Lillipup: Seperated

 It was raining. All the Pokemon in the area had taken cover and one trainer and his Pokemon were running through the trees, in search for some form of cover. 

 The trainer was ten years old. He only had two badges and had started his journey two months before and were now travelling through Pinwheel forest. His partner, a Lillipup, ran beside him, fur soaked to the skin as its paws splashed in puddles. 

 "Hold on Lillipup! We'll find somewhere dry soon!" the trainer yelled over the wind. His name was Don. 

 The puppy Pokemon barked in response but its paws slipped on the muddy earth and it yelped as it fell face first into a puddle. Don gasped and stopped. He quickly picked Lillipup up out of the puddle and cradled it against his chest. 

 "Lillipup are you okay?" he asked in a worried tone.

 Lillipup nodded but let out a loud sneeze. Immediately after, Don felt his Pokemon trembling harshly and sniffling.

 "Here, I'll carry you. We should be close to the pokemon Center by now," Don promised. His Lillipup closed its eyes and tried to snuggle into his shirt. Don took off again, faster now. He wished he had his Pokeball for his Lillipup with him but he had left it at home by accident when they left in such a hurry to go on there journey. He got Lillipup as a birthday present a few months before he started his Pokemon journey. Since he left his Lillipup had traveled by his side and not in a Pokeball like normal pokemon usually did.

 A sudden flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed soon by a loud crash of thunder. The wind picked up and Don had trouble seeing in front of him.

 Don felt his heart skip a beat as it caught on a rock and he fell forward. He landed hard on the ground. Lillipup had been flung from his arms midfall and landed off the path near a raging river. Don got up and saw his Lillipup. Lillipup was getting up when a wave swept onto the land and brought Lillipup back into the water with it.

 "LILLIPUP!!!" Don screamed and ran forward. He could see his best friend flailing in the rapids and crying out as it struggled to keep its head above the water. Don ran along the river, trying to keep his eye on Lillipup. "Lillipup hold on!" he yelled out.

 Lillipup's head was suddenly out of sight as it went under.

 "LILLIPUP!!" Don screamed. Searching the water frantically to see if his Pokemon would resurface. 

 It never did.

__________________________________________________________

 After the storm and further downstream. A wild Herdier was walking along the riverbed searching for branches and leaves that would help with the repairs of his family's den. The storm had long since past but the winds had nearly destroyed their home.

 Herdier stopped when he saw something lying in the river, half in and half out. Herdier cautiously approached. This thing was near his home and his family. If it was a threat he had to make sure it wouldn't harm his family. 

 But as Herdier got closer he saw soaking wet fur and saw that this Pokemon was barely breathing. he gasped as he identified the Pokemon. It was a Lillipup. Mud clung to its fur but it was obvious the rain and river water had washed away most of it. Its fur clung tightly against its small frame and it was unconscious.

Herdier darted forward and grabbed it gently by the scruff and gently pulled it fully out of the water and began licking its face. Soon the Lillipup began coughing. 

 herdier expected it to cough up water but nothing came out. Lillipup kept coughing and had rolled onto its stomach. Retching as if trying to throw up. out of panic Herder slammed a paw into its back and it yelped as it was propelled into the mud. But was relieved when it began coughing up the water that had been blocking its airways.

 When Lillipup was finished coughing up water it flopped down and panted on the ground.

 "Are you okay young one?" Herdier asked, sniffing the Lillipups face. 

 Lillipup looked up, eyes barely open. "huh..." that was all it could get out before it collapsed unconscious.

 Herdier pulled back and looked at the Lillipup. It reminded him so much of his own little pups back with his mate. Of course his own pups had only been born two weeks ago so they weren't near as big as this one was.

 Herdier picked up the Lillipup by the scruff and gently lifted it up. He then began making his way back to the den. 

_____________________________________________________

 Lillipup moaned and shifted in the bed of soft moss he lay on...wait? Moss?

 Lillipup opened his eyes and looked around. "Where am I?" he said to himself and attempted to stand only to fall back down as his legs gave out under him.

