt ready to take on anything. Anything at all. Honor swirled within him as he nodded.

"Zoar...! Th-thank you!" he beamed proudly. Turning around, they faced the entrance of the cave towards the circling Luxrays.

Zoar glimpsed at the Riolu, one last time.

"I promise," Avian began. "I'll fight beside you until the very en--"

A volt of electricity quickly clung onto him in a fraction of a second; not giving the pup even a chance comprehend what had just happened.