What If...

<sup>"What if he doesn't love me anymore... because I changed?"

The thought made him cringe painfully.

They had been traveling together, as always. The sun had been beaming down in a way that had always made the day happier, brighter... The grass beneath his paws, the trickle of the river (although the water made him nervous) and the chirping of the Taillows created a soothing effect that was common on their journeys. No rain that day... All was right with the world. Aurelius had wandered off somewhere - perhaps chasing Butterfree or conversing with the other grass pokemon, Columbus didn't know - leaving the little Vulpix to his own devices for some time. Still young, it did not take Columbus long to get into something.

Something shiny, down the river a ways.

Usually, Aurelius told him to stay put; this time was different. Perhaps thinking that Columbus was old enough to take care of himself, he hadn't said a word before leaving for a while. Therefore, Columbus didn't think twice before bounding off to investigate the source of the glimmer.

He realized too late that it had been a fire stone, buried in the sandy shore of the riverbed... And all too quickly his body was not as it should have been... He had been a Vulpix, but now... his fur had brightened, his "hair" had lengthened, and his tails had split a few more times... Now... he was a Ninetales. At first, he was shocked, amazed at his new, lithe figure. He felt faster, stronger... And then, the realization that Aurelius might not even recognize him struck him like an arrow through the heart. How could he possibly explain? How would he even approach him!? The two WERE opposites, after all... Approached by a fire pokemon, Aurelius would surely...

He pushed the thought away...

And ran.

Not far, of course. He ran out of ground at the base of the waterfall the river led to, and sat, watching the sun go down.

"What if he doesn't love me?"

The words fell from his muzzle again, seemingly without his consent. He felt the hot tears through his fur. Only later he would realize how silly he had been; for now, he was terrified.

"Excuse me?"
Aurelius's voice.

Columbus whirled around, eyes wide. What could he possibly say? The Meganium was standing there, obviously a little worried - seeking the help of a stranger... a possibly dangerous stranger...

"Have you seen a Vulpix around here? He's not very big... but... I guess you should know, heh..."

The small, welcoming smile on the grass-type's face was forced, but not because he was talking to an enemy. Columbus saw the worry in his eyes that had nothing to do with the danger - it had to do with him.

"I, uh... I... er..."

The Ninetales faltered again, but apparently his voice and demeanor had given him away.

"... ... C-Columbus!?"

His ears went back in embarrassment, and he looked away for a few moments... But when his gaze fell on his friend again, he saw not fear or anger or even shock... but pride. Proud of the little Vulpix that had evolved... all on his own.

"Well, aren't you --"

"Stop it!"

"..Huh?"

Heat rising to his face again, the Columbus seemed shocked that he even had the option of yelling at Aurelius, much less that he had done it. Still, he was angry... But he didn't know who he was mad at, or why.

"Don't do that!"

"Don't... do... what?"

"Don't pretend you don't notice! I'm different now, and now you won't--"

The words caught in his throat, and he dropped to his belly, covering his eyes. He didn't hear Aurelius approach, but he felt him nuzzle his paw.

"You're worried that I won't like you now, is that it?"

"... Uh... Uh-huh..." He felt like a child.

"... Silly."

Now Columbus looked up. Aurelius was there, his blue eyes looking at him with such adoration that the Ninetales almost melted.

"I love you, you know... And that means it doesn't matter how you look or what you do. You're perfect, no matter what."</sup></sup>

---

Yep.
Just a doodle I was doing in Sai and it turned into this. I needed to upload SOMETHING so yeah.
Still not that great but the concept? I like it.
HEY RHEA YOU NEED TO DRAW THEM NOW. I draw them too much.

And for those of you who don't get it: Aurelius is a Meganium and Columbus is a Vulpix - here, evolved into a Ninetales. They are both guys, and yes, they love each other. In this concept, Columbus accidentally finds a fire stone and evolves into Ninetales. He thinks Aurelius won't love him anymore since he evolved (silly, right?) so he gets scared... And Aurie pointedly makes him realize that love doesn't always depend on looks. ;3

Columbus (C)
Aurelius (C)
Pokemon (C) Nintendo

P.S. No this hasn't happened or anything. Just a thought that ran wild.
P.S.S. This is my drama pair LOL. Something always happens to them.