 "You should take it easy for a while," a voice said. Lillipup looked around and saw a female Herdier lying down with two small bundles of fur curled up against her tummy fur.

 "Who are you? How did I get here?" Lillipup asked.

 "My mate found you by the river half drowned. Are you alright?" she asked.

 "A little sore and tired but I think I'll be okay. What did you say your name was?" Lillipup asked again.

 "Oh sorry," the Herdier giggled. "You may call me Mika."

 Lillipup nodded. "Hi Mika," Lillipup's eyes wandered down to the two sleeping bundles and smiled excitedly. "Are those your pups?"

 Mika smiled warmly. "yes," she said, licking one of their heads. She looked up at Lillipup with a frown. "You are quite young yourself. Where is your mother? She must be worried sick about you."

 Lillipup thought for a moment. Should he tell her he was a tamed Pokemon. Would she still accept him into her home? Lillipup thought about it and found it no use in lying. besides, maybe they could help him find his trainer.

 "I don' know my mother. I belong to a trainer..." Lillipup awaited her response.

 Mika frowned more and thought a moment. "You do not know your mother?"

 Lillipup frowned. "I do not remember her. I was with humans all my life. I remember I was born in a farm and given to a human. I was then given to my trainer as a birthday gift."

 "Do you...like being a trained Pokemon?" Mika asked, unsure.

 Lillipup nodded. "It's great! I get to battle and Don, oh, that's my masters name, is my best friend! he plays with me and feeds me and takes care of me and he doesn't even put me in a Pokeball!"

 "He doesn't?" Mika tilted her head.

 "Nope," Lillipup exclaimed proudly.

 "Do you have a name?" Mika said slowly, knowing not many trained Pokemon have real names like wild Pokemon do.

 Lillipup paused. "What do you mean?"

 "A name. My name is Mika. My mate has a name and so do my pups. What about you?" Mika pressed.

 "My master usually just called me Lillipup," Lillipup explained.

 Mika shook her head. "That is no proper name. At least when I was a trainers Pokemon my trainer had the decency to give me a name."

 Lillipup stared at her in shock. "You mean your not a wild Herdier?"

 Mika laughed softly and shook her head. "No, I am a wild Pokemon. I left my master because I did not like being controlled by humans. Always kept inside a Pokemon. My master had forgotten me once. Left me at the Pokemon center by accident. She came back three days later. By that time a realized that I had to go. My trainer was careless and did not understand how to care for her Pokemon. I tried to convince the others but they would not listen. So I ran away and left them. Then I met Grasshopper, my mate."

 "Do you...ever miss your trainer?" Lillipup asked. 

 "No. Honesty I couldn't be happier to have left. I love being free. Though sometimes I do think about my friends, the other Pokemon my trainer had. I had to leave them behind and that was the only thing I had regret for. But I learned to move on." 

 "Do you think my trainer is looking for me?" Lillipup asked softly, looking down at his paws.

 "Do you think he is?" Mika asked gently.

 Lillipup looked up at her. "Of course. Why wouldn't he be. We're best friends and he would never leave me behind no matter what!" Lillipup insisted.

 Mika smiled. "Well then there's your answer."

 Lillipup smiled and nodded. He stood up and walked to the entrance of the den. It was sunny out. It was still wet of course. But the storm had ended. He turned to look at Mika. "How long was I here for?"

 Mika looked up and thought for a second. "Grasshopper brought you in this morning and it's past high sun now. So about half the day."

 Lillipup's heart dropped. "The storm was yesterday...I have to find Don!" Lillipup turned tail to run out of the den but he bumped into a wall of fur and fell back. He looked up to see the Herdier he presumed was Grasshopper. 

 "You are not going anywhere," he said. "Not until you regain your strength."

 Lillipup's ears dropped. "But..."

 "No but's young one. You are not strong enough yet and who knows how long it will take you to find your trainer. Why you would want to find it is beyond me but if it makes you happy I'll help you search a little until we get so far," Grasshopper said.

 Lillipup smiled. "Thank you."

