Reality Of Alterations

by eeveemon123

A Collaboration story by Myself and Calius. Mira Ilex and Timothy Rickson are both at the Jirasum ruins when they meet a mischevious Sableye. It ends up with the two of them befriending the Sableye. The end result is the three of them accidentally burning the ruins. This also happens to catch a talented trainer in the mix as he gets involved, leading him on his hardest journey yet.

1. Chapter 1

Reality Of Alternations

A/N: Eeveemon123: Hey there everyone. It's my pleasure to be working on this project with a talented author such as Calius, and I'm sure we both hope it'll go well with you guys.

Calius: This collaboration is something that Eevee and I have been working on for a while now and we're happy to finally show it to you guys! As ever, reviews are very much appreciated. They're only gonna make us better. This story was probably the most planning Eevee has ever done, so hopefully he gets better.

Disclaimer: Eevee/Calius: We both do swear on the oath of our beliefs and values that we in no way possess the lands of Nintendo's pokemon franchise. Although we may like to, we are but mere mortals and could not even hope to achieve such an accomplishment.

Chapter 1: We broke it

Okay so, Timmy and I didn't mean to destroy the shrine to Jirachi. It just kind-of happened.

I should probably explain a bit about myself and my home village. My name is Mira Ilex, I'm fifteen years old, about five foot nine with dark tanned skin, strait black hair that I've cut into a pixie look and dark brown eyes, I'm pretty fit from a mixture of running around the ruins so much and training in Tae Kwan Do, I got into it when one particular trainer showed me a few moves, after I begged and bartered for about three hours straight for him to teach me he agreed to give me a lesson and a few books for me to learn from. I'm not the easiest person to like okay? I'm not very popular in my village for a few reasons. I am a little impulsive, I'm a bit of a troublemaker and I tend to like modern things, you know video games, TV, sports cars, air conditioning, indoor plumbing, electricity that isn't stored in car batteries, the good stuff. We don't get much of that in my village.

My dad's name is Maverick Ilex, he's forty six years old, about six foot eight with tan skin and slightly graying brown hair that highlights his dark blue eyes, he has very noticeable smile lines and a rather bulky figure. Me and him haven't been getting along that well lately, but we tolerate each other. My mom's name was Kara, that's about all I know about her. Heck I don't even know what she looked like, my dad always said that she looked beautiful. She split about ten seconds after I was born without a second thought. My dad said it's because she never wanted a kid and that I shouldn't blame myself. As if I actually would, she's the one that got pregnant right? It's not my fault that she wasn't up to raising a child.

My best and only friend is Timothy Rickson, he's sixteen, about five foot eight with light but tanned skin, he has short blond hair and green eyes, he's a little thin but he's stronger than he looks; Even if he doesn't know it. I don't know how we became friends exactly but he's a good friend. He's always there for me and he gives pretty good advice. He is very timid and follows the rules, an adults favorite right? Well he chose me over that. He always got treated extra good but when he started hanging with me that kinda tapered down. The village where I live- or I should say lived, is named Jirasum and is located in the far Southeast corner of the only desert in Hoenn and is surrounded by sandstone cliffs, it's made of mostly natural caves and manmade huts made of rocks and clay. It houses a population of about sixty people, and twenty or so pokemon, mostly from the cacnea and trapinch evolution lines. It's hot and dry as you would expect, and the only visitors are the few trainers that have been able brave the sandstorms that punish most of the land here and a National Geographic crew that got lost in the middle of desert. The main attraction of our village lies about a fifth of a mile (That's a little over point three kilometers) away from the center of the square, it's an ancient shrine dedicated to Jirachi, and the ruins surrounding it. They look like a bunch of toppled pillars surrounding a relatively spotless temple made of marble that only something as big as a wurmple could fit in.

