The chilly night air scraped against Wally’s lungs, forcing a set of hoarse coughs to spew from his mouth. He’d somewhat anticipated the cold; an extra, warm blanket meekly loaned from his uncle had been taken from his backpack and tightly wrapped around himself and his Ralts, the tiny pokémon’s head poking out from beneath the folds of their sleeping bag as he shivered in sync with his trainer. Camping in the woods wasn’t exactly what he’d planned for tonight—he’d much rather be warm in his own bed and snuggled up against his pillow instead of lying uncomfortably on the forest floor. But this is what real trainers did: how they hardened their resolve and grew stronger as they journeyed into the unknown.
“A-Are you sure you don’t want to go back in your ball?” Wally’s voice quivered as he turned his attention toward his partner. “You’re cold…”
Ralts looked at him and shook his head, a pulse of polite disagreement reverberating through Wally’s mind. He knew Ralts hated his ball; the empath highly disliked being confined to a space in which he couldn’t feel. As overwhelming as the world’s feelings could be, a comfy spot on his trainer’s shoulder would always be preferable to suspension in what he felt was cold, untraceable apathy.
“Well i-if you wanna, please let me know,” Wally replied, hugging Ralts a little tighter. “I don’t want you getting sick…” His partner was still a bit feeble, but not by his own fault, though; Ralts weren’t ever physically adept—the time he’d spent combing through its bio report had made that abundantly clear—but their battle against Brendan was still wearing heavily on the tiny pokémon’s body.
Another pulse of concern brushed his thoughts; Ralts was worried about him, too. His trainer’s breath was still rough—a sign of his lungs growing weary—and the touch of his fingers was still cold. The fear in his mind intensified; was this still a good idea? Maybe they should keep moving. The next town couldn’t be too far, right? Wally couldn’t get colder!
“Don’t worry! Don’t worry,” Wally soothed his partner, gently rubbing his head. “I’m alright… Really, I am.” He smothered his doubt and reached into his pocket, pulling out his inhaler and giving it a huff. While the fire in his chest began to quell, another burned brighter in his core. He was going to be strong. His body wouldn’t deter him, nor would the frigid night… hopefully.
Swoooooooshhhh… A breeze suddenly rustled through the branches above, sending errant leaves spiraling downward upon the sleepy duo below.
“Ow…!” Wally hissed as one nearly poked him in the eye. Ralts squeaked in concern and motioned to cover where he’d been struck, anxious to protect his trainer from any more harm.
The air began to stir again; the shrill echo of the wind sent a tinge of unease down Wally’s spine. He brushed Ralts’ hands aside and assured him he was okay. Even when they were frightened, nothing could hurt them if they were together.
Rustle… Rustle…
Wally jolted at the sound of something moving quickly through the bushes. “W-What was that…?” he muttered and suppressed another cough, clutching Ralts a little tighter as the pokémon whined. Was it just the wind? It certainly sounded louder than that, but maybe the tension of his first night in the wild was starting to get to him.
“You feel anything?” he asked Ralts, silently hoping his fears would be denied.
Ralts looked up and around, his mind sifting through the inky black expanse of the forest depths—or at least as far as it could possibly reach. After a moment, he shook his head again and squeaked. Nothing.
“That’s a relief…” Wally sighed, sinking back into the sleeping bag. The last thing he and Ralts needed was another surprise encounter with a wayward foe. He wondered how Brendan did it: traveling far from home without the guarantee of shelter each night, danger creeping around every corner—the world beyond his room was so scary, yet still so fascinating! He shuffled around his covers, trying desperately to find that sweet spot, but the ground beneath him felt like a hot plate. If he was already this rattled, could he really make it out here?
A bright red glow suddenly coated his vision. The pokémon wrapped in his arms began to warm, humming softly as the fretful thoughts spiraling around his mind melted into nothing. Wally smiled and fluttered his eyes shut; one of the few moves they’d perfected in their short partnership was Calm Mind, and Ralts loved using it whenever he sensed his trainer’s mind was weary.
“Thanks, buddy…” Wally muttered and peered down at Ralts. “We really oughta relax, huh?”
Ralts nodded and squeezed his trainer into a hug. He sent a pulse of joy into Wally’s mind. There was nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.
