Flare wrote:"Now follow me."
The sun was now shining down on the forest, illuminating the trees and the leaves underneath them. Zeke figured that it had to be around 7 AM. "Which means we've been lost for at least 3 hours."
[color="Red"]"Well, don't worry. It will only be an hour or two more,"[/color] said Flare.
"Well that's not too bad."
[color="red"]"That is...if we don't run into any Houndooms."[/color]
"......EH?!"
Flare gave a little chuckle. [color="red"]"Just kidding. There are no Houndooms in this forest."[/color]
Zeke gave a sigh of relief and kept on walking behind Rune, with Flare leading the way. After about thirty minutes, they came across a small brook. [color="red"]"We can rest here for a bit."[/color]
Zeke pulled a plastic bottle and filled it with water. After about 5 minutes, he filled it again. "Wow, this water is great!"
Flare looked at Zeke, and, seeing that he was occupied with the brook, whispered to Rune, [color="red"]"Forgive me for asking, but how does the human...treat you?"[/color]
[color="Silver"]"Treat me?"[/color]
[color="Red"]"You know, does he feed you often or after 'training'? Does he stuff you in those little balls at night or let you roam free? Things like that."[/color]
Rune was silent. When he spoke, he said, with confidence, [color="silver"]"Let's get one thing straight. I am NOT a pet, and I refuse to be treated like one. Zeke is my friend, not my master. Yes, I owe him my life, but that does not mean that I wait on him like a servant. Yes, Zeke does have a Pokeball, but he has never used it. I don't think he'll ever use it! He will only use it when it is needed, but for now, it will stay in his backpack. He promised me that, and I believe him. If you don't like him, fine. Just don't try to pass that hate to me."[/color]
Flare was taken aback. [color="Red"]
Woah! Wait...the kid said that he didn't have a Pokeball...so...does that mean...?[/color]
She spoke to Zeke. [color="red"]"Alright, let's get going."[/color]
As they continued to travel the forest, words echoed in Flare's mind:
[color="Silver"]"Zeke is my Friend, not my master."[/color] "I will never abandon him!"Zeke stopped. He leaned forward. "Hey...I can see the town!"
Flare snapped out of her daydream and followed his gaze. A small town lay outside the forest. [color="Red"]"I told you I knew the way."[/color]
Zeke bowed. "I guess we part ways here. Thank you, Flare. For everything."
Zeke and Rune began to walk away. [color="Red"]"...Wait."[/color]
Zeke stopped but did not turn around.
[color="red"]"I...I lied. Xatu never sent me. I...I wanted to see if you were for real. If you really were nice and kind to Pokemon. And....and now that I have....I want to join you. On your journey, I mean. I-if you don't want me to come along, that's fine, I understand."[/color]
"...Well? You gonna come along?"
Flare stared at Zeke's smiling face and bounded up to his side. [color="red"]"Alright, your turn to lead!"[/color]
"Okay then, let's go!" They raced toward the shimmering town with smiles on all of their faces.