Slowly, as the words began to sink in, Vinnie raised his face to stare at Red with total disbelief in his eyes. He could feel the pit of his stomach drop, sinking, boring deep down until it became a bottomless abyss. A cold, empty hole right in the core of him.

This... this wasn't right. No. It was their team that re-taught Vinnie how to be a family. Before they ever even set foot at the school, or tried human form, that was the truth he knew in his heart. To hear it from Red's mouth that they weren't... no, it contradicted everything Vinnie was built upon.

Becoming a family wasn't weak. Becoming human wasn't weak. He knew this for himself because he'd already experienced what it was to be truly helpless, to be brought down to the lowest possible point.

He took a step backwards to find his back up against the wall. Suspicion began colouring his gaze as the Venusaur narrowed his eyes. The trainer was normal just a few hours ago...

"Red? What happened...?"