The villagers are very closed minded- er, I mean… traditional. Yeah. traditional. We get our water from a well in Mawile Square, our town's center, and store it in buckets. We survive mostly off of desert fruits, most of the others in the village are keen to eating the sandshrew that roam around the desert but both Tim and I are proudly vegetarian. The villagers hold rituals at the shrine every other week where we burn laurels and offer bits of food at the shrine, usually to be stolen by passing sandshrew the next day. How do I know this? Because that's where I hang out pretty much every day, I've even found a few artifacts including a cracked pot, a dagger, and a few gems that I don't really have a use for. The pot is on a shelf in my room and the dagger? Well I restored it and now carry it in my drawstring backpack that I keep with me at all times. Anyway, back to the ruins, it's the only place where I don't get suspicious looks. I mean I know I'm not some angel child but I don't see why I got tagged as public enemy number one. That's why I was there when the shrine got destroyed and that's why they all blamed it on me . . . and my party.

I was lying on a toppled pillar in my favorite spot; it was a little spot near the edge of the ruins where a few of the columns were still partially intact enough so that it formed a small, shaded area. I was relaxing after punching and kicking for nearly two hours straight, all of the sudden I saw a flash of red out of the corner of my eye. I instinctually grabbed my knife from my pack and, slowly picked my way over to the source of the light. I knelt down to look under pile of rubble. Under the rubble I could only see a few glints of light, something shining like jewel or- "AH!" I backed up just as a dark purple claw slashed out from the shadows, coming about an inch from my face.

I heard a distinct sound, "Say sable sableye." 'Oh my Arceus! A freaking sableye? I didn't even think they lived here!' I thought. Then I took a moment to calm myself. 'Okay so it's either really scared or it's just aggressive, hopefully the former.' I made my way over to my backpack and started rifling through it.

"Paracord, no sandwich, no flashlight, no- OH cool! I finally found my sunglasses! But no, lighter, no. . . I really should clean this thing out. Potion, no AHA! There you are you little bugger." I said, pulling out a bug gem I'd found earlier that day. I remember Timmy telling me once that sableye eat rocks and a gem is a type of rock, I think. I slowly crawled back to the small hiding place and pushed the jewel toward the opening with my foot. I then sat at what I guessed to be a safe distance from the ghost type's lair and waited.

I didn't have to wait maybe seven or eight seconds before the sableye darted out, took the jewel in its claws, popped it into its mouth like a pill, and literally tuck and rolled back inside. "Hahaha! Showing off a little?" I laughed.

"Sableye"

I thought for a second, "Well that sounded like an agreement to me." I stated, matter-of-factly. I saw a jeweled Cheshire cat smile from the shadows and decided I was right. Just as I started to get up and brush myself off,(not that it did any good mind you) I heard the thump thump thump of shoes on sand. I turned around to see timothy running in my direction, breathing like a snorlax running a marathon. I reached my hand up in a greeting,"Hey Tiny Tim!" I mocked, referring to the mere one inch I have on him in height. Rolling his eyes, he replied, "Hey Mira! And once again, it's one inch. That's it." Coming to a stop, he took a second to catch his breath. I gave him some time, then with a pleased smile said, "So Timmy, you'll never guess what I found today."

He gave me one of his serious looks, "Mira, I'm not playing another one of your guessing games. Plus I have something to tell you."

I faked an astonished gasp, "Why not?" I asked, ignoring his later statement.

Without hesitation he replied

"Maybe because last time I did you threw a small cacnea at me." 'HA! Easily distracted as ever!' I thought.

I then gave an amused chuckle, "Oh you never appreciate the little things." I punned. "And by the way it was only three inches tall! A natural wonder!"

"Yeah, no. That "natural wonder" got its needles tangled into my hair and had to be cut out with your dagger." He reminded me.

"Well your hair looks better short anyway. But I'm getting off topic. Do you wanna see what I found or not?" I said, both to speed up the conversation and to get his mind off that last incident.

He sighed, "Fine. But, if it kicks, scratches, beats, burns, paralyzes, or poisons me it's your fault. Got it?"

I nodded, saying, "I can't make any promises." and with a smile I led him over to the sableye's hiding spot. I knelt down, pulling Tim down with me. "Alright little guy, come on out. Don't be shy come on." I said soothingly.

Timothy's POV

'What is she talking to?' I thought.

"Mira, just tell me what it is before I end up getting wounded." I said, warily.

She gave me the stink eye, "Hush Timmy!"

