Chapter 18: Wish You Well

"You're right, I don't like this plan." Dawn said an hour later.

"Well, this is how it needs to be done."

We were standing on the hill yet again, close to the forest. Demi had Peachy perched on her shoulder. She shifted back and forth anxiously, "I think you're right, but there's just a bigger chance he'll hurt you."

"I know." I held Electivire's Poke Ball out. Really, Pokemon could release themselves from their capsules. And he hadn't. I felt like that was a good sign. Still, as I held his Poke Ball up, I could feel my bruised wrist sting in retort.

"We're going to be in the garden if you need us." Demi reminded me.

"I know."

Dawn stepped closer to me, grabbing my left hand and squeezing it. I squeezed back, "I'll be fine."

She kissed my cheek and took Demi by the hand, glancing back at me as if expecting the worse to happen.

Way to build up a guy's confidence, Dawn. I thought dryly.

When they were far away, I released Electivire. He appeared and gave me a numb look before looking towards the trees.

"I'm not mad at you." I said.

He growled but his expression didn't change. He didn't seem to care.

"A smart man once told me that you can't force someone to forgive someone else. And I don't expect you to forgive me anytime soon." I started, "So I thought maybe some space would be a good idea. If you want some."

Electivire looked back at me suspiciously.

"I don't blame you for not getting along with me. And if you don't want me to be your Trainer..." I took a deep breath, "I'd understand that.

"So you can leave forever if you want, but for now if you just stayed around here, I wouldn't go looking for you. I wouldn't stop you. You could go be a wild Pokemon again, or get a new Trainer. Whatever makes you happy. Truly happy and not what I've made you. I'm sorry for what you've become."

I felt my eyes prickle, but refused to cry.

"But at the same time, I want another chance. One I don't deserve. And we can talk about that later if that's something you'd consider. I'll be around this church every day. But for now, I think you'd like some space to yourself. I know I would." I finished, feeling a bit vulnerable for once in my life.

Electivire studied me thoughtfully.

I recoiled as I felt one of his tails wrap around his Poke Ball and inhaled sharply. He noticed my reaction and pulled his tail away, holding it out in front of me, indicating he wanted his Poke Ball.

I held his Poke Ball out and he grabbed it, holding it up to his face to inspect. He lowered it into his palm as if cradling a baby, his eyes pained as he lowered his hand towards me. I took the Poke Ball back and noticed that he still looked torn about a decision.

"You don't have to make one now." I whispered, "I really have hurt you. I know that. And I don't blame you at all for hurting me. I do deserve to be hurt for that."

Electivire grunted and turned towards the trees, running. I watched until I couldn't see him anymore.

I held his Poke Ball up, knowing I couldn't force him to forgive me.

I woke up in the nurse's office. I froze as I noticed Tanner in the bunk next to me, but he wasn't moving still. I heard the nurse whispering to someone.

"...Yes, he seems to be paralyzed. Nothing a Cheri Berry can't fix."

So that's what attack Electivire had used- Thunder Wave. Not something too powerful, just enough to make Tanner stop moving for the time being.

"What even happened?"

"We're not sure. Paul was unconscious and Tanner was found like that and couldn't talk."

I heard footsteps. I closed my eyes, pretending to still be asleep, too scared to face a teacher.

"Hey, kiddo." I heard. A large, warm hand brushed the hair on my forehead back.

I opened my eyes to find my uncle staring at me with concern. Relief flooded through me and I sat up, throwing my arms around him even though it hurt to move and my head felt like something was hitting it every time I changed positions. Uncle Ben hugged me back tightly.

I remembered how much trouble I was probably in and pulled away, feeling embarrassed. I looked down.

"Are you alright?" My uncle asked.

Yes, I wanted to say. But I couldn't. I was hurting all over. I didn't know where my favorite drawings were. I was in a lot of trouble. Tanner probably was going to keep hurting me.

"Hey, it's ok." Uncle Ben said reassuringly, his hand running through my hair gently yet again. It felt nice.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked quietly, my breath hitching as if I was about to cry. I tried to swallow it. Mom said crying was for babies.

"No. I won't let them get you in trouble." He said.

