Chapter 2 - New Beginning

Quote of the day: Realising your mistakes isn't a sign of weakness; it is a sign of understanding and true strength.

Meaning: Do not be hesitant to admit or realise that you are wrong because you think it shows that you are weak. Understanding what you did wrong is never a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength - the strength to admit to something you did wrong instead of cowardly hiding from the truth.

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Edited (10/8/18)

Am I really willing to throw away two years of hatred so readily? Absol thought. She had followed Red to the village to help the villagers escape from their flooded homes.

"Stop daydreaming and start helping!" Red snapped, obviously annoyed.

Absol kept quiet, still feeling mixed emotions about helping the very same creatures that took away everything she loved.

"Look," Red sighed. "I know you're still sceptical about helping the creatures that harmed your family, but innocent lives are at sake right now. We don't have time for your reluctance!"

Absol nodded silently and began carrying some small children on her back. She rushed to higher ground to set them down and going back to help the other villagers.

"You're doing great," Red said encouragingly.

"Thank you," Absol nodded, trying to get a woman to get on her back.

"Get away from me!" the woman screamed, thrashing in the water.

"Stay still or you'll drown," Absol growled.

However, the human failed to understand the tongue of Absol, leading her to think that Absol was trying to bite her.

"It's the end! I'm going to die by the claws of the Disaster of Nature!" the woman sobbed dramatically.

Absol froze, eyes glowing in anger. "Look!" Absol snapped. "If you want your pathetic life, I suggest you keep still and let me help!"

Absol's sudden outburst shocked the woman, making her freeze. Absol scowled and took the chance to grab the woman by her collar.

"Useless humans," Absol muttered under her breath, dragging the woman.

Fortunately, the human did not understand Absol's words.

"Try looking gentle," Red suggested, dragging a child to higher ground.

Absol shrugged dismissively. "I am gentle!"

She roughly tossed the terrified woman next to the other humans and jumped back into the cold water.

"You look very gentle right now," Red commented sarcastically.

Absol ignored Red and glanced at her wet fur. She had been so focused on helping the humans, that she did not realise her shiny white coat of fur was getting stained with dirt and drench with muddy water.

Helping these humans are frustrating, Absol thought bitterly, dragging another stubborn human along with her.

"I think that's all of them," Red called out.

"Right," Absol replied. "Let's get out of here."

Red shook his head. "Not so fast, we need to see if anyone needs help."

"That's pretty obvious," Absol muttered, rolling her eyes. "After all, their kind wins the most dramatic creatures award."

"Absol, I know you are still holding a huge grudge against them," Red began slowly. "But you have to understand that they are frightened creatures that need our help."

Absol sighed deeply. "Fine. I'll go get the healer human," she said, sprinting away from the mountains. She spotted the healer's distinctive pink hair and walked towards her casually.

Absol growled to get her attention. The healer turned, surprise. "An Absol? Down from the mountains? There must be something wrong!" the human exclaimed.

At least this human isn't as stupid as the others, Absol thought. Absol beckoned the healer to follow her with a jerk of her head.

"Well look at you! You're muddy all over!" she commented. "Let me help you clean it."

Absol froze and shook her head, jerking her head more urgently. The healer stated at Absol for a moment before nodding.

"All right. Give me a moment to take my equipment," she said, grabbing a red box.

The healer followed Absol up to the mountains slowly, annoying Absol greatly.

"Humans are so slow," Absol complained to herself, waiting for the healer to catch up with her.

"Nurse Joy! Please help us! The Absol are going to eat us!" a little boy wailed when he spotted the healer.

Absol growled in annoyance and turned the other way to leave.

"No, little one. The Absol won't eat you. It wants to help you, that's why it brought me here," Nurse Joy explained gently.

Absol softened at the hint of understanding. Maybe not all humans are foolish, she thought.

"Humans are rather unique creatures," Red said, standing beside her.

"Indeed they are," Absol nodded.

"So what will you do now?" Red asked.

"I will continue helping the humans to show that we are innocent and our intentions are clear. No Absol will suffer ever again," Absol declared.

"Then I will join you on your mission," Red stated, smiling.

Absol stared at Red, startled by his words. "You will?" Absol asked, astonished.

"Yes," Red nodded. "We will show the world the truth together."

Absol smiled - a real smile - for the first time in two years.