After that she turned her attention back to the pile of ruins. I couldn't really tell but I thought I saw something shining, just a little glint in the shadows. Maybe Mira found some sort of treasure or something? Perhaps something even rarer than the jewels she brings back about twice a week. Just as I was about to ask what it was a small purple pokemon with gemstones embedded into its body, and diamonds for eyes slunk out into the open.

I jumped back from the sableye and gave Mira an alarmed look, "Mira! What the hell is that thing doing here?"

"I don't know." She replied, not taking her eyes off of the creepy ghost type, "But isn't he neat?"

I gave her a questioning look, "He?"

She tore her eyes off of the creature to look at me, "Yes, he."

She must have caught my skeptical expression because after a moment of hesitation she said, "Well look at him, doesn't he look like a he to you?" She stepped in the sableye's direction, knelt down to its eye level and, using her best senile Professor
Oak voice she said, "So, tell me. Are you a boy, or a girl?"

Despite my own self, a chuckle escaped my lips as the sableye looked at her like she was crazy. Well it was at least half right after all. I smiled and tried my best to compose myself as I walked over to the darkness pokemon. "H-Hello little guy." I said nervously, deciding to trust Mira's word on the whole gender thing. "How'd you get here?" I looked to Mira, who was gazing at sableye admiringly. "You know, this species of pokemon isn't indigenous to our area."

She smiled, "I thought not. That's part of the reason I wanted to show it to you. Do you think it was abandoned by its trainer?" Her face turned serious at the question. If there was one thing that Mira cared about, it was pokemon. She once kicked a trainer in the face for releasing their swablu because it was weak. Needless to say the guy never came back. He did shout a long list of profanities as he ran away though. I gave her an unsure look and shrugged, "I don't know Mira. Usually when someone catches a ghost type they know the risks, and how to deal with them. However, ghost types are often mean, tricky, and sometimes evil."

She looked down at the sableye, "I don't believe that. I mean, I know that they usually like to play pranks on people but that's not really evil is it?"

I knew she had me there but I wasn't willing to give in just yet.

"Mira, You've heard the stories. They can steal spirits."

She rolled her eyes, "Oh please! You know that's a bunch of bull as well as I do." She said as she reached over to sableye. "Come here buddy. I just want to shake hands."

The sableye looked at her inquisitively, "Say? Sableye." It reached it's hand out to touch Mira's, which clasped his.

Mira let go and smiled at him, then me, "Did you see that Timmy? C'mon! You too!" Mira jumped up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the ground. I pulled back, not fully trusting sableye quite yet.

"Um, no. No thank you. Mira. I don't-"

"You know? I bet he can smell fear." She laughed, interrupting me. I gave her a withering look and relented, my hand touched the sableye's small one. It was weird to feel it because it felt more like a really strong, cold wind pushing against my skin. I looked at the creatures face and it smiled at me. At least I hoped that was a smile and not that it was bearing its razor sharp teeth so that it could tear into my skin. "See? Isn't he cool?" Mira asked as I withdrew my hand. I glanced over to her. She was beaming.

I forced a smile, "Yeah. Awesome"

She squealed, "I know!"

I sighed again, "Alright I know that look in your eyes and I say no. You know what's going to happen if you bring that thing back to Jirasum."

Mira looked at me as if I had just killed all her hopes and dreams. "But we could come up with a plan. We could hide him or something."

I narrowed my eyes, "Mira, you know that won't work, and you know it just as well as I do."

She scowled up at me, and then smiled knowingly, "Timothy how long have you known me?"

"Ever since my parents let me visit the troublemaker down the street." I told her.

"And Timothy, when have I ever been wrong?"

I look around, pretending to think, "Let's see there was that one time when you said that Mrs. Shuler's vibrava w-"

"Never Timmy! Not a once." She interrupted in a warning tone, holding up her index finger and grinning triumphantly.

"Pfff! Hahahaha! Right! I should have said the time that you thought you could train those wild sandshrew to-oof!" I was interrupted by a punch in the gut.

