Aaron rolled uncomfortably in his sleep; fidgeting, he groaned, and woke up. Yawning wearily, he looked around his cave, it was empty, he was the only Pokémon there. Aaron shook his head as he stood and stretched. He walked towards the entrance of his den and poked his head out. He sighed sadly as he gathered berries for his breakfast, looks like he'd be eating alone... again.

Lost in his thoughts, Aaron didn't notice the world around him pass by. His old feet carried him along the paths he knew. Soon he stood by a lake, nibbling a berry.

"Morning Aaron." Martha said as she landed beside him. "No Dwindle today?"

Aaron sighed. "No, I barely see her anymore. By the time I wake up she's long gone. Off with her friends somewhere I suppose. I don't see her most of the day; yesterday she didn't even come home for lunch. She loves lunch."

Martha chuckled. "Ah, I see. Dwindle's at that stage in life."

"She's never around, she hardly speaks to me, she doesn't tell me anything."

"Next, she'll be fighting you, arguing, you won't be able to tell her anything. She'll be gone early and back late. Your little girl is growing up. It won't be easy, it's gonna hurt."

Aaron groaned. "How'd you do it?"

"What's that?"

"You've had plenty of kids, how'd you make them listen to you?"

The old Noctowl laughed heartily. Aaron deadpanned. "Please Aaron, forgive me, but if you think that my kids listened to me you are very wrong."

"Then how did you-"

At the gentle flapping of her wings he sighed, took a deep breath and waited for her to speak.

"Aaron. At this age kids are exploring the world, learning things for themselves. We can't hold their hands forever or else they'd never learn to walk. Aaron you must let her struggle, fail and learn. She must learn to make her own decisions. All you can do is support her. Teach her to be strong."

"I... I'm not a teacher, how can she learn anything from me?"

"You're her father, aren't you? Keep doing what you're doing. When she needs help, you'll know what to do."

Aaron sighed and nodded. "I hope so." A cold wind rushed through the forest; Aaron shivered. "A storm's brewing. I should get home. Well Martha, thank-you for the advice, I think."

Martha chuckled. "Goodbye Aaron."

Turning Aaron walked towards home, he'd only gone a few meters when Martha called out.

"Aaron, one last thing." He looked at her expectantly and waited. She smiled. "You're doing far better than you think."