"You sure?" I asked uncertainly.

"I promise."

Uncle Ben gave me a quick hug before going over to Tanner's bunk, his eyes hardening as he leaned down. I couldn't see Tanner's face, but I was sure he was awake since uncle started talking to him. His voice was harsh, "If you ever mess with my nephew again, you're going to get much more than paralyzed."

The sternness shocked me more than a Thunder Wave could have. I'd never heard my uncle sound mean before. I'd never had anyone stand up for me before either. My throat felt clogged suddenly.

"Paul, come here." He ordered.

I hesitantly stood up and walked over to Tanner, who was awake. He had a tear streaking down his dirty face.

"I want you to apologize to Tanner for hitting him." Uncle Ben said firmly.

I looked up to him fear, wondering how he knew.

He looked down, reading my expression, "Electivire told me."

I gulped, but didn't say anything for a few seconds. I didn't want to apologize. He'd deserved more than he got.

"Apologize." I heard again.

"I'm sorry." I said, my eyes meeting Tanner's, before I looked away in fear and annoyance.

"Good." Uncle Ben stooped low to meet Tanner's eye level, "I feel bad for you, Tanner. I think you probably have some bad stuff going on at home. Your mom seemed upset. I'm really sorry about all of that. If you ever want to come over to my house to play with Paul on the weekends, we'd be happy to help you. And if you ever want to talk about anything to me, just let me know."

Uncle Ben messed up Tanner's hair and smiled softly, "Be good, alright?"

Tanner's eyes seemed to water a bit as we walked out of the nurse's office. Uncle Ben waved to the nurse, indicating that he was taking me home. He signed me out and we began walking down the path towards his house, which was pretty far away from my school.

"Why'd you come get me and not mom?" I asked quietly. I knew she was the one who usually picked me up, except on Fridays since I would spend most weekends with Uncle Ben. .

"She was... busy." Uncle Ben explained, "My sister is like that at work. And with everything else."

I nodded. A few steps of silence went by.

"I know it's going to take some time to really forgive him, Paul, but you have to try."

"I can't."

"I know a person can't actually be forced to forgive, but you still needed to be the one who said it first while you learn how to let the past go. So keep trying to forgive him."

"Why?" I said defensively.

"Because we're supposed to forgive everyone, so we're forgiven when we do bad things. Don't you want to be forgiven too?"

I shrugged. I didn't really know many people that I would care if they were mad at me or not. Really, it seemed like the only person I didn't want to be upset with me was Uncle Ben. I cringed, "Do you forgive me?"

"There's nothing that needs to be forgiven." He said sincerely, grabbing my hand. I squeezed it, looking away, glad no one was around to see me holding his hand.

"I don't really want to play with Tanner. He might be mean." I admitted.

"That's the right thing to do, if he ever wants to come over and play. And everyone is mean sometimes. He's going through a lot."

"How do you know?"

"I just know."

I looked up at him, confused, but he just smiled.

"Do you think Tanner would choose to be really mean?"

"But he did choose that. He was mean to me."

"Yes, but maybe he didn't know any better. Maybe his dad is really mean to him and that's the only way he learned how to act." Uncle Ben explained softly.

"Is his dad really mean?" I asked, gripping his hand tightly.

"Be nice to Tanner. Pray for him too. He's going through a lot."

"Pray?"

"Yeah. Wish him well. Ask God to be with him."

I knitted my eyebrows together, "God?"

Uncle Ben's footsteps slowed for a second before he said, "I guess I should start off with some stories. Have you ever heard of Jesus before?"

"No."

"Well, then you've got an exciting walk ahead of you." Uncle Ben picked me up and put me on his back, carrying me as he talked excitedly about this man who lived hundreds of years ago, who didn't seem to be a man at all. I fell asleep sometime in the middle of it, rocked to sleep by the steady rhythm of my uncle's footsteps.

I do wish you well, Electivire. I thought to myself, wishing he could hear it.

Hey Trainers!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I love exploring Paul's past so much. Yet again, why can't he be the main character?

Pokemon Question of the Day: If your school had a Pokemon mascot, which Pokemon would you want it to be and why?

You're all awesome! Thanks for reading!

-Flips