Mira yelled, "We agreed never to speak of it!" It took me a minute to stop laughing with Mira throwing soft punches at me, we were both rolling around on the ground, it had turned into a game. By the time I did stop laughing we were both covered in a sheen of sweat and had about as much sand on us as was in the desert. I looked over to see a very confused looking sableye staring at us. I returned my attention to Mira who now had her gaze fixed on a sandshrew a few yards away. 'Ha! As easily distracted as ever… oh crap so am I.' I jump up and pull Mira up with me. She looks at me, slightly annoyed.

She asks, "What was that about?" I start pulling her towards Jirasum, I looked back to her,

Mira's POV

Timmy looked at me, still pulling towards the village, "They found out what you did Mira."

I thought for a second, 'Let's see… what did I do? I haven't pulled a prank on anyone in two weeks. Am I losing my touch?' I stop, "Tim. What did I do?"

He glares at me," Mira don't play innocent. They found out about you putting stun spore in Mrs. Allen's slowpoke's food."

I stare at Tim incredulously, and then I raise my voice, "Tim. I can't believe you would even consider that! If you haven't noticed, I actually like Bruno! I wouldn't do anything to hurt him or scare him; I know how easily he can get his feelings hurt!"

I was mad now. So mad, I was screaming at Timmy, tears were welling up in my eyes, I would never hurt a pokemon, especially not sweet little Bruno. Mrs. Allen had gotten Bruno as an egg, I had literally known him since the day he had hatched and she had even let me care for him once in a while despite her mistrust of me. I'd helped build an aquarium for Bruno and I even took care of him one time when he was sick. I could never hurt him. Tim was shaking; he hadn't seen me get this mad in a while, "Mira. I-"

"NO TIM! You know for fucking certain that I wouldn't do that! Why did you- Why would- How could you go along with it!?" My fists were clenched and I felt as if there was a red hot coal burning its way through my entire body.

Tim was backing away now, "Mira your dad told me to!"

I stopped; he might as well have slapped me across the face. "My dad? Oh… "

Without another word, I shook him off, grabbed my bag, and walked back to the sableye. "Hey buddy." I said with a smile, "You want to come with us? I've got lots more of those tasty jewels for you, a roof over your head and, as a bonus; you get to piss my dad off on a daily basis! How about it?" The sableye looked at me like I was the oddest thing he'd ever seen, but after a second he gave me another Cheshire smile and started walking towards Jirasum. "I'll take that as a yes." I said triumphantly, "Come Timmy, I'll march to my undeserved doom." I gifted him an evil smile as I made sure my bag was all packed up and I headed out. I stopped a few seconds later and looked to the sableye, "Hey! Sableye!" The sableye stopped and looked at me questioningly, "You need a name don't you? How about I call you. . . Lumio. I like that name. It suits you."

He smiled up at me, "Say. Sableye leye."

"Alright." I beamed, and then I glanced back to Tim who was, surprise, surprise, still standing exactly where we left him, "C'mon Tim! No stragglers!" And with that, both me, and the newly dubbed Lumio sprinted towards Jirasum with tiny Tim trailing behind us.

Georgi's POV

I trudged my way through the great sands in Hoenn's ever famous desert. I was inwardly thanking myself that I had bought a pair of Go-Goggles. Without them I am certain I would've got more lost than I already was. The worst part about it was the fact that it wasn't even a storm; it was just typical Hoenn desert behaviour. The winds were gentle, but the constant stinging of the small grains of sand on my face was enough to make me cover my cheeks with my hands as if they were freezing.

Before I go on, I ought to explain myself up until that point. My name is Georgi Lacour, and I am a seventeen year old Pokemon trainer, and a fairly decent one at that. I was born in the Johto region and had a rather sheltered life up until I was ten years old. I was told by my parents that I was to go to a private school where I would not be able to pursue my dream. I always wanted to become a pokemon trainer, and I even managed to smuggle in the family smeargle until my parents realised. However, after less than a year there, my parents split and could no longer fund my education. I left the school and within a few months I was ready to go on my adventure. I went over to the Sinnoh region to start my journey for no other reason than the fact that I was told by my mom that she was able to buy a house there, so she wouldn't be too far. I received my first pokemon, a Shinx, because they were giving the three starters to other kids who were starting their journey on that day.

