The crackle of the campfire filled the quiet night. Al crouched over a pot, stirring a soup made from berries and wild herbs he'd gathered earlier. The smell was sweet and earthy, carried on the cool forest breeze.
He sighed, leaning back and brushing sweat from his forehead. "Guess I'll be vegetarian for a while… at least until I get out of this world."
Satisfied, he set the spoon aside and walked to a fallen log, one Dreepy had eagerly helped him drag earlier. He sat down heavily, the fire's glow flickering across his face. For a moment, the campsite felt too quiet.
Then, something tugged at his pocket. The watch floated up into the air, its golden chain glimmering in the firelight.
[Sir,] Pocket's calm voice chimed, [the Dreepy would like to come out.]
Al's lips curved into a smile. He nodded. "Yeah, let her out. She must be lonely in there."
The watch's casing clicked open, its surface shimmering until a tiny island landscape appeared within. A second later, a soft blur of green and red darted out.
"Dreep~!"
The little dragon cried as she zipped straight into Al's chest, rubbing her face against his shirt. Her small body trembled slightly, and Al could feel the dampness of her tears soaking into the fabric.
"Aww… hey, it's okay." Al scooped her into his arms and stroked her smooth head, his voice gentle. "One day, you'll be surrounded by friends. But for now…" He smiled softly. "You can sleep with me."
Later, they shared the meal. Al took his time feeding her with a spoon, chuckling each time she leaned forward eagerly for another bite. When the fire dwindled and the forest grew quiet again, he stretched out on the ground. Dreepy nestled against his chest, letting out a faint, happy hum as her eyes closed.
---
The first rays of dawn cut through the forest canopy, painting the campsite in shades of gold. Al stirred, blinking away the heaviness of sleep. When he sat up, he felt a faint weight pressing against his leg.
Looking down, his gaze softened. Dreepy lay sprawled across him, tongue lolling out as she breathed in tiny, steady puffs.
Al couldn't help but chuckle. "You really know how to get comfortable, huh?"
Carefully, he reached down and tapped her nose with his index finger. "Wakey, wakey. Time to move."
His voice was light, but his eyes betrayed the weight of thoughts still lingering in the back of his mind. Even so, the smile never left his lips.
Dreepy squirmed awake, blinking sleepily before stretching her tiny body. With a soft cry, she clung to Al's hand, pressing herself tightly against it as though refusing to let go.
Sighing—though it carried no frustration—Al rose to his feet. He began tidying the camp with practiced motions, breaking it down until there was no trace they had ever been there. Each item vanished neatly into Pocket's storage, the golden watch glowing faintly as it swallowed their belongings.
Finally, Al doused the fire, watching the last curl of smoke rise and vanish into the morning breeze.
"Alright," he muttered under his breath, adjusting his collar. "Let's see where the road takes us."
Dreepy perched herself atop his head, humming happily as if she had no doubts.
Al stepped onto the path ahead, guided not by map, plan, or prophecy—but by a quiet pull in his chest. He had never put stock in destiny. But his gut… that, he trusted.
---
W
The forest was unusually still. Al's instincts prickled, and his steps slowed. He could feel eyes on him. Shadows darted between the trunks, fast and deliberate.
Then, with a flash of violet eyes, a small figure stepped from the undergrowth. Its fur bristled, aura sharp with hunger and malice—Morpeko, in its hangry form.
Al's muscles tensed. The air snapped with energy a heartbeat before the rodent lunged.
{Quick Attack.}
He rolled sideways, landing in a crouch as the attack tore through the space he'd just been standing in. The smell of ozone hit him an instant later, sharp and chemical, stinging his nose.
"Damn." Al muttered, already bracing—
{Thunder Shock.}
Bolts crackled past him, searing the bark of a nearby tree. His hair stood on end from the static.
"Pocket!" he barked, eyes darting as Morpeko skidded around for another strike. "Get me some berries."
[Specify, Sir.] Pocket's voice chimed calmly.
Al ducked under snapping jaws, noting a faint dark patch marring the Pokémon's leg. "Rawst. And a few Oran and Leppa, hurry!"
{Bite.}
Morpeko lunged again, fangs bared. With reflex sharpened by desperation, Al flicked a Rawst berry straight into its open mouth.
The rodent gagged mid-leap, skidding to a halt. Its ears twitched, and it chewed. The sharp tension in its gaze dulled slightly—only for a moment, but it was enough.
Al seized it. He yanked Pocket open, chains extending with a mechanical clatter, and a cascade of berries tumbled onto the ground—blue Oran, pink Leppa, and a few more Rawst rolling free.
Morpeko froze. Then, with a wobble, its eyes locked on the pile.
"...Well?" Al muttered, chest rising and falling with controlled breaths.
The Pokémon waddled over and dove headfirst into the mound, cheeks bulging as it stuffed itself happily. Slowly, its body shifted back, slipping out of its hangry form, the storm of energy fading.
Al wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and let out a long sigh. "Tch… what a feisty little thing."
Morpeko looked up mid-chew, cheeks puffed and crumbs smeared on its fur. Its ears perked, and—despite itself—it smiled at him, tail wagging as if they hadn't been enemies moments before.
Al smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Cute face doesn't erase the fact you almost fried me."
But the bite-sized troublemaker just wiggled its ears again, clearly pleased.