 "It's fine. Now here," he said, rolling two Oran berries towards him. "Eat these and get some sleep. We leave tomorrow morning."

 Lillipup nodded and took the berries back to where he woke up and took a bite from one. After he ate one of the Oran berries his eyelids grew heavy and he drifted off into sleep.

_________________________________________________________________

 "Who is he?"

 "I dunno. Poke him."

 Lillipup heard small voices whisper through the darkness.

 "I'm not gonna poke him! You poke him!"

 He heard a small 'Oof' and then felt small breath on his nose. Wrinkling his nose in discomfort, Lillipup started to open his eyes. He opened his eyes to two faces staring at him curiously. The closer one reached out and pushed his paw into Lillipups nose. 

 "Children cut that out! Can you not see how tired he is?" he recognized Mika's voice immediately.

 "But mom!" both pups whined.

 "I said stop. he is our guest and he needs his rest!"

 "Alright..." the paw came off his nose and Lillipup sat up and looked down at the two puppies that looked up at him with wide eyes. 

 "Now see what you've don? You've gone and woken him up."

 The pups seemed to ignore her. One of them went up on its hindlegs and held itself up by putting its paws on Lillipups chest. "Who are you?" it squeaked, this one was a boy. Lillipup guessed the other one was a girl because of the voice he heard before he woke up one sounded female and the other one male.

 "Um...I'm Lillipup," Lillipup replied with a tilt of his head.

 The smaller Lillipup giggled. "No silly. Your name. What's your name?"

 Mika walked over and sent an apologetic look at Lillipup then she looked down at her pup. "He is a tame Pokemon sweety. He doesn't have a name other than Lillipup."

 Both Lillipup stared at him with wide eyes. The female came over and sniffed his mangled fur. "He doesn't look like a tame Pokemon. He is all messy."

 "Lula! Don't be rude!" Mika scowled.

 "But mommy! Tame Pokemon are supposed to be all groomed and clean looking. He doesn't look like that," Lula argued.

 "Now Lula I said don't be rude," she looked up at Lillipup now. "I'm sorry for their behavior. They are just curious."

 Lillipup smiled and nodded. "It's okay," he looked outside and saw it was brighter than before. "What time is it?" 

 "The sun just came up. Grasshopper said he went to look for something for us all to eat and then after you've eaten you'll be on your way," Mika said.

 Lillipup smiled happily. "Great! I'm greatful for your kindness. Not many wild Pokemon are like that."

 Mika frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"

 "Well I have met wild Pokemon before, they weren't always the nicest. Like ones me and Don got attacked by a bunch of Liepard."

 "Yes well Liepard are slimy ones. They are never to be trusted," Mika said scornfully.

 Lillipup was about to speak when he heard a russling and jumped to his feet growling at the entrance. He relaxed though when Grasshopper entered carrying a big leaf he had folded like a bag. Inside were some various types of berries. The pups jumped up and down and ran to their father.

 Lillipup smiled at them. They all ate and once they finished grasshopper walked over to Lillipup. "Well are you ready to go?" he asked.

 Lillipup nodded and followed Grasshopper out. The pups and Mika followed too. Lillipup turned and looked up at Mika. "Thank you for caring for me. and being so nice. I wish I could give you something in return but..."

 Mika nodded in understanding. "I understand. Just go find your trainer and don't forget us ya hear?"

 Lillipup nodded and then the pups ran up to him crying. "No don't leave!" Lula cried out.

 Lillipup bent down to their level and touched them both on the nose. "Lulla, Teddy. I have to go. My place is not in the wild. It's with my trainer."

 "But can't you stay here with us?" Teddy whined, tears shone in his eyes.

 Lillipup straightened up and shook his head. "I'm sorry guys. I gotta go."

 Mika walked forward and touched noses with him. "We're going to miss you," she whispered.

 "I know," Lillipup whispered back. "I'm going to miss you too" He backed up and smiled at them. "thank you again. But I guess this is goodbye." Mika nodded. "I hope I'll see you all again," he looked at Teddy and Lula. "And maybe by then you'll be as big as me."

