Water Type

The sun was still high in the sky as Daniel and Elizabeth made their way back to Corviknight, the large, metallic bird standing at the edge of the town square, patiently waiting for its next flight. Daniel had secured a new batch of scrolls from the visiting merchant, pleased to have more material for his ever-expanding library. Beside him, Elizabeth clutched Squirtle close to her chest, her wide eyes scanning the bustling village. It was clear she was excited, though a touch of nervousness hung in the air.

"You ready to head back to the forest?" Daniel asked, glancing down at the young girl.

Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before nodding, her grip tightening slightly on Squirtle. "I think so. But… will we fly again?"

Daniel smiled, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Corviknight will get us home safely, don't worry. Just hold on tight, and you'll be fine."

Elizabeth nodded again, trying to summon the courage for the flight. Evidently, the unique sensation made her quite nervous. She gave Squirtle a reassuring look, as if drawing strength from her companion. They approached Corviknight, and Daniel climbed onto the bird's back, motioning for Elizabeth to join him.

"Up you go," Daniel said, offering his hand to her. With a deep breath, Elizabeth took it and climbed up in front of him, carefully positioning herself on Corviknight's back. She was shaking slightly, but once she was settled, she wrapped her arms tightly around Daniel's arm that was holding her steady.

"Hold on, okay?" Daniel said looking down, his voice reassuring. "We'll be there before you know it."

With a sharp command, Corviknight spread its massive wings, and within moments, they were airborne. The wind rushed past them, and the village below began to shrink as Corviknight climbed higher into the sky. Daniel felt Elizabeth tense below him, her small arms tightening their grip, and he could hear her sharp intake of breath as the ground fell away.

"You're doing great," Daniel said, his voice steady, though he could feel the girl trembling. "Just try to relax."

The flight back to the forest was quick, as Corviknight effortlessly cut through the air. Despite Daniel's calming words, Elizabeth remained tense, clutching onto him as if her life depended on it. She was silent, her face buried against his arm, but Daniel could feel the waves of nervous energy coming off her.

Before long, the familiar sight of the forest came into view. Corviknight began its descent, the dark trees of the forest rising up to meet them. As they approached the clearing near Daniel's cabin, the bird Pokémon landed smoothly, its talons gripping the soft earth as it came to a stop.

"We're here," Daniel said gently, but when he turned to look down at Elizabeth, he noticed her grip hadn't loosened. The girl's head was still resting against his arm, her eyes closed, and her breathing had evened out.

"She's asleep," Daniel murmured, realizing that the emotional toll of the day had finally caught up with her. Between her excitement, the flight, and everything that had happened, exhaustion had claimed her.

Carefully, Daniel shifted his position, gently easing Elizabeth off Corviknight's back and into his arms. She didn't stir, still fast asleep as her head rested against his chest. Squirtle, who had clung tightly to her during the flight, blinked up at Daniel with curious eyes but made no noise, sensing the calm.

"Good job, Corviknight," Daniel said softly, patting the bird's metallic feathers. Corviknight let out a low, satisfied caw before taking off once more, flying to the nearby treetops to rest.

With Elizabeth cradled in his arms, Daniel made his way toward his cabin. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the forest floor. The familiar sounds of the forest surrounded him—Pokémon rustling in the bushes, the wind whispering through the leaves, and the occasional chirp of a nearby bird Pokémon.

Once inside the cabin, Daniel gently laid Elizabeth on his bed. Her small form looked even more delicate as she curled into the soft blankets, her breathing steady and peaceful. Squirtle settled by her side, curling up at the foot of the bed with a contented sigh.

Daniel stood there for a moment, watching the girl and her Pokémon. It had been a long day, and he couldn't blame her for falling asleep. But now, he realized, he'd need a place to sleep himself. His cabin had only one bed, and with Elizabeth occupying it, he'd need to figure something out.

Stepping outside, Daniel glanced around the clearing. A few of the Pokémon that lived nearby were already wandering closer, curious about the new arrival. He spotted a group of Timburr and a Gurdurr not far off, busy constructing the path and the new library.

