EPISODE 43: Elegance, beauty in the heart!

Yesterday was a special day as I battled through an immense amount of challenges. I had overcome these challenges with the help of my Pokemons. My Pokemons were the ones who persuaded their strength and limit to go beyond what I expect. Now? I have the simple badge a symbol of victory and a leap of faith leading to me to the Pokemon league and the cavern of the deep.

Now, I and my Pokemons, together with my friends set off to another grand journey towards Photia-heart city. (Fo-ty-a) I shall claim my third gym badge and head to my fourth. Once that is complete, I can finally reach the cavern of the deep, I can finally see my parents once more.

In order to reach Photia-heart city, we must travel six long routes. (route eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen) My confidence was boosted because of that gym battle. A gym battle to remember, a gym battle to cherish.

But, if I want to win the gym battle in Photia-heart city, I'll have to train stronger, I'll have to grow closer with my Pokemon.

"Fennekin use fire fang!"

"Riolu dodge that then use Seismic toss!"

*Riolu dodges the fire fang, and tossed Fennekin to the abyss!*

"Riolu now use force palm as Fennekin falls down!"

"Fennekin no!"

*Riolu used force palm as Fennekin fell from the sky*

"Fennekin is unable to battle. The battle is over! The winner is Kalem and Riolu!" Zhery, the referee proclaimed.

It was all going well, when suddenly Riolu glew. A white veil surrounded Riolu.

"Could Riolu be evolving!?" Glade wondered.

"Riolu that's great!" I complimented as I watched Riolu evolve.

But as I looked through the white veil, Riolu was trying to resist something. It was somehow hesitating. Then all of a sudden, the white veil disappeared and Riolu stopped evolving.

"Riolu? Why did you stop evolving?" I queried as I ran close to Riolu.

"I didn't resist," Riolu replied.

"Kalem, Riolu evolves if Riolu's happiness reaches the limit," Camellia informed.

"Happiness? That's a new one on me." I queried.

"Happiness is also called a bond. It is your bond with Riolu which will make Riolu evolve." Zhery explained.

"But, Riolu was evolving then... why did it stop?" I queried.

"I'm not sure Kalem, I wonder why Riolu stopped evolving." Glade wondered.

"Do you feel ok Riolu?" I queried.

"Yeah Kalem, I feel totally fine." Riolu smiled.

I hugged Riolu tightly to make it feel comfortable. While all these evolution shenanigans were happening, a Pokemon was trying to observe us from behind.

: Pe? Pet? Pokemon wondered what we were doing. The Pokemon has a green pigment with a white cute face. On top of her green petal hair, there were dark green grass.

"Thank you for the food!" The four of us shouted as we began to gobble up some fried food that Camellia cooked of course. Since, she's the only one who knows how to cook.

"Riolu can I have some of those?" Zorua begged for more food after eating one bowl of Pokemon food.

"Fine, but I'll only give you one piece." Riolu had a warm heart, so he gave Riolu a piece of his food.

"Thanks Riolu! You're the best." Zorua smiled and ate the piece of Pokemon food that Riolu gave her. The cute Pokemon observed the Pokemons eating behind the tree. She saw Riolu gave Zorua food, so maybe Riolu will do the same to her. She came out of her hiding spot and went to Riolu.

"C... Can I have some too?" The cute Pokemon begged. Riolu looked behind and got shocked.

"Umm who are you?" Riolu queried.

"My name is Petilil, and may I please ask for some food." Petilil, the cute Pokemon begged.

"Don't you have a trainer? Or any human partner to give you food?" Riolu asked.

"I wished I had one, my former trainer left me alone in the forest one night."

{Flash Back}

"You stay here Petilil, I'll return quickly!" the former trainer instructed as Petilil sat on the stone.

*Petilil smiled at her former trainer*

A night has passed, and her trainer hasn't arrived. Night became days and days became weeks. Weeks became months and Petilil lost hope.

{End of flash back}

"My trainer never came back for me, I starved, I searched for my trainer but I couldn't find him. I waited everyday and every night, I stayed in the rain for him but he never came back. I never saw my trainer again. I looked for food but I couldn't find any until I saw you. I wanted to beg for some food, but it's ok if you disagree with me." Petilil explained softly as tears fell off her eyes as she remembered her trainer.

"Sure Petilil, you can have this Pokemon food and this Oran berry if you want." Riolu comforted.

"Really? Thank... Thank you Riolu. No one has ever been nice to me before." Petilil said solemnly as she ate some of the Pokemon food.

"So how is the Pokemon food?" Riolu surveyed.

"It's delicious, I haven't tasted anything like this." Petilil complemented.

"That's Camellia's cooking, she's a friend of my trainer Kalem." Riolu introduced.

"I wish my trainer would return." Petilil hoped as she continued to eat.

"You know what? I think your trainer is never going to return." Riolu hunched.

"How could you say? He told me to wait patiently." Petilil said solemnly.

"A lot of trainers do that, your trainer did that since it didn't want to hurt your feelings, but deep inside, your trainer wants to get rid of you," Riolu explained. Petilil began to cry.