 Lulla jumped up. "yes! I will be big too!" she puffed out her chest proudly but Teddy looked sad.

 "Teddy? What's wrong?" Lillipup asked.

 Teddy sniffled. "I don't want you to go!" Teddy cried out.

 Lillipup frowned. "Teddy," he leaned down to face him. "Listen to me now. Sometimes you have to say goodbye to the ones you love. No matter how much you don't want to sometimes you just have to and you have to move on to honor their memories. Understand?"

 Teddy sniffled again. "Y-yeah."

 "Good," Lillipup smiled. he looked back at Grasshopper. "Ready?"

 Grasshopper nodded. "I'll return soon Mika. Pups be good for your mother." He turned and began walking. Lillipup took one more look at Mika and the pups before racing after him.

________________________________________________________________________________

 They'd been walking for a while now. It was sun-high. Grasshopper stopped by a river. "This is where I found you. We should start by going upstream and finding where you remember you were separated from your trainer."

 Lillipup nodded and followed Grasshopper upstream.

 "Now look out for anything that seemed familiar to you okay?" Grasshopper instructed.

 Lillipup did just that as they continued on. Another two hours go by when Lillipup stops and looks at a hill leading down into the river. A small mud track traveled down from the very top right down to the river. Lillipup gasped.

 "There! That's where I fell in!" he said and ran forward to the mudslide. He began making his way up the hill. "It's hard to tell because it was hard to see in the storm but I remember the hill and this must be the right place!" he scampered up onto the path and looked around. "DON!!" he called out loudly.

 Grasshopper ran up and growled at him. "What are you doing! Your going to attract unwanted attention! And besides, your trainer wouldn't be here still. It's been three days since the storm."

 Lillipup deflated. "Sorry. I just got excited."

 Grasshopper sighed. "Do you at least remember where you were heading?"

 Lillipup thought for a second. "The Pokemon Center! We were heading there," he told Grasshopper.

 "There is a small chance he is still there if he stayed looking for you. Come on we should hurry," Grasshopper said and they both began running. Five minutes went by when Grasshopper spoke again. "The Pokemon Center is not far from here. We should be there in an hour if we keep up a good pace."

 Lillipup got excited. he was so close to his trainer that he could feel it. Though thirty minutes go by and Lillipup had slowed down panting, he was limping now as his paws throbbed. He didn't understand. He'd run further then this before without breaking a sweat.

 Grasshopper slowed down to match his pace. "You are still weak from before and you barely moved in three days. It is natural for you to get worn out so quickly. Lets take a rest and get something to eat shall we?"

 Lillipup nodded and followed Grasshopper to a bush where there was shade. Lillipup flopped down.

 "I will go find some food. You try and rest," Grasshopper said and ran into the trees. 

 Lillipup turned and lay on his side, panting heavily. Happy that his paws got a break though. A few minutes past and Lillipup heard some voices and they were getting louder. Lillipup looked up and saw two humans walking up the path. They stopped when they saw Lillipup though.

 "Hey look! A Lillipup!" one of them said. 

 "Yeah. Maybe I should catch it!" the other said. He already had out a Pokeball. Lillipup's eyes widened and he jumped to his feet and backed into the bush, staring up at the trainers with wide eyes.

 "I dunno Ray. It looks like it doesn't want to be captured," the other one said.

 "Well duh. All Pokemon in the wild feel that way. Until I catch it, go Minccino!" he said and threw a Pokeball. Out came a small gray furred Pokemon. He was about to order it to attack when the other one stopped him. "Hey! Zack! What's the big deal!"

 "Look at it Ray! It's weak already! Maybe we should catch it and take it to the Pokemon center first?" Zack said.

 Lillipups eyes widened. "No! You can't catch me! I'm already taken!" he cried out, knowing they couldn't understand him though. Minccino looked back at her trainer though with a confused look.

 A snarl was heard and suddenly Grasshopper was there. Snarling at the two humans, who backed away in fear at the growling Pokemon. Ray smiled excitedly though. "Wow! A Herdier! That's even better than a Lillipup! Minccino use tackle!!"

