The Baby

Nathaniel had just gotten back from his first day of kindergarten and needless to say, he was not impressed, the hours of coloring Pikachu had traumatized him. 

Thinking he had a bad time at school, his mom cheered him up by allowing him to venture into the front of the house, albeit not out of her watchful gaze. 

He was playing with a Pidgey he had named Albert when suddenly, he heard a cry of distress. He looked to see where the sound had originated and hesitated when he saw the nearby Viridian Forest.

Before she could say anything, he glanced at his mom and ran into the forest. He knew he was breaking his mom's trust but couldn't ignore the cry and knew they probably didn't have much time. 

His mom ran out of the house and after him but it was too late. Nathaniel had entered the dark forest's boundary and had been enveloped in the unforgiving darkness. 

He stumbled through the brambles and vines, following the cry, steadily growing stronger as he closed in. 

He then entered a clearing, lit up by the little sunlight slipping through the small gaps in the towering trees. He caught a glance of light blue and as he turned the corner, saw a dying Nidoqueen. 

He was saddened but didn't approach it. He knew that a Pokemon with nothing to lose was especially dangerous. He watched it but was struck with a thought. 

The Nidoqueen was in no shape to make any noises, how did it cry in distress? He looked closer and saw a hint of deep purple under all of the blueish flesh. 

As it moved, he gradually made out the features of a newly born Nidoran. He knew he was being reckless but couldn't stand by and watch a baby Pokemon die. The Nidoqueen let out a groan but didn't fight him.

 She knew the state she was in and that she didn't have much time left. He looked into her eyes and saw the love it had for the Nidoran but also fear and sadness. 

He locked eyes with her and assured her that he was trustworthy. She knew she didn't have a choice now; all she could do was hope he cared for Nidoran. 

Nathaniel, seeing the acceptance in her eyes, approached the baby. Nidoran shied away, scared of the stranger. The Nidoqueen nudged him toward Nathaniel and tried to convey her emotions. Nidoran slowly approached Nathaniel and stopped a few inches away. 

Nathaniel reached out his small arm and touched him. Nidoqueen, seeing this, smiled. Nidoran ran back to his mom and squealed at her. She grunted in response and passed as they said their last goodbyes. 

Nidoran let out a cry of sorrow and lay next to her as her body slowly lost its warmth. After a painful moment, Nidoran shakily stood up before walking to Nathaniel. He hugged him and they buried Nidoqueen.

 They then decided to walk back to Nathaniel's house. They soon faced another problem, they were lost!! 

Nidoran guided Nathaniel as close as he could to the outer boundary but he had never been outside the forest. They wandered around for a few hours but it was getting dark. 

As they started to panic, they heard a screech. They looked up and to Nathaniel's relief, Albert, his Pidgey friend, flew down.

They followed Pidgey through the increasingly darker forest and back to the lit-up city. His tearful parents ran toward him. As they embraced, he felt all of his parent's love. 

He scooped up Nidoran and Slakoth, who had been sleeping on his Mom's shoulder, and hugged him as well. As he looked around, he saw all of his neighbors and friends. 

They had banded together in an attempt to find him. Seeing him safe and sound, they dispersed after conversing with his parents. 

His parents brought him home, never letting go of him. He tried as, best he could, to explain the situation surrounding Nidoran given his limited grasp of the language. 

Nathaniel was scolded but managed to avoid the worst due to his age. Looking around at his family, 3 humans, and many Pokemon, he knew he was home.