Drowned Rat (Meeting Lugia)

Nina stared out at the waters, her coat pulled close. The winds were vicious, cutting through to her bones even with the jacket. She was a long way from home, but she didn’t care. She’d needed space. Nina had gotten into a huge fight with her ‘dads’ and had run away. Chief, as unflappable as always, stood next to her, his sharp eyes scanning the waves for any signs of trouble. Ever her dark knight in shining feathers. The storm could be dangerous, she knew it, and yet she risked being on the coast anyways. Nina didn’t care. The waves could swallow her up and make her disappear, and she wouldn’t care. She highly doubted anyone else would. 

Something tugged at her jacket and she looked down. When had Chief ended up behind her? The large bird Pokemon had her jacket firmly in his beak, red eyes filled with worry and concern. Nina reached a hand back and patted his head, the strangely structured feathers soft and silky under her hand. He made a muffled noise, his eyes still on her face. Nina shook her head, forcing a lopsided grin on her face. 

“I’m OK, buddy. Trust me.” The Pokemon shot her a disbelieving look, but at least he let go of her jacket, showing slight cuts in the material from the sharp edges of his beak. She stepped back to stand next to him again, and if she didn’t know better, she could have sworn his shoulders relaxed. Again, she patted his head, scratching slightly. Her expression softened as she knelt down. “I mean it. Thank you.”

The words were genuine, her expression matching and the bird nuzzled into her face, nearly pushing her over with the expression of love. She stumbled and lost her balance, though, regardless, and ended up on the soft, wet sands. She wrinkled her nose. “Love you too, bud.”

The bird Pokemon’s head shot up, and Nina’s brain took too long to process before the water rolled over her. Water filled her lungs as she tried to take a breath, and it burned. Oh, by the Guardians, it burned. Her hand shot out for help, but Chief couldn’t get to her. Panic swelled, and it took all her willpower to not try and breathe. The water sucked her out, head over heels and her world spun. Up and down no longer meant anything and Nina clamped her hands over her mouth, heart thudding in her ears. 

Emrys… Iqbal… Regret filled her, but the currents kept her from knowing where to start. She didn’t want to die! She didn’t! 

A soft hum filled her ears, and the panic was made even worse. Predators lurked in the ocean, and her only Pokemon wasn’t there to protect her. And yet… it was soothing, somehow. Something large collided with her back, almost forcing the young woman to gasp, but she managed not too - barely. Her lungs screamed and ached, but she tried to hold on. Water rushed past her, with whatever was helping her causing large whooshing noises behind her with large, broad strokes. Light came fast and then… Nina could breathe. Deep, staggered, hacking breaths as whatever Pokemon it was - a bird of some kind judging by the small, interlocking feathers she felt under her hands - kept her steady and took her to shore again. Chief squawked and flapped his wings in panic, and even from this distance, she could tell he wasn’t sure if he should protect her or not from the Pokemon helping his trainer. And still, there was that hum - a comforting, soothing noise that enveloped her. It reached the shore and it was only then she realized just how large the Pokemon was. It lowered its head, and only when her feet were firmly on the ground did she turn and look at her rescuer.

A long, sinuous neck, white feathers and large, very large compared to her. Blue eyes gazed down at her in concern, its head lowering to get a better look at her. Cautiously, she held her hand out, before she just… slumped against its head, nuzzling it the same way Chief had before to her. 

“Thank you.” Salt damaged vocal cords croaked out, relief washing over her. Tears mixed with the water that clung to her, and her shoulders shook as she sobbed. The Pokemon - she wished she knew which Pokemon it was - crooned, its wings tucking against its side as it let her cry out her panic. “Thank you so much.” 

It sang a quiet note before nudging her. She backpedaled and it straightened, turning and diving into the water. It didn’t take long for it to disappear under the waves, and it didn’t take long for Nina’s legs to buckle under her. Her butt hit the sands again, and Chief crawled into her lap, pinning her in place. She hugged him tightly, burrowing her face into his odd mix of steel and organic feathers as the adrenaline gave way. Her dads… She needed to apologize to them. After she recovered, of course.