 Minccino frowned and told her trainer. "I can't! The Lillipup belongs to someone already! He said so!"

 Herdier looked at he Minccino and stepped forward. "It's pointless. They do not understand us."

 "Wait...if he's a trainer Pokemon where is his trainer?" Minccino asked.

 "Lillipup was separated from his trainer during the storm. I am helping him find his trainer," Grasshopper said.

 "Minccino! What are you doing?! Don't talk to it! Tackle it!" Ray cried out in frustration.

 "Do it," Grasshopper said. "Lillipup you run into the trees and wait for me near the hollowed tree. Minccino do as your trainer tells you but after two attacks I will follow Lillipup alright?"

 "Right!" Minccino agreed. She charged forward and Grasshopper took the hit. He stumbling back and Lillipup ran into the bushes.

 "Hollow tree. Hollow tree," Lillipup repeated to himself until he found it. He crawled inside and waited. Not long later did Grasshopper join him. 

 Grasshopper was panting. "You alright kiddo?"

 Lillipup nodded. "Yeah. Thanks to you."

 Grasshopper nodded. "I had to leave the berries I gather but we are not far from a Sitrus bush." They left the tree and found the berry bush. Each ate three berries before they headed towards the path again. 

 "We need to be careful of humans this close to them. We'll stay just by the tree line next to the path and we should be fine till we get to the Pokemon center."

 Lillipup was getting impatient though. This set them back a few minutes and every minute is a minute that Don could be further away. he picked up the pace. "Come on!"

 Grasshopper frowned but followed anyways. Twenty minutes go by when Grasshopper tells Lillipup to stop. Lillipup did so but looked back at Grasshopper in confusion. Grasshopper was walking now. And Lillipup walked along side him. in ten minutes the Pokemon center was in sight. Lillipup looked around and saw no sign of his trainer though. 

 Grasshopper looked down at Lillipup. "Now Lillipup. You know we will be parting soon right?"

 Lillipup looked up at Grasshopper. "Huh?"

 "Well you have to go with your trainer. And I must get back to my family. In the few days I have known you...well you have grown on me. I thoguht of you as my own pup in the time I've known you."

 Lillipup looked up at the Herdier with shocked eyes. Then they began to tear up. "Grasshopper... I'm gonna miss you."

 Grasshopper smiled and nuzzled Lillipups' nose. "I'm going to miss you too. Now come on. lets go find your trainer."

 Lillipup took a deep breath before he and Grasshopper made their way over to the Pokemon center. The door opened automatically and Lillipup and Grasshopper cautiously stepped in.

 Lillipup gulped when he saw those two trainers and their Minccino. Minccino caught Lillipups eye and the trainers looked to see them, their eyes widening.

 "Hey look. It's that Lillipup and Herdier. What are they doing in here?" Ray said in surprise. Zack shrugged.

 One Pokemon on the counter of the front desk saw them. "Lillipup?" it was Don's Pidove. Pidove jumped in surprise and flapped one of her wings. "Lillipup! I that really you!" she chirped. Lillipup gasped and looked up to see Pidove. 

 "Pidove! Your here! Where's Don?" Lillipup yipped happily. Don must still be here! Lillipup frowned though when he saw Pidove's bandaged wing. "Pidove! What happened to your wing?"

 Pidove looked down at her wing. "We were looking to you and I was attacked by a flock of Swoobat. I'm okay though. Don is out looking for you. He should be back soon I suppose...who's this?" she asked, looking at Grasshopper.

 "Oh. Sorry. This is Grasshopper. Grasshopper this is Pidove," Lillipup introduced. Pidove was the first Pokemon that Don had actually caught. Pidove turned when Nurse Joy came out. Her eyes widened when she saw the two dog Pokemon.

 "Oh my!" she gasped. She looked at Lillipup. "Hm...I wonder if this is the same Lillipup that boy Don has been searching for."

 Lillipup yipped happily when he heard Don's name. Joy walked around the counter and picked him up. 

 "I suppose I should give you a checkup and get you cleaned up for when he returns now shouldn't I?" Joy said with a smile. She knew Don would be happy when he sees Lillipup again. 

