I laughed as I trotted over. "Ok, you four, get off of Inferno," I said patiently. One, Two, Three, and Five obediently slid off of the squashed Flareon, instead snuggling up to each other and asking about what had happened since they last saw each other. Even though they were constantly cutting each other off,
"Splash taught us how to swim!"
"Uncle Bolt and Inferno gave us Rapidash rides!"
"We started to fix the camp, see?"
"We climbed trees with Uncle Bolt!"
"I didn't get hurt at all during the explosion!"
"I did, but Splash saved me."
"Uncle Bolt saved us from humans."
"Yeah, and he brought us to visit Soursap!"
"Splash taught me how to read minds!"
"I can use Phantom Force and disappear."
"I just used Wish to save Uncle Bolt!"
"Yeah, you guys know that I'm really lucky..."
Amused by their banter, I sat down nearby and curled my tail over my paws. Even Two was joining in on the conversation. The kits then started to swap stories, each pair telling the other what had happened in the others' absence. One and Three started.
"I don't remember much about the explosion. Splash said I got knocked out," One began.
Her shiny brother chimed in. "I didn't! In fact, I wasn't hurt at all! I saw a human, and it was big and scary, so I ran, but then I saw Splash! She had One! And then she pushed me into the pond!"
"But then she brought us both to her underwater den," One spoke again. "And she helped me wake up." Little by little, each story was told. Inferno paid close attention to the tale of what happened in the camp, as did I when Two and Five began their story.
"You stayed in Soursap's human's den?" I asked Inferno accusingly.
Inferno shrugged defensively. "What were we supposed to do? We didn't think the camp was safe! Where else were we supposed to go?"
I sighed. "No, I see your reasoning... I just didn't expect it is all," I explained.
Inferno nodded just as Two and Five wrapped up their side of the story. The Flareon stood up. "I'm going to go recharge Bolt."
"Good thought," I agreed. Inferno nodded and walked into his and Bolt's rock den with the kits watching him. After a few seconds, a small burst of electricity came from the rock cleft, along with a grunt of exertion from Inferno.
For a few moments, everyone (except Inferno) was silent. Finally, One turned to me. "Splash?"
"Yes, One?"
"We still don't know where Four or Mommy or Daddy are. Or Snow or Clover or Surf," she added as an afterthought.
I tilted my head at her. "I'm willing to bet that they're all ok. They all know what they're doing, especially your mother."
"I know," she nodded. "But humans caught her, remember? If she's ok, then why hasn't she told any of us?" Concern and fear filled her big, brown eyes.
I did my best to reason. "Well, what if she was saving Snow or Clover? She wouldn't have time to tell you that she was ok. Maybe it's something like that." I felt as if I was trying just as hard to convince myself as I was trying to reassure One and her siblings. "Maybe she'll try to talk to us right now."
One nodded, taking my last words as a challenge. "Ok, Splash! I'll try to find her! Just like you taught me!" Before I could say anything, One clenched her eyes shut, focusing her mind and trying to find her mother.
Two, Three, and Five watched curiously. The seconds changed into minutes. Finally, I stood up, looking at the sinking sun. "Ok, you four, let's start getting ready to-"
"Mama?" One's voice spoke quietly. I blinked. Her eyes were still closed. Her ears suddenly flew up as she called blissfully. "Mama!"
Espeon walked in silence next to her mate for a while, occasionally using her telekinesis to lift Streak off of them, giving them a break. Finally, however, the injured Staraptor made a dull squawk. Espeon didn't need to say anything to Umbreon. Both of them stopped at the same time, Umbreon calling out to Surf in front. "Surf, wait! Streak is coming around!"
Espeon touched Streak's mind with her own. Streak? How are you feeling? Are you all right?
The Staraptor took a few seconds to realize that he had been knocked out and that Espeon was using telepathy. Espeon?
Are you doing better? You were out for a while.
Was I? Streak asked incredulously. Espeon suddenly felt him growing afraid. Where's Night? What happened? All I remember is seeing an Electrode and then an explosion!
Espeon did her best to calm him. We don't know where Night is, but we were captured by humans, and she wasn't with us. We've just escaped.
Where are we headed?
Surf thought it would be best to check and see if anyone in our clan has returned to camp.
Good, that's where I last saw Night.
Clover interrupted Espeon's conversation. "Here, Espy, I'll grow a Revival Herb for him." As she did so, Espeon told Streak what was happening. A few seconds later, Streak shook his head out and beat his wings in surprise, knocking over both Espeon and Umbreon.
"Oh! Sorry!" Streak said as he hopped over to the couple, almost completely healed.
Umbreon rolled to his paws first. "No need to apologize. I would have been startled, too." He shook out his fur as Espeon got to her paws as well. She thought she detected some pain in his shoulder as he shook himself.
Clover pushed a few Sitrus berries from her healing store towards Streak. Just as Espeon was about to question her mate about his injury, something tugged dimly at her mind. Like Splash was calling for her from a ways away, but without calling her name. Espeon focused on the weak presence. Who's there? she asked, not unfriendly, but on guard.
Mama? came the quiet response. Espeon knew that voice anywhere.
One? she asked hopefully.
Mama! her eldest kit thought back joyfully.
Espeon smiled warmly. One! You're using telepathy!
Splash taught me how! She says that some of your powers rubbed off on me!
Espeon had to give her friend credit for that. Even having no experience with mental powers herself, Splash had somehow helped One develop Psychic powers, even if they were rather weak. That's great, sweetie! Where are you?
Two, Three, Five and I are all with Splash and Uncle Bolt and Inferno back home! Espeon's prayers to Arceus had been answered in that one sentence. Her whole family was safe. Her whole clan was safe!
That's really wonderful, One! Espeon thought, meaning every word from the bottom of her heart. I'm with your father and brother. We're on the way there with Surf, Snow, Clover, and Streak.
Daddy and Four are safe! One thought, possibly calling it aloud to those she was with. When will you be here, Mommy? I miss you!
Espeon smiled as Umbreon gave her an expectant look. I miss you, too, One! I miss all of you! We'll be home as soon as we can!
One's focus broke, ending the conversation abruptly. She must have gone to tell Splash and the others. She met Umbreon's eyes.
He tilted his head curiously. "You only do that when you're having telepathic conversations. Who was it?"
Espeon couldn't keep the smile off of her face. "It seems as though our eldest kit is taking after me in terms of Psychic abilities."
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