Chapter Text
“Alright, Zippo.” Ellis scruffed the feathers of his Torchic’s head then took a few steps back, Zippo following his movements. “Use scratch!”
Zippo quickly snapped back into action and ran over to the log Ellis had set up for him. Upon the first few steps, he tripped on his own feet and tumbled forward into the log, injuring itself more than its target. Ellis stared at Zippo sitting on its head as it stared back at him with its empty eyes. Before it chirped and flipped back onto its feet, running over to Ellis for more affection.
“We’ll uh…” Zippo nuzzled against Ellis’ legs, unaware of anything else around him. Ellis gently picked Zippo up. “We’ll work on our fightin’ later.”
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Ellis chopped a few liechi berries in half, mixing them into a bowl of micle berries and corn. He carried it over to the living room where Zippo stomped on the couch, imitating the gym battle on the television. Ellis placed the bowl onto the coffee table, the sound making Zippo chirp and jump over to the table with a flutter. Zippo was making great progress to Ellis, it couldn’t fight well and would trip on its own feet. But it was becoming healthier and stronger every day.
Torchics weren’t native to this area, they were usually only brought over from Hoenn to be sold at festivals or by shady breeders. A lot of kids wanted a Torchic or a Blaziken but most of them weren’t willing to put in the effort to care for them, abandoning them a few weeks after their purchase. Ellis actually remembers begging his parents at a festival to get him a painted Torchic, though luckily his parents refused. Many years later, Ellis did get his own Pokemon, a Timburr who was trying to help build his father's shed with a few twigs. Eventually the pair bonded well enough that the Timburr (now named Plank) wanted Ellis to be its trainer, often helping Ellis and his family out with any projects or starting new ones on his own.
Just a few weeks ago, while Ellis was getting back from his job, he heard little chirps coming from the trash can outside his work. Taking a closer look, he discovered a sickly, injured Torchic tossed away like a piece of litter. It didn’t even seem aware of what had happened to it, Ellis assumed that was for the best. Either way, Ellis gently scooped the bird into his hands and carried it back home with him.
He didn't know how to care for Zippo at first, he didn’t even know if he could wash it because of its fire typing. He had called Keith once he got home for help since he had a little Fuecoco as his partner, he came over as quick as he could with his Pokemon trailing behind him. Keith and Ellis were in the bathroom gently washing Zippo’s injuries in a shallow sink bath, making sure it was still warm. It was wrapped up tightly in a heated blanket for the rest of the night, being gently fed bits of corn and oran berries. The other Pokemon would sit by Zippo, their body language showing their concern for the Torchic.
It took a few days for Zippo to start moving again, Ellis still had to carry him since he was too weak to stand. Ellis didn’t know how well his new friend would recover, after a week he thought that the chick would never be able to walk again. Until one night, Ellis and Keith were out on the porch, Zippo was swaddled like a newborn baby just so he could see the outside world without getting sick again. Then Keith struck up a conversation.
“So, what’re gonna name the lil guy?” Keith went to light up a cigarette as he spoke.
Ellis thought for a moment, only to come up with nothing. There was a fear within him that the little Torchic wouldn’t even live long enough for a name. If he didn’t get too attached to him, maybe losing him wouldn’t hurt as much…
Then, the swaddled chick let out a chirp, like it wanted something. Ellis and Keith got closer, trying to see what it could need, only for the Torchic to bounce towards Keith’s unlit cigarette, letting out a small flame from its beak and light it for him. Both men jumped back for a second, shocked. The Torchic chirped again, wriggling a bit before getting tired and nuzzling Ellis’ chest again.
Ellis realized that maybe, if he prayed hard enough, this little Torchic he had found could live the long and happy life it deserved.
Keith chuckled “Won’t be needin any lighters by time he’s all grown up.”
“...Well I reckon I got a name for him now.”