"But, I didn't do anything wrong to my trainer, I love my trainer, I'm loyal to my trainer," Petilil said solemnly.

"That's the truth Petilil, and I'm sorry that you had to hear it." Riolu apologized. Riolu didn't want to tell Petilil the truth about what her trainer did, but Petilil must know the harsh truth, in order for her to stop hoping her trainer will return, because her trainer will never return.

Camellia walked closer to where the Pokemons were eating, she was about to give all the Pokemons more Pokemon food. But as she walked, she saw Petilil talking to Riolu.

"Hi there." Camellia charmed sweetly towards the Pokemon. Petilil was scared and shy so she hid behind Riolu.

"Its ok Petilil, this is Camellia, the one who cooked the Pokemon food." Riolu smiled and introduced.

"Is she going to hurt me?" Petilil wondered in fear.

"What? No! Camellia is a good friend of my trainer. Actually they're best friends!" Riolu explained.

"You must be hungry, here have some more Pokemon food." Camellia comforted the shy Petilil.

Petilil was starting to feel more comfortable as she ate Camellia's Pokemon food.

"How's my food?" Camellia surveyed. Petilil responded with a charming smile.

"Mind if I take some information about you?" Camellia got her Pokedex from her Pocket but Petilil was scared of it, she hid behind Riolu once more.

"Nothing to be scared of! That's just a Pokedex, it won't harm you." Riolu explained.

"Really? What's a Pok-ed-ex?" Petilil enunciated with her shy voice.

"They're just gonna scan you that's all!" Riolu comforted.

Petilil allowed herself to be scanned by camellia's Pokedex.

[Petilil! The Bulb Pokemon! A grass type! Some say if you dry the leaves on its head, boil them down, and drink the infusion, your vigor will return, so Petilil is popular with the elderly.]

"Hi Petilil, my name is Camellia." Camellia introduced herself and smiled at Petilil.

Camellia was about to touch Petilil's head, but Petilil became shy and hid behind Riolu.

"Don't be scared Petilil, Camellia just wants to play with you." Riolu comforted.

"Play with me? But will she hurt me?" Petilil wondered. "Of course not Petilil! These trainers are good trainers, they love and care for Pokemons.

Slowly by slowly, Petilil went closer to Camellia. Petilil smiled at Camellia while Camellia smiled back and cuddled her close.

"You're so cute!" Camellia cuddled. "Riolu, what is she doing to me?" Petilil wondered.

"That's called a cuddle, its warm isn't it?" Riolu smiled.

"Yeah, I feel a tingly sense coming to my nerves," Petilil uttered as she hugged Camellia back.

"Say Petilil, are you lost or something? Do you have a trainer?" Camellia queried.

Petilil looked back at Riolu, she was wondering what she should answer.

"Tell her you don't have any, your former trainer isn't going to return," Riolu suggested.

Petilil looked at Camellia's eyes and nodded sideways. "So, you don't have a trainer?" Camellia queried.

Petilil nodded her head. "Then, can I suggest that you come with me," Camellia advised.

"You'll be part of my team, and we'll become closer." Camellia smiled.

Petilil looked at Riolu again, seeking for advice. "Just say yes Petilil, come with Camellia, she will take care of you, unlike your former trainer," Riolu suggested.

"But what if... what if she leaves me like my old trainer?" Petilil wondered.

"No she won't! Camellia is a good trainer, she'll care and love you. If you come with her, you'll feel belongingness and a trainer's true love towards his or her Pokemon." Riolu replied.

Petilil looked back at Camellia and nodded her head. "Here, this is a Pokeball, this is where you'll stay as we travel. You and I will become close buddies oh, this is Ivy and Fennekin by the way. They're my cute Pokemons. Now you're going to join them." Camellia smiled as Ivy and Fennekin went closer to great Petilil.

"Just tap the Pokeball Petilil! Do not hesitate, a new beginning starts with you and Camellia." Riolu smiled.

Petilil smiled at Camellia and her Pokemon then she tapped the Pokeball.

Petilil didn't hesitate and got caught. Camellia rushed back to Zhery, Glade and me. "Hey! I have something to show you." Camellia called.

"Oh there you are Camellia! What took you so long?" I queried.

"I caught a new Pokemon!" Camellia beamed.

"Really!? Cool show us!" I said with excitement as Camellia sent out her Petilil.

"Petilil meet my friends!"

Petilil saw me, Glade, and Zhery but was too shy. She hid behind Camellia's legs.

"Don't be shy Petilil! These are my friends Glade, Zhery, and Kalem!" Camellia introduced.

The other Pokemons came closer to greet Petilil as well. Petilil got shy and hid behind Camellia again.

"These are their Pokemons! They're friendly so don't worry!" Camellia rhymed.

"H... Hi there, I'm Petilil." Petilil introduced with a shy tone.

The Pokemons were open to Petilil as they greeted Petilil and introduced themselves. Me, Zhery, and Glade also introduced to Petilil.

Petilil became less shy, as she started to play with us bit by bit! She enjoyed staying with Camellia. Only time will tell when Petilil will be fully confident with herself, as the journey continues!