 Lillipup nodded and Nurse Joy began walking away. She stopped when she heard Grasshopper growing at her and turned to see him a foot away from her.

 "Oh...do you know this Herdier?" Nurse joy asked Lillipup.

 Lillipup nodded. "uh-huh. Grasshopper it's okay. You can wait out here with Pidove if you want."

 Grasshopper reluctantly sat down and let Nurse Joy take Lillipup away.

______________________________________

 Lillipup smiled as he looked down at his shiny coat. After a checkup and a bath he was feeling so much better.  

 Lillipup had started dozing off when Joy was bringing him out and was almost asleep when he heard Joy speak.

 "Hello Don. Look who showed up wile you were away," Lillipup's eyes snapped open and his head popped up. Eyes landing on the familiar form of his trainer, his tail subconsciously began to wag but he couldn't find the will to speak.

 Don seemed speechless as well. He stood up slowly. Pidove on his shoulder was smiling. Grasshopper was nowhere to be seen though. After a moment of silence, Don spoke. "L-Lillipup?"

 Lillipup yipped hapopily. "Don!" he cried out and jumped into his trainers arms. Don hugged him close. 

 "Oh Lillipup you had me so worried! Your not hurt are you?" Don asked, looking into Lillipup's eyes.

 Nurse Joy stepped forward. "I gave it a checkup and cleaned it. It's in perfect health."

 Don smiled and gave a relieved sigh. "That's good. Thank you Nurse Joy."

 Nurse Joy nodded and looked around. "Hm...I wonder what happened to that Herdier."

 "A Herdier?" Don asked.

 "Yes. When I came in there was a Herdier with your Lillipup. It seemed quite protective when I was taking Lillipup away so I am surprised its not still here."

 Lillipup and Don stared blankly at Joy. Lillipup looked at Pidove but Pidove shrugged as if saying. 'I don't know where he went.'

_______________________________________

 "Hm...I guess that wasn't a wild Lillipup afterall," Ray said, disappointed. 

 "Oh well. Maybe next time." Zack said. he smiled though. It was good that lillipup found its trainer again. And they seemed really happy seeing each other again. "Ya can't catch them all I guess."

 Minccino smiled and wiped a tear away from her eye with her tail when she watched the reunion of Lillipup and his trainer.

________________________________________

 They spent the rest of the night in the Pokemon center and left in the morning. They were walking for a while when Lillipup heard something behind them and stopped. Don stopped too and saw a Herdier stepping out onto the path and walking up to Lillipup.

 "So this is your trainer?" he asked.

 Lillipup nodded. "I thought you left though."

 "No. I had to see if you were safe. Now you be good now," he looked up at Don. "And you be good to him ya hear me?"

 Don smiled and got down on one knee. "So your the Herdier that helped Lillipup out?" Grasshopper nodded. Don ruffling his head fur. "Thank you. If it weren't for you than I mightn't of seen Lillipup again."

 Grasshopper stared at him before smiling and happily barking. Don smiled. Then Grasshopper looked down at Lillipup. "So I guess this is our final goodbye then huh?"

 Lillipup nodded. "Guess so."

 Grasshopper sighed. "I'm gonna miss ya kid."

 Lillipup wiped his teary eyes with his paw. Grasshopper used his own paw to tilt Lillipup's head up so he was looking at him. "You win lots of those little gym battles for me okay?"

 Lillipup smiled and nodded. Blinking the tears out of his eyes. "Okay. I will."

 Grasshopper smiled and turned and began walking back down the path. 

 Lillipup took a leap forward and called out. "I'll never forget you Grasshopper! Thank you! Thank you for everything!"

 When Grasshopper was out of sight Lillipup and Don turned and began walking again.

 "You had quite the little adventure didn't you Lillipup?" Don said, looking down at his beloved Pokemon with a smile.

 Lillipup looked up at Don and Smiled. He'd never forget Grasshopper and his family. And for some reason. He had the feeling this wouldn't be the last he'd see of them. One day, they will meet again.