Wally sighed and smiled, shifting onto his back while Ralts comfortably slid into the space between his arm and waist. The sky was beautiful tonight; stars polka-dotted clouds of white and blue on the canvas of the ether. It was almost as beautiful as the views of Petalburg, but this… this felt blissful. He’d finally broken free from the confines of his bedroom walls, leaving him to gawk at the world above he’d only ever viewed from the wrong side of a window. This sight—the universe staring you right in the eyes and flaunting its grandeur—was surely something no trainer could pass up.
“But is this sight meant for me…” he whispered under his breath. Mauville’s beatdown was still fresh in his mind; the way Brendan’s pokémon effortlessly tossed Ralts to the side like he was merely a toy still stung. The trainer from Littleroot had only received his starter days before he had, but his prowess in battle was undeniable—inevitable, in fact. His assurance afterward made his thoughts fester even worse: “You did your best!” “You’ll only get better from here!” In the moment he’d appreciated the kindness, but now it only made him question his potential. Why couldn’t something, anything, come easily?
Ralts cried in protest and nudged his side. He was getting into his own head again! Since they’d met, Wally had shown him nothing but kindness and faith; he needed to be and have both in himself!
“You’re right,” Wally shivered as another breeze brushed his cheeks. “If I’m gonna—if we’re gonna get stronger, I need to keep working hard!” He lightly lifted a fist into the air and then pumped it, Ralts mimicking him with glee. Tomorrow would be a new day—a new opportunity to be great—
Rustle… Crackle…
“H-Huh?” Wally sat up and carefully surveyed the foliage around him. His eyes darted towards the tree his backpack was lying up against; he couldn’t make out what, but something was feverishly digging through it, the silhouette of its tail wagging rapidly as it ejected the assortments of goods he’d just saved up to buy.
“R-Ralts?” he whispered, sitting up as quietly as he could. “Q-Quick! What is that?!”
Ralts quivered and nodded, tensely tiptoeing onto the dirt and beginning to focus.
A wandering mind…
A lonely soul…
… and a kind heart.
The pokémon’s muscles relaxed as he beamed his impressions back to his fearful trainer. This creature meant no harm; it felt lost, hasty, and hungry. But most importantly… it felt nice!
Wally nodded and held a fist to his heart. He took a deep breath, slowly rising from the sleeping bag and standing behind Ralts. He hadn’t yet encountered a wild pokémon with such an aura; most either wanted a piece of Ralts or darted out of sight before he could so much as throw a ball. Maybe this was more than just a random encounter. Maybe this was his first chance at a new companion—to be more like Brendan!
The two inched closer, soft purring growing louder in their ears as the creature happily munched on berries and poffins with its head shoved firmly inside the bag. Wally gently urged Ralts to stay on guard—an unforeseen strike could prove devastating, especially with how far they were from town!
“Urk—!”
Wally clutched his mouth as air welled up his throat. Not now. Not now. What if he startled the pokémon?! He planted his front foot into the dirt, clenching his jaw in a fruitless attempt to seal the gust pounding beneath his lips. Why couldn’t his body—his cursed, wretched airways—give him merely a moment of reprieve?
“AUCK—CAUGH!!”
He clutched his chest and slightly buckled over, coughs jetting from his throat like balls of fire. This was inevitable, really—each step he took further from home seemed to be followed by these waves of anguish, stern reminders that Arceus had not written his destiny amongst these stars.
Ralts looked back at his trainer with fear, quickly jolting over to his side to soothe the woes that’d begun leaching his joy. He was hurting badly again. He could feel it; his rasps were laced with inadequacy, embarrassment, and irrational guilt like he’d already failed. He clutched his trainer’s leg while the warm glow of his horn illuminated the night. Wally was not a failure. He wasn’t, he wasn’t, he wasn’t—
“Skiiit…?”
The pair looked toward the noise in sync. Out from the shadows stepped a small pink feline; its eyes were squinted, ears twitching while its head remained tilted in curiosity. Wally recognized it immediately: Skitty! He caught his sputtering breath and slowly stood up with Ralts in tow, the pokémon settling back onto his trainer’s shoulder.
“H-Hi there,” he gently waved. Even after his fit, he still hadn’t scared it away? His composure had to stay solid now. “Are you, uh—are you lost?”
“Tii!” Skitty chirped and strolled up to the boy’s legs. Its cream-colored cheeks were stained with berry juice; it must’ve done a number on his berry stock. Wally sighed and crouched, his finger gently scratching the kitten’s cheeks while it purred happily.
