How much longer could I take this?

I was never the type of person who liked to be alone, in the dark. I was never used to it, being the center of attention all of the time. Sometimes it was annoying, being the strongest trainer in Kanto and Johto, but now, I wanted it. I wanted to be loved, adored, idolized.

But if that were to happen again to me, it wouldn't come so soon.

In the last month, the truth came crashing down on me-- he never loved me. Lance, the champion Dragon trainer, was a liar, a user, and a cheater. Wanting me for nothing but sex. On the inside he's just as cruel as Giovanni.

And my parents, they were dead soon after I was born. The ones I had now, lied to me. Told me I was important to them, said they loved me. After all that has happened, would I ever find someone who truly loved me?

I highly doubted that.

Was I fated to a life alone and unloved, used and lied to? Was there any hope?

I slammed my fist into the wall a few times, then followed with my head. The thuds echoed throughout the house, but I doubted that anyone would care.

"Fuck life," I muttered. "Fuck love. What am I here for if this is all this is all that's going to happen? Lance is a bastard--" I punched the wall-- "and I'm a fucking orphan, for God's sake. Me, the greatest trainer in the world, a God damn orphan."

My fist flew into the wall again and I cried out with pain as it cracked, sinking down to the floor. I sobbed, letting my head fall into my hands.

I heard a soft mewl, and muzzle pushed against my arm. I ignored it, only to get a stronger shove. I lifted my head and stared expressionlessly into Espeon's eyes, which were shimmering with moisture at my blank expression. She mewed again.

Holy mother of Entei, was she crying?

Espeon jumped into my lap, placing her front paws on my chest, staring into my eyes, asking one question: Are you alright?

I affectionately fondled her ears and whispered, "No, Espeon, I'm not alright. I'm in pain. This is too much for me." I sniffed. Espeon leaned forward and gently licked the tears from my cheeks. I scratched her soft purple ears, burying my face in her neck fur.

I stayed there for a few moments while the worst of the hurt faded away, trying to concentrate on the soft floral scent of my Espeon and nothing else. As I picked my head up, her tongue gently caressed the side of my face and she jumped off my lap, grabbing my bag in her teeth. Four Poke balls rolled out and popped open, lighting up the room as my other Pokemon let themselves out. One by one they came over: Ampharos, Meganium, Pidgeot and Azumarill.

Pidgeot extended his wing and rested it on my shoulder. Azumarill jumped in my lap. Ampharos stayed by my side, her eyes on my face the whole time. Meganium pressed his face to my cheek, nuzzling it softly.

How wrong could I have been? I had five loyal Pokemon that loved me. For now, that's all I needed. I didn't need Lance.

"Thank you guys," I murmured, stroking each of them in turn, smiling for the first time in a whole month. The pain was reduced to a dull ache in my chest. I still had one more thing to do.

I returned all of my Pokemon, pulled on a green hoodie, grabbed my bag, and opened the window.

Well, it's not that far down, I thought. I swung my legs over the sill, closed my eyes, and dropped down.

I hit the ground running. I ran harder and faster then I had ever had before. I ran forever, it seemed, but I could care less about being tired. Everything was behind me-- the lies, the worries, and the pain.

One question was on my mind: Was there hope ahead on this road?