Chapter One
The bright light of summer's last siege streamed in through the windows. The leaves had yet to change but an autumn wind glided just slightly out of reach. There was stillness in nature's anticipation of the change of seasons. The only sounds were slight; the chirping of birds, the dirge of the cicadas, and the rustling of a breeze every now and again.
Amira lay on a wooden floor while staring vacantly at the ceiling. A pounding headache roused her from her sleep. Torpor weighed down her body and refused her the ability to move. Like the approaching season itself, all she could do was exist in a state between. The fatigue of depression was a perpetual twilight.
An image on the old cube television crackled in muted colors in contrast to its bright and festive programming. In these moments, the world went unheard as she unfocused her eyes and watched space and time fold in, under, and over themselves, until everything turned into nothing but static. If she stayed calm, she could hear her breathing. She could even see it reflected back at her, slightly, from something in the distance. She could never see it clearly. It would always jump around from one spot to the next if she tried to focus on it. Like some scared animal, it only stayed still as long as she did.
But this was only if she remembered to breathe. If she didn't, then the static became harsh. It turned into jagged shapes and sharp pain and long claws always reaching for her ever so slowly, just about to strike. It was tens of thousands of tiny crawling things with gnashing teeth and pinching claws tearing at her in the smallest inch. And it was inescapable.
During this episode, she breathed and the world existed only as an unmovable gray. It was a relief.
A screeching sound broke through her haze. Panic started to settle in when she realized it was the angry voice of her aunt. She had no idea how long she had been laying there and hurried to answer her call.
She was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with both of her hands on her hips. Her tight face was upturned in anger.
"And what took you so long? Why can't you come when I call for you the first time?"
She stood silent in front of her and said nothing. She knew knew by now not to expect kindness, cheer, or concern. She had been living with her for just under a month but she had quickly gotten used to the routine.
She was somehow expected to act agreeably while being berated. Her aunt, Johanna, considered herself 'helpfully' pointing out her faults so that she could correct them. Any attempts Amira made to defend herself only resulted in escalation. Any rebuttal was taken as a personal affront and her aunt would quickly descended into hysterical screaming and crying. She believed herself a martyr burning on a pyre of generosity and that her niece should be grateful.
"I can't let you lie around all day when there's work to be done! Do you expect me to do it all by myself? I wish you knew how to properly show appreciation, then I wouldn't have to call you down to ask you to start your chores."
Amira did her best to hide any expression in her face that said she had known the argument would come to this. So much so, that she began to think she might be justified.
"I don't cater to children. I know your mother spoiled you but if you're going to stay under my roof, you have to work. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Ma'am," she responded in a flat tone. She kept her eyes on the floor and tried to shut out the bitterness festering inside her.
"It's the least you can do since I'm letting you live here for free."
She gave her a list of household chores which essentially added up to cleaning the whole house. She wasn't a guest so much as she was made to be a live-in maid. It wasn't that she minded doing them. They kept her busy and any focus outside of herself was welcomed.
Her only complaint was her aunt's constant presence. When there was silence, she could feel her stares, flitting from guilty to loathsome, but never upset by the meanness on her face. Other times, such as this day, she would stand behind her and scold her as she worked. It was meant to drive home whatever point she felt she had failed to impress from her lecture before.
"I want to hear a more thankful tone from you from now on. The only reason I let you stay here is because your mother asked. You don't have anywhere else to go is what she said."
She started sweeping the kitchen without stopping or looking up from her work. Her grip on the broom was too tight and so were her nerves. She didn't want to hear what Johanna had to say, she never did, but all she could do was bear it and hope she finished soon.
"Or else you'd be out on the streets doing God knows what to survive. Perhaps you should keep that in mind."
She kept moving and tried to push her words out of her mind as hard as she could. They weren't true, she told herself. They were just the words of a bitter old woman whom she wished would shut up and leave her alone. She only left when the phone rang but that didn't stop her from speaking about her to whoever was on the other line as if she weren't just in the other room. She dragged through her chores with a glazed look in her eyes. The last one was watering the yard and with it, she took her time as it provided the distance she desperately needed.
She stood on the back porch watering the flower beds and stopped to look over Twinleaf Town. It was a small town on the edge of the Sinnoh region. Vast fields of greenery separated the houses but the town was fenced in by a neatly manicured forest. She was surrounded by the flowery affluence of suburbia and the monotony that came with it. It was to this small town that her mother had decided to send her without notice, choice, or much of an explanation.
She didn't get to say a word of goodbye to anyone. She had been told that it was for her safety and supposed it to be true since Ghetsis was still free. But she often felt as if it were a punishment. While no physical harm came to her, she had no idea how much longer she could put up with her aunt before breaking down completely and going on a murderous rampage. Every time she thought about running away, a new fear appeared to stop her. Where would she go? What would she do for food and shelter? Who would protect her in a place where she knew no one? How far could she even go without even a single Pokemon? If she asked for help, would anyone even care?
To make matters worse, ghosts pulled at the frayed edges of her sanity. She couldn't sleep for the nightmares that hid behind closed eyes. She still smelled the blood and felt its warmth as it soaked through her clothes. Her eyes drank in the sight of the maimed bodies of her Pokémon strewn about her in a burning building all while laughter rang in her ears. And from the corner of these nightmares, a pair of dimly lit red eyes sat in the darkness, watching and waiting. Its predatory air was suffocating.
She tried to stave off sleep anyway she could. She ate little and holed herself away in any quiet corner she could find. Ever since she had set foot on the strange land that was Sinnoh, this illness took a firm hold of her. There were heavy bags under her eyes and distance in her stare. Her round figure had lost its curves and the thinness was jarring on her frame. She always felt light-headed and dizzy, but her silence was steel. She told no one about what she saw in her dreams or how she felt.
Waking hours provided her with only another kind of torture. Johanna's episodes were always the same though the words she used from day to day differed. She let her mind blank over as degradations were thrown at her in the guise of how the only safe haven was under her thumb. Though she was quick to deny it, the verbal beatings had left their marks. She questioned her own competency, whether her life was worth living, or if she'd merely botch a suicide attempt as well.
She let out another sigh as she finished pouring water on the last potted plant.
"Ami! Hey! Ami!"
Barry ran toward her at full throttle was. He was tall and lanky, with bright eyes and curly tufts of blonde hair. He tried most times to be tough but it never amounted to much thanks to his baby face and tireless personality. They had developed a friendship of sorts soon after she arrived. Twinleaf Town was full of retirees and newly-weds so there weren't many kids around his age for him to spend time with.
"Hey, I was looking for you earlier! Your aunt said you weren't home?"
She huffed at hearing another of Johanna's lies at work.
She kept her in the house but told anyone looking for her, usually Barry, that she wasn't home. She denied her any use of the phone by telling her it was a privilege she had to earn, a feat that remained impossible no matter what she did. The day she received a letter from home, it was immediately confiscated as punishment even though she had done nothing wrong. She was told that it, like the phone, could be it earned as a reward but it never was. Eventually, she stopped asking or expecting to receive anything from her.
"Now that I found you, let me tell you what we're doing today!"
"I have to do chores," she mumbled.
"Oh yeah?" He grabbed the watering can from her and set it aside as he hooked his arm around hers. "Never mind that! We're going to the lake! You gotta come! So come on!"
"But! She'll get mad if I don't finish them…"
"Let her," he yelled as he dragged her along. "She'll always be mad about one thing or another, won't she?"
Barry had had his fair share of run-ins with Johanna. Though she always seemed cordial, her polite tone did nothing for the backbiting compliments and gossip she spread about everyone else's business but her own. He had heard enough stories about her from his mother that he decided that she was a character to beware of.
"We've got bigger things to worry about," he continued. "You've seen that report on TV about the red Gyarados showing up in that lake, right? Well I thought, there's gotta be a thing or two like that in our lake! We just haven't checked! So let's get going!"
She feigned resignation to traveling with him. In truth, she was thankful for his friendship.
The lake he mentioned was Lake Verity that sat not too far from the town. It was just a short walk but they purposefully dawdled along while Barry talked a mile a minute. He had yet to go on his Pokémon journey but was happily telling her all about the amazing things he'd do and the tournaments he'd win when he did.
"So my dad thinks he's the tops, right? And compared to everyone else, yeah, he blows them out of the water hands down! But when I get a Pokémon, you can bet that he'll be looking over his shoulder for me! Cause I'll be- Hold on!"
He pulled her to her halt as they approached the lake. "What's going on over there?"
Standing on the dock and were two men staring out into the distance. There was no clue as to what they were saying but she managed to catch a few words of their conversation as they got closer. They were done with whatever business they had and were leaving without a moment to spare.
"Excuse us," said the older man in a gruff tone. He was stocky with gray hair that included mutton chops and a mustache but no beard. "Let us pass."
"Yes, Sir." She took a step back in haste at his sternness.
The other man with him turned out to be a college kid around her age, or so she assumed. He was tall like Barry, but had a kind face and a hint of chiseled features topped off with black hair in a spiky Caesar cut that stuck out from all directions under his red newsboy cap.
"Pardon us, so sorry folks." He nodded to her with a smile that reached the corners of his brown eyes and gave a slight tip of his hat to Barry.
"No problem," she blushed as he passed.
"What was all that," muttered Barry after they gone out of hearing distance. "Hey! They left something here!"
He walked to the edge of the dock and picked up an old trunk case that had been left behind.
"Oi! Old man," he yelled at the top of his lungs in the direction they had gone. "You left your briefcase!"
He scanned the road for any sign of them but to no avail. "And just what are we supposed to do with it," he asked irritantly.
She knew from his sarcastic tone that it was a rhetorical question but answered him anyway.
"We could try and return it," she shrugged.
"Yeah but the thing of it is, we don't know who those people are. I mean, if you want to hold onto it and maybe fate will bring you and Johnny Romance together again..."
"What?" Her voice became hesitantly annoyed. She cut her eyes at him and raised her brow.
"I saw that little flutter of your eyelashes." He mocked her with a wicked grin and imitated her in a high pitched voice, "no problem, you big, strong, strapping man, you."
"I did not," she shouted back at his audaciousness.
"You so did! Way to check out his bum too! Don't think I missed that!"
"I so did not!"
Their fight came to a halt with the screech of two wild Pokémon that madly beset upon them. They were small birds, no bigger than normal pigeons but she knew first hand that small things could do a lot of damage, especially Pokémon.
"Oh fuck," he exclaimed.
They were trapped on the edge of the dock with no way to defend themselves. He took a step backward and accidentally dropped the briefcase. Its lock, if it had one, was faulty enough to pop open. They were lucky none of its contents spilled into the water but what caught their eyes were the three Poké Balls sitting on top of everything else.
"Right, let's do this! Poké Ball, go!"
He grabbed one immediately and sent out a Pokémon, a small fiery chimpanzee.
'Chimchar, the Chimp Pokémon. It agilely scales sheer cliffs to live atop craggy mountains. Its fire is put out when it sleeps.'
She stood frozen and watched him battle. The Chimchar was doing well enough but with being outnumbered, the battle was turning south.
"Hey," he shouted to her over his shoulder. "I could use some help! You're supposed to be a hot shot, aren't you? Grab a Poké Ball and do something!"
In the spur of the moment, she picked up one of the two Poké Balls left. She ignored the chill that it sent through her to be holding one again, after so long. She took a deep breath and tossed it. From out of it came a juvenile blue penguin.
'Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. It doesn't like to be taken care of. It's difficult to bond with since it won't listen to its trainer.'
Now that the odds were even, their toddler Pokémon turned out to be stronger than the wild birds and their combined efforts drove them off. They flew only as far as the nearest tree but stayed watching them, their bodies puffed up and fidgety. When she pointed it out, he guessed that they must be near their nest and a quick look under the dock proved him right.
"That's it," he said as he stood and wiped the dirt from the knees of his pants. "It's right underneath us. We're intruding on their turf is why they got all bent out of shape. Come on, let's move. My little guy got hurt from that battle and if they start up again, we might be in trouble."
She nodded and recalled Piplup without a word. He stared at his Poké Ball with pride as he walked ahead of her. She kept hers balled tight in her fist and stared only at the back of his shoes as they made their way off of the dock.
"Your Pokémon was good but mine was better," he grinned. "I mean, if that's the best Unova's got then maybe you ain't so hot after all."
"They're not our Pokémon though," she pointed out in reply.
"Yeah… but we had to use them! Look, maybe they won't mind?"
She was about to say that they should return them regardless when the young man from before came running up to them.
"Oh, good," he said, as he bent over slightly while trying to catch his breath. "You found the briefcase. Thank you. The professor would've gone through the roof if he knew... that I had... Oh..."
He looked from the Poké Balls in their hands and then inside the briefcase where only a single Poké Ball remained.
"Oh no…"
"We're sorry," she said hastily as she attempted to give the Poké Ball back.
"I'll just take the case." The young man refused her and snapped the briefcase shut. He spoke aloud to himself in panic as he left, "how am I going to explain this one to the professor?"
"Does he not want them back," she asked.
"I dunno," he answered in honest confusion. "I really wish I could keep this little guy... But standing around ain't doing nothing for nobody so let's just go."
She wore a look of shame but said nothing more. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along as they marched forlornly back to town.
When they neared the turn to Twinleaf Town the old man and the college kid from before were standing there waiting for them was. She and Barry froze in their tracks as the professor's eyes fell upon them. She wondered just how angry he would be that they used his Pokémon. They were sure to find out soon as he more or less charged them instead of walking.
"I heard from Lucas that you used our Pokémon, is this correct?"
"Yes, Sir," they answered in quick unison.
"Let me see them please."
They held out their Poké Balls with trembling hands and called forth the Pokémon. Piplup and Chimchar greeted the professor with happy noises of chirps and howls as he stared at them.
"Hmm… I see. Lucas," he said turning to the young man, "I'm going back to my lab at once."
"Uh, yes Professor," answered the put-upon, yet still smiling Lucas. "You kids should visit us at the lab, okay?"
While Lucas had taken the time to greet them goodbye with a friendly wave, he turned to see that the professor was a good distance ahead already.
"Hey, Professor! Wait for me!"
"Well that... What was that craziness about," remarked Barry once they had left and was sure they wouldn't be returning. "If he was angry, he could've just yelled at us or something."
"What should we do? We even tried to give them back..."
"Who knows," he shrugged. "It's getting late. Let's figure this all out tomorrow, alright?"
She nodded again as they recalled their Pokémon. They parted ways once they reached her aunt's home. She stood on the back porch and watched for a moment as he walked the road home alone. Once he disappeared from her sight with a wave goodbye, she turned back to the house.
She knew Aunt Johanna would be furious that she had left without saying anything. She tried her best to sneak in and held her breath as she opened and closed the sliding door as quietly as she could. She had made it as far as the stairs without any noise. But there were no blessings to count as at the top of the landing stood her aunt, hands on her hips, waiting for her just as quietly.
Her heart skipped a beat. She stood frozen at her cold look of rage.
"Get out," she said calmly.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, you're excused," she yelled back. "Get out! I want you out of my house!"
Amira backed away as she descended the stairs. Her voice was growing louder and beginning to break as she went into theatrics.
"I only ask you to do simple, little things and you can't even be bothered to finish what you start! You don't care about me, you don't care about the kindness I've shown you. You should be damn grateful I let you stay here after your mother begged me to let you! Begged! Have you ever thought about if I hadn't agreed to it, where would you be?"
She started to shake. She was backed against the front door now with her fist clenched and pleading with her will to remain upright. Johanna would not relent as she laid into her.
"Anyone else would've just let you live out on the streets but I didn't! I took you in out of the kindness of my heart because you have nowhere else to go. But if this is how you repay me… if you want to leave then leave! See how long the world will put up with you before you come running back to me."
Amira didn't mean to start laughing. She found no humor in those words but the laughter, like her tears, was sudden and incessant.
"Do you think this is funny!?"
It wasn't apparent if Johanna hadn't noticed her emotional instability or just didn't care. It she hadn't, her fragile mentality became quite clear when her laughter turned into hoarse gasps for air.
"What's wrong with you? Stop that! Stop that now!"
Her moving forward prompted the latter to try to move back, forgetting she was already against a wall.
"Come here," she shouted.
Her command, like the one to stop, only prompted the opposite reaction. Amira said nothing and hurriedly opened the door and ran from the house. She didn't know where she was going but she'd rather be anywhere but in that moment. Without reason or logic, or even control of her emotions, she ran.
There was only one place her feet would take her. There was only one road out of town. As she reached the border of Twinleaf Town and Route 201, she and Barry slammed into each other at full force. Both were thrown back and lay dazed in the grass.
"What the bloody hell," he shouted while holding his chin. "You trying to knock my teeth out? Ami, you gotta be more careful! I ought to fine… you…"
He paused as he rose to his feet to see her curled into a ball. Their collision had knocked both their Poké Balls loose and released both Piplup and Chimchar. The two Pokémon were at her side and staring with curiosity and worry.
She hadn't bothered to get up and lay huddled over with her arms over her face to hide her crying.
"Hey, Ami," he said softer, "what's wrong? You okay?"
He got down on his knees and put both arms around her. She tried to answer him but could only stutter, too overwhelmed to breathe without heaving. She was too paralyzed to move as a new fear entered her mind. She had pushed her panic attacks to only come after nightfall, in her hours of solitude where no one could witness her pitiful state. Now her meltdown had an audience in her only friend.
Her face was hot with shame, matching the unbearable heat of the rest of her body. Even the tears that had managed to roll down her cheeks began to burn. An aching pain flashed violently through her head and pounded against her skull. It echoed in her chest as her heartbeat quickened. Her cries for help were only indecipherable murmurs.
"Hey, whatever's wrong, it'll be okay, alright? I got an idea. Come on, let's go see that old guy in Sandgem Town. I just got back from checking his place out. He's a bit out there but he'll know what to do, I bet."
She tried to steady her breathing as he pulled her to her feet. They walked to Sandgem Town without a word as Piplup and Chimchar walked alongside them. Every so often, the little penguin would take a sideways glance at her but made not a sound. They reached the professor's lab and after a knock on the door were greeted by Lucas.
"Welcome to Professor Rowan's Resear-"
"Yeah, enough of that," said Barry in agitation. "Take us to the old guy!"
"Professor Rowan," corrected Lucas. "He's right this way."
Rowan's lab was similar to Professor Juniper's in that it had adjacent living quarters but that was it. It was untidy, with books and research papers covering every surface. His staff, all men and women in lab coats, moved from one project to the next, seemingly stopping in the middle of whatever it was they were previously doing to do so. Some stood in clusters around the only tables that weren't covered with documents. Upon them sat a few bird Pokémon who didn't mind in the least at being admired and preened.
With or without Lucas' help, Piplup and Chimchar knew the way. They ran through the lab screeching at the top of their lungs and only stopped when they reached the feet of Professor Rowan. He stood in the back talking to another gentleman as they looked over a file but promptly excused himself upon seeing not only the two distressed juvenile Pokémon but also Lucas approaching with Barry and Amira in tow.
"Professor, the young man and lady from yesterday are-"
"Hey, old guy!"
Barry cut off Lucas again, not caring to be properly announced. His impetuosity became more pronounced when he deemed something an emergency. Lucas was also growing more agitated by his interruptions but continued to shrug it off.
"Look, you said I can come to you if we need anything, right? Well now I need something!"
Rowan took a look at Amira even as Barry spoke. Her head was bowed, her eyes downcast, and tears stained her face. Despite the spring chill, she was poorly dressed for the weather in threadbare clothing.
"I see," he replied. "Young lady, please follow me. Lucas, please assist this young man by providing him with the necessary materials for his Pokémon journey."
Barry's eyes noticeably lit up at the words but he shook the notion from his head as he remembered his original reason for coming. He hadn't let go of her hand and she hadn't moved from her spot. Through no fault of his own, his height and broad build made Professor Rowan an intimidating man and she was more than hesitant to follow him in her current state.
"Hold on a minute," said Barry as he kept his hold, "what about Ami!?"
"Everything'll be okay," assured Lucas.
"If you'll please come this way." Rowan held out his hand and called for her once more.
Her hesitation was absent in Piplup as he stood waiting for her by the professor. She swallowed and took a step closer but kept her hands tightly balled into fists by her sides. Rowan gave no indication of taking any offense to the gesture. They left Lucas and Barry behind as he led her to a separate part of the building, where the lab ended and his house began. There was a spare room on the bottom floor just in-between the two; this room functioned primarily as paper storage yet an old daybed remained as little more than a reminder of what it used to be.
"We can talk here in private, or would you prefer to be left alone to gather your thoughts?"
She had no answer. She hugged herself and kept her head down as she leaned away from him. Piplup was much more confident and answered for her in self-assured chirps.
"Very well. You may rest as long as you like. I must see to your friend and get back to work. I'll check in on you later and we can talk then."
She nodded once more to show that she understood and he left without a further word. She was slow in making her way to the bed but once there, threw herself face down onto it. Piplup waddled about the room before remembering his trainer and ran to her side. He hopped up on the bed and sat next to her, chirping all the while to get her attention.
He tried several times to make conversation but his cries went ignored as she lay silent and still. She was buried in a landslide of inharmonious thoughts, all filled with anxiety. A single pull at a loose thread that was the mention of her mother's abandonment had unraveled her composure entirely. She had fallen to her knees not only in front of Barry but was sure Lucas and Rowan also had dismayed opinions of her now.
She whispered 'I'm sorry', her first words to the little penguin since it had been given to her. It stared at her aghast and after a moment, reached out its downy covered flipper to pat her head. Its comforting conjured ghosts of memories of her Pokémon that would never return. She couldn't grasp the warmth or happiness that had been; only guilt resonated as she racked herself to sleep to a lullaby of pain and apologies.
The next day, Piplup greeted the sun with a loud series of noises that could only be described as the braying of a donkey from a broken auto-tune machine. She awoke clutching her ears and grimaced at him in pain and confusion. When had she fallen asleep and how long were the first questions that came to her mind. They were immediately pushed aside by the more immediate 'how could such a little thing make so much unnaturally sounding noise'.
It seemed she wasn't the only one awoken by Piplup's so-called singing as there came a knock on the door. She hadn't forgot where she was and hurried to open it for fear of angering the professor. He politely stepped back from the door and was fully dressed and wide awake. It could only be guessed, correctly at that, that he had been up and already at work for some time.
"Good morning." His greeting was stiff with formality but flat so as to give her some feeling of nonchalance. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes," she nodded quickly. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean, uhm, I'm sorry about intruding the way I did."
"Not at all," he assured her. "Some circumstances can't be helped. Now that you're awake, I hope you'll join me for breakfast. I have some important matters to discuss with you."
"Yes, Sir."
"Very good," he continued on as if her answer made no difference.
She followed him to the breakfast table with her mind in a daze. The awkwardness of the situation hadn't escaped her but she was more concerned about her defense. She was sure he would ask her why she had been crying or tell her that he had spoken to her aunt. What would she do if he tried to persuade her to work it out and return home? What if he had no interest at all and simply kicked her out afterwards, where would she go then? Would he ask for his Pokémon back?
She was so busy readying her argument that she didn't notice she was eating until a coffee mug touched her lip. To her surprise, the plate in front of her held a stack of half-eaten waffles and she had already finished a full glass of juice. To her right was Piplup, enjoying his own breakfast of Pokémon kibble.
"Are you ready to join the conversation or have you not yet finished your daydream?"
She jumped and dropped her head apologetically. She didn't know for how long she'd been in an occupied state of mind but he had.
"I'm sorry."
"Let's get to business. First, concerning what happened at the lake yesterday. I've already heard everything from your friend, Barry. There's no need to worry, I'm not angry. Entrusting Piplup to you was no mistake."
"But I don't think I can care for a Pokémon," she protested. "Especially after yesterday…"
Piplup looked from the professor to her as he heard his name called. He knew when a conversation was about him and even if it wasn't, thought it most certainly should be.
"I'm also well aware of the circumstances surrounding your previous partners," he said in a softer voice. "You have my sincerest gratitude for the role you played, as well as my most heartfelt condolences for the hardships you've suffered."
She swallowed hard with anticipation and surprise at his words. She nodded and picked at the rest of her plate. In her mind, she pleaded with him to stop his praise.
He clasped his hands together and leaned forward on the table to impose the weight not only of his words but the importance. He knew from the glassy expression in her eyes that he was picking at old wounds. Doing so wasn't easy but it was what needed to be done.
"You of all people should understand than, that we exist side by side with Pokémon. Life is a road that should be traversed together. In fact, it was last night's events that solidified my decision. Piplup is a very proud Pokémon," he explained. "It doesn't accept help easily yet it stayed by your side in your hour of need, did it not? Even though your time together has been short, it has already built an attachment to you."
Even as he spoke he sensed her apprehension and, as was his way, took the most direct approach to nipping it in the bud.
"All I ask is that you cherish this Piplup. It is now yours."
She surrendered to him without a fight, "yes, Sir."
Her mind turned to quelling the rising fear and doubt in her chest by taking deep breaths. She didn't want to repeat her episode, especially not in front of him. Piplup saluted the professor haughtily; he did not need taking care of.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "Now let's move on to the main topic. Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Professor Rowan. I specialize in Pokémon evolutionary biology. I would like to employ an experienced Trainer such as yourself to help me in my research."
"You want me to work at your lab," she asked nervously.
"For my lab," he corrected. "I'd like you to take a position as a field researcher and more importantly, resume your independent studies as a Trainer."
Piplup stood proud, impressed by the offer but she had no idea what he was asking of her.
"What would my job be exactly?"
"Data collection," he answered. "You would keep a journal of your travels across the Sinnoh region. It's an informal method that I think would be best suited to you. You simply write what you've observed and anything you think is relevant from your personal reflections."
She glanced at Piplup then averted her eyes to her plate as she thought it over. "Would I have to go back to Twinleaf Town?"
"That decision is yours alone to make," he answered. "There was some concern expressed about your tumultuous living situation. You may act as you see fit regarding personal matters. The only stipulation is that they do not interfere with your research nor are you to behave in any way that would reflect poorly on the lab's reputation. Is that understood?"
She nodded with a small sigh of relief. That was a good thing, she hoped. The more she weighed the pros and cons in her mind, the better the deal became. She would never have to see her aunt again. She would be on her own and self-sufficient. She would live the mundane life of a researcher without worrying about rogue legendary Pokémon or crime syndicates. She could keep her Pokémon far away from that kind of danger and wouldn't make that mistake ever again.
"Yes," she answered with a slight tremble but steadied her voice as she gained certainty. "Yes. I accept."
"Good. I am glad to hear it. Now before I can officially welcome you on board, something must be done about your appearance."
She looked at him with shock and embarrassment. She had arrived in Sinnoh with nothing. Johanna had never taken her shopping and so, she did her best to take care of the only outfit she had. There wasn't much to say for her simple cotton shirt but her jeans were amazingly durable.
"About that, I uhm..."
He caught her by surprise before she could invent a lie.
"The washroom is down the hall to the left. Once you're done freshening up, you may join me in laboratory."
"Yes, Sir," she answered with her face burning red. She wasn't sure but there was a possibility he could have just told her that she smelled. She knew the scent of ammonia and other cleaning chemicals lingered on her skin but didn't think it was that bad.
She secured Piplup in his Poké Ball and headed to the bathroom.
She was surprised to find a uniform ready and waiting for her hanging on the door. It consisted of a long-sleeved white blouse with puffed sleeves and a pink handkerchief hung loose around the collar waiting to be tied into a bow. Over it was a black sweater embroidered with the laboratory's logo and monogrammed initials in white thread. Finally, there was a pink knife-pleated skirt.
She stared at the clothing in disbelief. Of all the questions that went through her head, most were unsavory and in no way nearly as concerned about her safety as they should have been. She double-checked the lock on the door before turning to take a shower and jumped again.
There was not just the outfit but there were also two boxes with her name on them just beside the door. They had already been opened and as she took a closer look, she began to understand the situation.
The boxes were addressed to her from her mother. They were meant to be care packages but it looked like Johanna had seen fit to open them first and then hide their existence completely. She opened the first box to find an assortment of clothes; undergarments, skirts, pants, blouses, socks, and tights. The second box held a brand new duffle bag and pink all-terrain boots. Tears rolled down her cheeks as more importantly, each contained a letter from her mother.
'Ami,
How are you doing in Sinnoh? I know the weather is much colder there in the winter than it is here. I thought to send you some extra clothes to help keep you warm. Shopping Mall Nine is having their 'Back to School' sale so I got a lot of good deals! You're welcome. It's just like you're in school again and I'm buying your wardrobe for the semester. They haven't put their winter jackets on sale yet, so please wear layers and keep warm until then. I love you and miss you and will write you again soon.
Love, Mommy
P.S. – You should probably send your father a postcard or something.'
She wiped her face and smiled at the familiar annoyance of hearing her mother's cheery tone in her head as she read the first note to herself. When she was done, she folded it up but held onto it as she picked up the second one.
'Ami,
Guess what? I realized I can't have you walking all over the Sinnoh region barefoot and holding all your stuff in your arms! So I got you this bag and a matching pair of boots, perfect for hiking. But by the time I realized my mistake, I had already mailed off the first box! Okay, so I told a little white lie. The bag is from your friend, Bianca. She wanted to give it to you as a birthday gift and asked me to hold on to it for you. So it's a little early but you could use it now, couldn't you? And when your birthday comes, just act surprised! I did get the boots all on my own though. I was looking around a new shoe store and saw these. That they match the bag Bianca brought you must mean it was fate! I've already packed the bag with a few feminine necessities like soap and pads. Be safe on your journey and take care to wash up often. Remember I love you, miss you and will write you soon.
Love, Mom.
P.S. - Are you and Johanna getting along? She can be a bit snippy but just take it in stride.
P.S.S. - Please talk to your father sometime soon. He's going to make me unplug my phone...'
She remembered Johanna's words and cursed her memory then and there. Ever since she had moved to Sinnoh, she had felt forgotten and unloved. Without a letter or a postcard or a phone call from either of her parents, lies became easier to swallow with each passing day. It wasn't long before she had given up hope for any chance at reuniting.
She tucked the notes safely into the bag and traced her fingers over the stitching where she thought Bianca must have touched it. Even after all that happened, they still thought she had the strength to be the same person she was before. The warmth of the shower was made all the more comforting thanks to the reassurance that she was still in their thoughts. She donned the uniform and fresh change of clothes with a genuine smile, the first break her misery in a long while.
She packed everything into her new bag and carried out the empty boxes to the lab where an assistant took them from her for recycling. She looked around for Professor Rowan when Lucas approached her with a pat on the shoulder.
"Amira, right? The uniform looks great on you! We're colleagues now!"
"Yeah, I guess so…"
"This is for you," he said with an encouraging smile as he handed her the Sinnoh Regional Pokédex.
She was amazed by how different it was. Its design was less sleek and a little bulky. The Unova Pokédex had been similar to a phone with a sliding dual screen. The one she held now was more like a tiny personal computer that flipped open and closed. There were also a number of buttons for attachments and services that she didn't recognize. A strange feeling came over her as she remembered being elated beyond belief the first time she received a Pokédex. Here she was experiencing it all over again but now, she couldn't even so much as muster one happy feeling.
"Thanks." She tried to smile in return but made more of a wince.
"I'm glad you're both getting on well," said Professor Rowan. He seemed to come from nowhere though in truth, he had only been a few feet away. She had been unable to distinguish him from everyone else in the lab wearing a white coat.
"Lucas was responsible for retrieving your packages for you. He tells me it took some lengthy persuasion, but you can trust him to never leave a job undone."
Lucas blushed red and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah well… I just asked nicely is all. I hope everything's accounted for."
She stared at him with a new sense of awe. She had believed him to be a shy and quiet boy before but having heard that he had single-handedly took on her aunt, she wondered what cruelty he was capable of.
"Now Amira," said the Professor as he turned his full attention on her with an enthused smile. "I ask that you go everywhere and meet every kind of Pokémon in this region. I've lived for sixty long years and even now, I still get a thrill. There are countless Pokémon in this world. That means there are just as many thrills waiting for you out there. So go. You have a grand adventure to begin."
As she took her first steps past Sandgem Town and down Route 202, the weight of her decision finally sunk in.
There were no friends taking the steps with her this time around. They were no longer just a call a way. There was no longer a home or family she could return to any time she liked. Sinnoh wasn't her backyard the way Unova was. It was a foreign land with foreign people and she was without a single familiarity.
She ran her fingers over the Poké Ball in her belt for comfort and remembered the very last thing she'd heard Professor Rowan say; "Pokémon are by our side, always."