Pip's footsteps echoed through a forest.

He sighed.

I don't need a therapist. He thought with aggression.

His flippers smashed in the ground as he ran.

He didn't know why he would need a therapist.

No therapist could ever help him, or make him stronger.

He trudged on, staring at the ground.

He would think he would be over something so stupid, but the Starter Squad would never see him as one of them. He was sure of it.

He could hear paw steps behind him.

Of course they won't leave me alone. He thought as he turned around, and was met with not of his partners, but a lone Sandslash.

Usually the two would fight for Tudi had killed his trainer, and he had killed his master.

But now, the two stared at each other like they both made a mistake that bonded them together.

"What are you doing here, kid?" The Sandslash asked.

Pip would have scoffed at the comment, but he supposed it was true. It wasn't like Tudi wasn't a kid himself. He was older than him. Just barely though.

"It's none of your business, villain." He snarled, rubbing his nose with a flipper.

Tudi shrugged. "Maybe not, but I'm sure it would be a shame if you were to 'disappear' out here." The Sandslash hinted with a growl.

"Maybe it would be for the best," Pip sighed.

Tudi growled lowly.

"Maybe? So you're not even going to stop me from doing anything? I thought you were supposed to be a member of the starter squad. Guess you're more a member of the Crying Squad instead." Tudi growled.

With that the Sandslash whipped around, stomping away with anger.

What's up with him?

Pip shrugged as he found his flippers trailing a tree.

There was an apple in between the leaves.

He continued to stare at the Apple as it rustled with the flow of the wind. If only I could be more like the Apple, but I'm not. He pondered with a wisp of breath coming out of his mouth.

He sat down at the stump of the tree, breathing deeply in an attempt to calm down.

Soft wind brushed against his face as he moved to get comfortable.

"Hello!" A cheery voice exclaimed.

For a second, Pip thought the voice might have been the long awaited friend of his, Eon, but it wasn't.

Pip took one glance at the older Oshawott. He folded his arms. He didn't want to speak to anyone. Why would they just send him out of all the Pokémon they could have sent?

"Humph!" He exclaimed in fake hatred, shutting his eyes as he looked away.

Plop.

Pip's eyes opened back up as he heard the sound of Parker sitting down right next to him.

Arrogant little bastard, he thought with a furious growl.

The two didn't say anything for a while, just sat there.

Though, Pip didn't know if he enjoyed his partner's company.

Finally, Parker began to speak.

"Why?" He began.

"Why?" Pip wondered with confusion alight on his face. "Why what?"

Parker glanced up at the sky, seemingly deep in thought.

He really must be trying to word something right. He usually says what he wants to say without much of a thought.

"Why everything," Parker remarks, seemingly flinching from his own response.

"I-I don't know what you're asking." Pip said before he sighed.

But I guess I need to say something to appease Paarthurnax.

"I just-you wouldn't understand." Pip tried to say, grief in his voice. "Wouldn't understand? Understand what?" Parker asked, tipping his head with the confusion.

Pip sighed.

How could he express himself if he had no idea how?

His face set into a determined look.

I just have to find a way how!

"You know," Pip began awkwardly.

It was surely weird enough to have a proper talk with Parker, but this was probably twenty times more worse than a Dragon-type vs a Fairy-Type.

Pip sighed, feeling his heart heave with heaviness.

"It's just hard being one of the only Popplio in the squad. I feel like I shouldn't get help from others to prove I'm an actual good fighter." Pip remarked.

"..."

"And I don't know! It's just hard! It's hard to keep cool!" Pip growled, pulling his hoodie up over his face. Only his nose poked out.

Parker was silent as Pip poured out his thoughts and feelings.

Why? He didn't know. He just felt as if Parker could be...trusted.

Pip lowered his head as he waited for a response. Any at all.

"Heh. I think any member of the squad would feel that way." Parker commentated, pressing a paw against Pip's shoulder.

Pip eyes met the Oshawott's and glanced away.

"But, not like this. I'm always...looked down upon no matter by who."

Pip's gaze turned towards the ground in shame.

I guess it does make sense. I'm not the most appeasing pre-evolution starter there was. I guess...getting this prejudice off of me is not something I could ever do. Is all I do a waste of time?!

"Maybe," Parker began, dabbling on the word long.

He almost seemed shy.

"Maybe they just don't understand how strong you truly are."

Wha...? How strong I truly am? Is he suggesting I'm...strong?

The words almost made Pip feel better about himself.

Maybe I've been making a big deal over something that wasn't meant to be big. He suggestively thought.

"Strong? Am I?" Pip wondered.

"Well, Paarthurnax said you defeated Pulse with an Umbreon."

I did do that, but that doesn't mean anything. Any water type can defeat a ground type.

"How about instead of thinking of how ugly you are and all the crazy stuff, you just focus on our work. I guess I can do this with you, so long as we figure out this teamwork thing. How about it, emo Popplio?" Parker suggested.

Pip folded his arms.

"Emo Popplio?"

"Er, I mean Pip!"

Pip shrugged. "I guess I could try thinking differently, but it's not like I have any other choice." He grunted.

He held out a paw.

Parker just stared at it before shaking it with a smile.

Are we friends now?