Shinx was very happy to see me from the moment she was out of her pokeball. On the other hand, I was a little nervous because I had been told all too many times how young electric types can send off very strong jolts without knowing, but after our first battle against another trainer's turtwig. Despite the turtwig having used withdraw more times than I can count, she was able to clinch the victory. She ran and jumped into my arms, and in that moment I forgot all about my hesitations of electric types. Since then, she has grown stronger, and we're greater friends than I could ever picture. After our gracious victory, I decided to name her Rhen and it wasn't until we reached the first gym that we had any real trouble. It was after we both realised she couldn't do it on her own that I was able to go out and catch a Budew to become Rhen's first team mate. Things couldn't have gone any better from this point onwards. The success I had just went in a snowball effect. Within one year of travelling around the Sinnoh region and challenging all the gym leaders, I had eight badges. However, I decided to not challenge the league, having seen challengers my age struggle, so with my whole team I decided to go back to my roots.

When we visited the Johto region, it was the same journey all over again, and we enjoyed it all the same. Rhen was the only one to stay with me until the end of my Johto journey. The majority of my pokemon had become tired of battling continuously, so I made the difficult decision to let them go. Those who wanted to continue battling, but were just unable to, were among those as well. It made me sad, but I was happy that they were going to feel better, and I knew I wouldn't forget them. I was a lot slower in travelling Johto, taking my time to improve with my team. I thought it over with myself, and I decided that I wouldn't be ready to challenge any league until I was at least eighteen. I knew I would always have Rhen to count on, but I didn't know if my team was going to be as good with battles as my original six. For some reason I had it in my mind that these first six were my best team, and now I only had one sixth of that team. After I made that decision to withhold my league challenge I travelled to the various other regions and I finally got to Hoenn about five months before I was in the situation I described at the start.

When I arrived I met with Professor Birch. He told me how he had actually heard news of me through various sources, explaining that actually in Hoenn I was relatively well known. Not for being a great champion or anything, but for being odd in my decisions to not challenge the leagues. He also explained that seeing as I had been seventeen for two months at this point; I would likely decide to challenge the Hoenn league. I was hesitant, but agreed that it was likely, stating that I would rather see how everything goes than just immediately race ahead for the league. Birch explained that he was happy to help me with anything before I set off for my journey, and that he would like me to have one of the starter Pokemon as a welcome to Hoenn gift from him. I chose to have Treecko, because I was informed from a friend I met in Sinnoh all those years ago that Treecko were reliable in battle, and were very smart. Birch gave a check up on Rhen, gave me the pokeball for Treecko, and we were on our way.

As soon as I reached Petalburg I was given a surprise when I saw my mom for the first time in three years. She had changed in looks almost completely. When I came to think of it, so had I. I walked over to the lake and clearly saw my reflection. I was now much taller than I had been obviously, but also, my whole appearance had changed. I was now leaner after all of the travelling I did, my skin was no longer a pale, pasty white tone, instead I was a sort of dirty bronze colour now thanks to all the walks in the sun. My hair had gone from blonde to a sandy brown colour and it was longer, although kept in place by my bandana. The only things unchanged were my eyes, still a vibrant blue, with a hint of yellow around the pupil. I looked a lot older now, the years on the road had forced me to grow up, and I was happy with the changes.

After my mother and I had a quick reunion I found out that she had decided to become a pokemon co-ordinator, and had been in Hoenn for two years already. She had made quite a name for herself in the contests. She told me that I wouldn't be able to face the Petalburg gym right away, and to go to Rustboro. She decided to accompany me to the city, and we were able to catch up with each other's lives. She was able to see Rhen again, making a fuss over her, which needless to say, Rhen loved the attention. I used the time we had together to train up my new treecko. Without intending to, I managed to train treecko enough to evolve him into a grovyle. Soon after this I went on a mission to catch other pokemon and form my team from the start. I was fortunate enough to be able to catch a tailow, a zigzagoon and a lone Vulpix who was actually seeking to be caught for some reason.