"I'll need your help again," Daniel said aloud, calling to the nearby Pokémon. The Timburrs perked up at his voice, eager to lend a hand. With their help, Daniel quickly gathered the necessary materials—logs, leaves, and a few sturdy branches. Within a short time, a simple bed was constructed beside the cabin, just outside under the cover of the trees.

The Pokémon worked efficiently, and by the time the sun had fully set, Daniel had a comfortable place to sleep for the night. He smiled gratefully at the Timburr and Gurdurr before bidding them goodnight.

As the stars began to twinkle overhead, Daniel carefully moved the bed inside. Soon he lay down on his makeshift bed, exhaustion tugging at his eyelids. The sounds of the forest, the gentle rustling of leaves, and the distant calls of Pokémon lulled him into a peaceful sleep.

~~~

The next morning, Daniel was roused from sleep by a gentle poking sensation against his cheek. He blinked groggily, his vision still hazy from sleep, but as his eyes focused, he found himself staring into the bright, smiling face of Elizabeth.

"Good morning, Mister!" she chirped, her finger still poised to poke his cheek again.

Daniel blinked in surprise, sitting up. "Elizabeth? You're up early."

Elizabeth giggled, stepping back to give him room to stand. "I was tired yesterday, but I feel great now! Squirtle woke me up, and we were waiting for you to wake up too."

Sure enough, Squirtle was nearby, waddling around the room, seemingly full of energy.

Daniel stretched and smiled. "Looks like you're both ready for the day."

"Are we going to explore the forest today?" Elizabeth asked eagerly, practically bouncing on her toes. "I want to see everything! And I want to learn more about Pokémon!"

Daniel nodded. "Sure, why not. Now that this is going to be your home, you'll need to familiarize yourself with it."

After grabbing a quick breakfast, Daniel led Elizabeth and Squirtle out of the cabin and toward the edge of the clearing. The path they had built through the forest was well-maintained, but today, Daniel had a different plan.

"We'll start by walking along the main path," he said, "but I want to take you off the path as well. There's a lot more to the forest than what you see here, and I want you to be comfortable navigating it."

Elizabeth's eyes lit up at the thought of exploring beyond the path. She had visited before but was told by Daniel and the other adults that she had to stay on the path at all times. Hearing that she heard otherwise, she was very happy.

She eagerly followed Daniel as they made their way into the woods, Squirtle scampering behind her.

As they walked, Daniel began explaining more about the Pokémon that inhabited the forest. "Every Pokémon you'll meet has its own abilities, strengths, and personality. Some are more aggressive, while others are shy. But they all have their place in the ecosystem here."

Elizabeth listened intently, her eyes scanning the trees and underbrush for any signs of movement. "Like Squirtle," she said, glancing down at her partner. "Squirtle is calm, but I know he's strong too."

Daniel smiled. "That's right. Squirtle's a Water-type Pokémon, which means it has abilities that let it control and manipulate water. If you train it well, Squirtle can grow even stronger and learn new moves as it evolves."

Elizabeth beamed, clearly proud of her Pokémon. "I want to make sure Squirtle becomes the strongest!"

They continued walking deeper into the forest, Daniel pointing out different areas where Pokémon gathered. "This part of the forest is where you'll find a lot of Bug-type Pokémon. Caterpie, Weedle, and Wurmple like to hide in the trees and bushes."

Elizabeth's eyes widened as she spotted a Caterpie inching its way up a nearby tree trunk. "Wow! How many different kinds of Pokémon are there?"

Daniel laughed. "More than you can count, and each one is unique."

As they ventured off the main path, Daniel guided Elizabeth through a small clearing where a river flowed gently through the trees. The sound of the water was calming, and a few Water-type Pokémon could be seen swimming in the shallow waters.

Elizabeth's face lit up with excitement as she spotted several Pokémon in the river, including a small group of Lotad, their lilypad-like backs floating on the surface.

"Are these water-type Pokémon too?" she exclaimed, running closer to the edge of the river. "I love them!"

Daniel chuckled and nodded, watching as Elizabeth knelt by the riverbank, Squirtle joining her as they observed the other Pokémon.

"You seem to have a special interest with Water-types," Daniel noted. "Maybe that's the kind of trainer you'll become—someone who specializes in Water Pokémon."

Elizabeth looked up at him with a bright smile. "Maybe, I do feel like they're way cooler!"