I learnt that the one who helped my was Amy and her friend was Sarah. Amy didn't want to be a trainer, but one who raised Pokémon and would release them into the wild or give them to trainers. That meant if I was well enough, she was going to send me back to the wild.

That was a large relief for me, but her Cubone seemed to like helping me to walk on the way. He did seem to trust his trainer or whatever she was.

We arrived at the Poké Center in Goldenrod City where I taken to be healed. Being in one of the places before, I trusted the nurses better, but it wasn't much. I knew I was in better hands than I'll ever be, so I merely savored it, knowing that I was going to return to surviving my own.

In the waiting room, the four friends were sitting, waiting for the news of the injured Pokémon. When Nurse Joy came back out, the quartet, especially Amy, leapt to the their feet. The kind nurse gave a faint smile with relief. "Lucario is going to be fine. In a few short minutes, he will be able to walk again, but," she frowned with concern, "we did notice some scarring, but nothing major. You said that you found him?"

"Yes," Amy answered, earning the nurse's attention. "There was no one around that we knew of and couldn't waste time to get him here."

The pink-haired nurse nodded. "Understood." She then bowed her head as she closed her eyes sadly. "I fear that this Pokémon was abused by its former trainer."

They all leaped back in horror, but Amy shook her head with disgust. "I was afraid you were going to say that," she coldly stated. It made her blood boil at the very thought. How could any one torment a Pokémon? It was completely against humanity! They aren't there to win you badges. They were there as your friend and companion. She looked down at Cubone who stood close to her leg, remembering when she first met the little guy from a professor, who couldn't take care of the lonely creature anymore due to retirement. That was a year ago. She looked back at the nurse. "Can I take Lucario in?" She asked. "I only have three, and he really needs someone."

Nurse Joy nodded with a smile. "I see no problem with it. After all, you did help him- I'll go check on him right now." With that, she walked out.

"So what are you going to do with a Pokémon who has trust issues?" Sarah asked.

Amy looked at her with a small smile. "Work with him." She then knelt down to Cubone. "I'm going to be paying more attention to Lucario for a little while, okay?"

He nodded in understanding.

She rubbed his skull with a smile. "That's my pal."

Over the past five years from when she got her first Pokémon, she would raise them as her own, then pass them to young kids to learn about the friendship of Pokémon. She didn't do to abandon them, but to give them and the kids a happy life. The professor thought that it was a kind thing that she would do by letting her Pokémon teach and bond with new and young trainers. It was only a year ago when the same professor came to her and wanted her to keep and train this Cubone. Agreeing, she took the Cubone and the two were inseparable ever since. Over the year, she went out with Cubone to find more Pokémon, only catching two as her goal was not to be a trainer, but would train them to make them stronger. Five months ago her Luxio evolved to Luxray and two months before that, Starvia into Staraptor, starting with Starly. However, Cubone just didn't evolve yet, but she continued to train him and he was getting stronger.

"Here he is," the nurse happily announced as I was following her out. That's when I noticed the young girl raise to her feet. "Good as new." She stepped aside to allow me, a strong and independent Pokémon, through.

I walked up to the young girl with a completely healed ankle as I gave a dip of the head in gratitude. It was the least I could do after what she did for me.

"You're coming with me, okay?" She gently said, wanting to make sure the I knew. "I don't want you to get hurt again."

I just studied her, pondering by what she meant.

Cubone gave a small cheer, drawing my attention.

I felt Amy's aura and it was gentle and caring. There was no deceit to be sensed anywhere.

I looked back at her and nodded, feeling weaker by the moment.

She drew a hand forth as truce, I just stared at her hand, then looked her in the eyes and they were light, as if they were saying that "I won't hurt you", while mine was saying "I don't trust you." Accepting my gaze, she lowered her hand, then looked at Cubone. "You're going into your Pokéball while I work with Lucario, okay?"

Her little pal nodded.

Taking out his ball, she called him back, then looked at her friend with a smile. "Ready?"

Sarah nodded, returning the smile. "Ready."

After thanking the nurse, we went on our way as I was hoping that I was going to have a chance to leave soon.

While Sarah wanted to do some shopping while we were at the large city since there was no rush as Amy wanted to go to Lake of Rage for some reason- I didn't listen to that part- Amy would try to connect with me, but I was still uncertain about everything. We were sitting on the bench in front of a fountain as Amy was trying to think of something to say, knowing that we Lucarios have a very good understanding in human language. I have to admit, she is quite knowledgeable about Pokémon.

"I know that you had a trainer that was very mean to you," she began, looking at the Pokémon beside her, who not just sitting there with his legs crossed, looking straight ahead, listening to her words. "But you can trust me. I'm not going to-"

I looked away in anger.

So, she knew my little secret. How wonderful is that. Now I'll get her pathetic sympathy. Perfect.

"I'm not saying you have to trust me now. I'm just saying that you can when you're ready."

When I didn't even move, she slowly drew a hand to my thin shoulder, but I immediately backed away, growling at her with fear and anger in my narrowed eyes.

How dare she try to get closer to me when she knew that I did not want to trust her. I didn't even want to be here! I wanted to live my own life in freedom!

Accepting my warning, she withdrew her hand.

I was mildly surprised by her reaction, slowly relaxing into my previous state.

"There you are!" A cheerful Sarah called as she approached with a bag in her hand and a happy Flareon trotting at her side. "I found some great stuff there! Can we get a hotel here?" Her green eyes were beaming.

Amy shrugged. "Sure. I don't see a problem."

Her friend cheered as Flareon smiled, waging her tail.

I was just disappointed.

Getting the same room, but separate beds, the two friends were getting ready to turn in for the night as Flareon curled up on his trainers bed like a happy puppy as I took the floor. Don't get me wrong, I've seen Pokémon happy and carefree with their trainers, but for me, my trust disappeared and the only thing I have left is my pride. I am no longer jealous of the lucky ones. I have no one to listen to.

Amy arched an eyebrow at my decision. "You sure?"

I just rolled over with my back to her.

"You could have the couch if you want."

Ignored.

Shrugging, she laid back in bed and turned off her lamp, creating complete darkness in the room.

Seeing that I did not have to sleep on the floor, I decided to take the couch and flopped on it. Funny how my trainer didn't even give me that.