Anyway, long story short, I was travelling through Hoenn and I had made it to the desert. I was told that if I was luck then I would be able to find a sand tower which contained the fossils of ancient pokemon. Naturally I saw this as a great opportunity. I was always in love with the history of pokemon, and owning one of the fossils would make me feel very happy, so I trudged into the vast area of sand dunes and soon I found myself lost. The heat of the desert however was not affecting me because I was able to feel a nice breeze. However, at the time it didn't strike me as obvious that the winds meant there would be a sandstorm and within only about ten minutes I found out the harsh reality of winds in a desert. I had given up my search for the fossils as soon as I felt the sandstorm upon me. I didn't even notice as the storm passed because it felt almost the same.

As I was saying at the start, I was making my way through the deert, not exactly sure of where I was going, and although I told myself it was pointless to go after any of the fossils, I was still living on an impossible hope of finding this fabled mirage tower. I sent out Vye, my trapinch that I received from mom. "Vye, I'm gonna need you to lead me to any shelter you can find okay?" Vye nodded and gestured her head in the direction in front of me, as if she already knew the area, but I guessed with her type, she would be able to sense the edge of these storms anyway. I followed, making sure she was never too far ahead. I smiled to myself as I saw her move at what was a quick rate for a pokemon like her, it was almost a comical sight to see her dash from one space to another, almost in a zigzagoon's sort of style.

Suddenly she stopped. She turned around and looked up at me "Tra trap pinch.." she sighed. Obviously I can't understand pokemon language, but I could already assume that she couldn't find anything and felt bad about it.

I knelt down to her and patted her on the head lightly "Don't worry about it Vye, you did everything you could." I smiled warmly and looked ahead, visibility getting even worse as an actual storm was showing its first signs of brewing "Great." I found my turn to sigh and opened my backpack, allowing Vye to fit inside whilst I carried her on my back, she always enjoyed this, just like Rhen had as a Shinx. I noticed at the same time that it was getting darker, meaning it would be night time soon. Deserts are cold at night, so I knew I had to find some place rather fast. I started walking at a quicker pace, feeling the grains of sand being shot at my neck, stinging me to the point where my neck felt numb. I gitted my teeth and continued on through the now strong storm. I could feel the wind pushing both against me and helping me, and it made walking much more difficult. "You okay back there, Vye?" I said, just to hear something other than the whistling winds and the sand scraping against my clothing and the small parts of exposed skin.

"Trapinch!" she said happily, enjoying the harsh conditions that her kind were so used to already, and it gave me a small smile to know that at least someone was enjoying it, even if I was barely holding back the pain from my mind.

An hour passed and it seemed as if I was actually walking with the storm now because conditions didn't improve at all. I stopped and turned right, hoping that I would finally find my way out of the desert and I took a stroke of luck because just a few paces after I started in that direction, Vye found a way to wriggle out of the backpack and started walking ahead of me. I didn't question her, knowing that she wouldn't do it for no reason. "What've you found Vye?" I ask, smiling lightly. She said nothing and continued walking. I looked ahead and saw that already the path ahead was more visible. It took no longer than five minutes since I changed direction to get out of that wretched storm.

I looked back at the large expanse of sand and dust being carried with the large gusts of wind. I chuckled when I noticed that the wind was in fact going the same direction I had for the last hour. The actual storm itself was very small. At a guess I would've said it was no more than fifty metres long and four hundred metres wide. I shook my head and smiled "Can't believe I didn't think of that earlier." I sat down on one of the dunes; Vye came and sat next to me as we watched the storm move away into the distance. Vye perked up and looked in the direction of the storm. I did the same and I smiled as I saw that there were a few dim lights about a mile away from where we were sat. "You ready Vye? Last little stretch." I got up and emptied the sand from my backpack before setting off. I took off my Go-Goggles and saw just how much darker it had got since I made it into the desert. I looked up and saw the stars, millions of them, although there were some bug pokemon floating above too. I almost lost my breath at the amazing sight.

Vye nudged at my leg "Tra" she snapped, wanting to get moving.

"Ah, my apologies Vye, just something I haven't seen in a while." I picked her up and began to walk towards the sources of light. It wasn't long before I found out how cold the desert was getting now that it was night time and I started shivering, my thin summer clothes not providing anywhere near enough warmth. I decided it was best to keep going instead of stopping because I was only going to get there quicker if I carried on.

