...Hey guys...

Marina: ...I don't even want to talk to you right now.

I know... I know...

Aaron: Any particular reason you were gone this time?

...More computer malfunctions... A full server wipe out... loosing everything I'd written so far for like the third time...

Marina:...And?

And...and... *Sighs* Okay... I'll admit it... I lost my muse...

Aaron and Marina: YOU. DID. WHAT!

I did... for a long while. I just got so tired of writing the same thing over, and over, and over again, that it just sort of... left... BUT NO WORRIES! A certain little book I got just completely renewed it, and it's not going anywhere this time!

Marina: Good. Now, since YOU were gone so long, you get to do the disclaimer:

That's seems fair, I guess:

Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon! Only the ocs you see in it!

"So, I'm curious. How old are you guys?" Bianca asked on our way to route one.

"I'm thirteen." Indigo shrugged easily, not a missed beat in his step.

"Cool, us too!" Black smiled, giving Indigo a thumbs up.

"What about you, Orange?" I asked her, as everyone was still wrapped up in Indigo's answer. Now the others paid attention. She shrugged, like Indigo had. The next thing she said stopped all of us except herself and Indigo from walking on.

"Same."

They continued walking for about ten seconds, completely obvious, until they realized we weren't next to them anymore and turned around, confused.

"Hey, what are you guys-" Indigo was interrupted by Professor Juniper, Black, Cheren, and Bianca.

"YOU'RE THIRTEEN?" They yelled, shocked, while I just continued to stare, wide eyed and jaw near the ground. Snivy looked at us, confused, while Orange narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"Yes…Why? How old do think I was?" She asked, eyeing us all carefully. No one answered for a while, so I decided to suck it up and try to make a good impression on the people we just met.

"About eleven." Indigo snickered quickly, so Orange elbowed him not too gently in the ribs.

"She gets that a lot." He explained sourly, rubbing his probably bruised ribs. She smiled smugly at her work, before nodding at his statement.

"So, where else have you guys been?" Cheren asked, distracting Indigo from his pain.

"Oh, you see we've been-" The boys distanced themselves a little from us, so Bianca decided to start a new conversation.

"So, Orange, no offense, but… why does it-" From the corner of my eye I noticed Indigo stop shot in his sentence. "-Halloween-" And now they both froze up and stopped walking, which resulted in everyone else stopping too. Indigo sent Orange a wary look, while Orange herself was blank, but there was nothing denying the slight twitch that shook her form. "-Threw up on you?"

The next events happened oh so quickly, I don't think I caught everything.

After Bianca said this, