Hello guys! I started writing this story a long time ago so already have a few chapters done. Will post two now and wait for your reviews before putting up the rest. Hope you like it!

Chapter 1 - Remembering Part 1

Ari took a deep breath and exhaled into her hands to try and keep her hands warm. The cold of Snowbelle City was something she wasn't used to and she regretted not having packed warmer clothes. If she hadn't left in such a rush after reading the note Professor Sycamore handed her…

When Ari was 4 years old, a babbling but well-humored baby, something that would change her life forever happened. She was at home with her father one cold night in her hometown, Kiloude City. They were playing and waiting for Ari's mother to arrive. Instead, a knock on the door brought with it some horrible news.

Knock Knock.

Ari's father, Thomas, got up to open the door. He had short black spiky hair and wore glasses that were far too big for his face, but he said he liked them and made him look more intelligent. He was American from his mother side and Japanese from his father side. He fell in love with Ari's mother, Sakura, when he came to visit Kalos once and he never returned to the states. Together they created a loving home and had Ari. Ari had long black hair just like her mother, and bright green eyes like her father, which made her an unusual type of beauty for the people of Kalos.

Sakura was a Pokémon trainer, so she always had by her side her most faithful companion, Persian. The lioness- like cat was an excellent protector of the household, having battled many years next to Sakura and gained a lot of experience. She was also Ari's best play-mate and babysitter, always looking out for her when she played around dangerous table corners which she seemed to be so attracted to. Even when Ari was in tears, Persian would cuddle her up and purr and the vibrations of her chest would calm Ari down in seconds.

That night, she was alone with her father and playing with some pokécubes making crazy shapes. She was halfway building a bulbasaur with the body of a dewgong and the tail of a girafarig and laughing about it when she saw her father get up and go see who was at the door.

Cold air came inside the house and some snow got in as Thomas opened the door to let Officer Jenny come inside and closed the door quickly once she was in.

"Good evening Thomas, Ari. I'm so sorry to disturb you at this hour but it's extremely urgent what I have to tell you."

She had a concerned look on her face, and she kept making small looks at Ari and then at Thomas, making him understand that Ari shouldn't be present for this conversation. Thomas turned around with a scared look and picked up Ari, taking her to her room and patting her on the head as he layher on the bed.

"Can you stay here for a couple of minutes sweet heart? Daddy will talk to Officer Jenny and I'll come back right away. I promise."

"Dada, where mommy?" Ari babbled in her baby voice, although being already aware that something wasn't quite right.

He kissed her head and left the room without a word, not closing the door entirely. This was enough for mischievous Ari to get out of bed and walk clumsily until the door. She was curious as to why this lady was here instead of her mom. She leaned against the door and tried to listen in to the conversation, but they were talking very low so she had to make a big effort to listen to everything.

"I came as soon as the station called. They don't know what happened to her, just that she disappeared from the spot she was keeping watch on. No witnesses as usual, no traces or clues as to what or who could have done this."

Officer Jenny looked equally scared giving the news even though she was trying not to let it show. Ari was always a sensitive baby and could always understand emotions very well around her, so her heartbeat was accelerating almost as much as Officer Jenny's should be right now.

"I told her it wasn't a good idea for her to go!" Thomas started pacing in front of Officer Jenny. "I knew it was dangerous, I told her to put those days behind her! What am I going to tell Ari now? How are we going to find her??"

"We are doing everything we can… we have Arcanine patrols controlling the areas and we have eyes on the air too with the Pidgeot patrol. This weather isn't making things easy for them that's for sure… But we will find her Thomas I promise you… Besides, she has Persian with her. I'm sure she will do everything to protect her."

"You don't think it could be…" Thomas lowered his voice so much Ari couldn't hear. Officer Jenny replied with a shrug and put her hand on her mouth to cover a hiccup as she tried to hold her tears in.

"I hope not… After going after them for so many years I don't want to think what they would do to her if they caught her… But we have to stay positive. For Ari and for Sakura. I promise to come back as soon as we get a breakthrough. Good night Thomas… And I'm sorry…"

Thomas thanked her and she went out into the snow and cold weather, the door closing with a small click. Ari saw her father stood staring at the door taking the news in. As if it was all a dream and if he opened the door Sakura would be there in front of him. He slowly turned around after a while and Ari ran to her bed and hid herself under the covers.

He walked inside the room and sat on the end of the bed. His voice was trembling when he spoke.

"Ari… Mama isn't coming tonight… She had a problem at work and she will be away for some days. You understandwhat Daddy is saying?"

Ari resurfaced from the covers, feeling the tears coming to her eyes as she felt the pain her father was feeling at this moment too, and she flew into his arms. They held each other in a tight hug and Thomas knew that his daughter understood what was happening and he was thankful that she was intuitive so that he wouldn't have to say the words out loud that hurt him so.

Ari's mother never returned. They never found her. As Ari grew up, she swore that when she came of age, she would find out the truth about what happened to her mother. When she turned 14 and got her first pokémon, she would go out and do everything she could to find her mother and bring her back home.

While growing up, the subject kind of became taboo between Ari and Thomas. She never dared to ask him because every time she could feel the pain and sadness he was feeling whenever he remembered her. Officer Jenny would still come around occasionally but unfortunately never with any news, but she wanted to check up on how they were doing as she had always been a close friend to their family.

Ari never got many answers from Officer Jenny, and it seemed everyone wanted to keep her safe and the less she knew the better. What they should know by now is that Ari had inherited her mother's stubbornness and curiosity, so she wouldn't give up.

The day she got her partner, was the day Ari got more answers than she ever hoped to find.