The light never seemed to get closer and I wondered if it was just a mirage, but I kept on going, slightly regretting my decision to not put on my hoodie. Although, I doubted that it would provide much more warmth as I got much colder along with the desert itself. My arms went numb. Vye sensed this and jumped out of my arms, walking with me instead. "I could've carried you y'know. My arms are cold, not weak." I raise an eyebrow at her.

"Pin Trapi pinch." She pouted with a slight smirk and I smirked back, knowing almost exactly what she said.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll see." I decided to drop the subject and thought it was a good time so I unclasped Rhen's pokeball from my belt and released her. Rhen stretched out quickly before looking back at me, glaring angrily "Welcome back to the real world sleepy." I chuckled, causing Rhen to growl at me. I am certain that I am the only one not scared of Rhen's growl "Oh come on now. You didn't want to go into your pokeball anyway. Now that you're out you're angry because I woke you. Cheer up would you." I smiled, knowing I would break her. She pounced me and pushed me to the ground, baring her fangs at me, but it was an act she played all too many times, so I just hugged her and she immediately stopped and began to purr "There, calm down Rhen. I get less sleep than all of you." I said in a slightly whiney tone. I turned to face Vye "Vye return." She nodded and got herself into the pokeball.

The Luxray got up and let me stand up. "We've nearly found somewhere to stay for the night I think. You're gonna walk the last leg of this with me." I smile and petted her on the head before I started walking "Come on. I'll even race you if I have to." I joked, knowing that I would stand no chance against Rhen.

Rhen's ears perked and she looked beyond me, sprinting past me in a moment. I reacted as quickly as I could and tried to run after her hopelessly. "Geez, Rhen slow down! What is it?" and again before I could react she stopped. I closed the gap quickly and stopped right next to her, panting and breathing heavily, gasping for air "What was that all about?" I said, feeling exhausted, my heart pounding in my chest as sweat dripped down on to the sand despite it being near freezing temperatures. Rhen responded with a small grunt and motioned her head in the direction in front of us. I looked forwards and saw several buildings, although these buildings were small and looked old, run down, and for the most part, broken. "This place looks awesome." I smiled as I saw the ruins. They were only about one hundred metres away, so Rhen and I ran there.

When we got into the ruins I traced my fingers across the walls, scraping away some of the dust and finding some inscriptions on there, some were legible and some were not. To make it even more annoying for me, the scripts were in Hoenn language, not Johto, although there were similarities, so I decided to read some of them. I became increasingly interested as I was able to decipher what some of the inscriptions read, decoding them as I went along. I reached what was a grand looking statue amongst what seemed to be a pile of rubble. The statue was clearly of a pokemon and I recognised it, but my memory was failing me. I saw more writing underneath the statue, on a plaque of some kind "This shrine in its entirety is dedicated to Ji….i and we are most grateful to have life brought to us by it. Through its help, hospitality and powers we are able to believe that if we opened our minds we can find a whole new world in the same place as we stand…huh…that's some metaphor to come up with…then again I guess the people of that time used religion as something to turn to." I decided to leave the statue "I guess it means that if we looked at the world differently then we'll be able to see it in a better light, rather than what we're used to….I dunno. Rhen, I've gotta get over this haven't I?" she smiled and nodded at me.

After a few more minutes of looking around I decided that this place was as good as any to spend the night. I set down my stuff and made a makeshift mattress out of my clothes. However, before I could get to sleep I heard some commotion not too far from where I was. Rhen growled darkly and I shushed her, walking towards the noise. I peeked over a wall to see a girl and boy with a Sableye, the girl and Pokemon now walking away, the boy starting to walk behind them.

I get down from where I am and call to the girl and boy from afar "Hey. You're from Hoenn, right; around here? Could you help me with something?" I call out, waiting for a response, knowing I was loud enough.

A/N: Well, hope you liked it guys. We put in a lot of effort for this and really hope it'll go far. I'm gonna reiterate what Calius said: please review, we're only gonna get better if we see what needs improving, and to see what needs improving we need others pointing it out, although nice comments would be appreciated as well. I'm signing it off for this chapter. Thank you, and here's to more chapters.