“You’re so cute…” Wally muttered, his thoughts still swirling with doubt. Was it only being gentle because it wanted more food? Would it—upon realizing he had nothing left to give—turn tail and run away?
Calm… Happy… Safe! Ralts relayed Skitty’s emotions to Wally to ensure there was no doubt in his mind. Skitty trusted him—not out of greed or necessity, but because he was kind. It could sense it.
Wally felt himself beginning to tear up at Ralts’ encouragement, but quickly put on a strong face. This was his time to shine. All he had to do was ask.
“Say… I can take care of you if you’d like!” He motioned his head toward Ralts. “My buddy here said you were feeling hungry and lost, and I can get you plenty more berries!” He briefly wondered if he was coming off too strong, but a gentle nuzzle against his palm told him everything he needed to know.
“Are you sure?” This felt too easy, too… simple for him to feel truly okay with. A part of him wanted to test his strength—to prove he was worthy of Skitty’s trust, and he couldn’t just ignore it. If he always took the easy way out—the memory of pleading to Norman flashed in his mind—how would he ever get stronger?
Skitty chirped as Wally lifted his hand from its cheek. His mind might not believe it, but his heart did.
“I… I want you to see what we’re made of first!” He turned to Ralts and nodded confidently. “Let’s battle!”
“Tiii tii!” Skitty cried, eagerly wagging its tail and planting its paws in the dirt. It was ready. He was ready!
“Alright then,” Wally smiled and pointed. “Here we come!” Ralts jumped off his shoulder and cried, his shrill yell reflecting his trainer’s newfound confidence. The pokémon’s heart soared; Wally believed again.
“Ralts! Confusion!” Wally asserted. Spirals of purple and red shot forcefully from Ralts’ horn and careened straight towards Skitty. With a swift hop, Skitty darted to the side, perfectly dodging the beam and sending it crashing into the woods.
“W-Woah!” Wally exclaimed. “You’re fast!” He recalled the speed of Brendan’s pokémon—his unwavering faith and determination in their abilities granting them unparalleled agility. He wanted that. He knew he could become that.
“But… we are too! Intercept it!” he commanded, swiping his arm to the side. Ralts pinged his mind with confidence and shot another beam. Before Skitty could straighten its bearings, it struck dead on, sending it flying backward into a bush.
“N-Nice one!” Wally undid a ball from his waist. He hadn’t intended to fall asleep wearing his belt, but maybe he was meant to after all! He gripped it tightly, anxiously awaiting Skitty’s emergence from the bush and hoping he’d have his chance.
“Tiiiii!!”
The kitten exploded from the foliage with a stream of stars aimed directly at Ralts. He had to act, and fast!
“Ralts!! Teleport!”
Ralts—as if he’d already known—vanished in a sharp burst of polychromatic light. He reappeared slightly astray, catching his balance as Skitty dove headfirst into where he’d stood.
“Now!” Wally yelled, the adrenaline in his veins causing his breath to run hot. “One more time! Confusion!”
Ralts cried out with conviction as he took aim and fired—the beam struck Skitty with terrifying speed, knocking the kitten out before it even had a chance to react. Wally fired his ball at it as fast as his arm could and counted each shake in his head. “One, two, three…!”
Click!
“We—We did it!!” Wally pumped his fists into the air, running over and grabbing the freshly sealed ball. “Ralts, you were amaz—urk!” Another wave of coughs battered his throat, but the pain didn’t pierce his soul this time. He’d done it—no, they’d done it. He looked down at the ball and nodded; Skitty could finally get some rest.
Ralts waddled over to Wally, exhausted and sore. He leaned his head against his trainer’s leg, taking deep breaths as he sent his trainer one last query: Strong?
“You were,” Wally picked him up and smiled, the pokémon’s eyelids fluttering shut as he drifted off to sleep. “We gave it our all.”
The calm breeze gently brushed the boy’s hair. Wally took a deep breath, brushing off his worries as he closed his eyes and clutched Skitty’s ball close to his heart. He didn’t know how long this feeling would last, but he truly cherished it.
The sickly boy from Petalburg had come into his own. His strength, his world, it was all right here in his hands, sleeping peacefully on his lap, and shining bright in his heart.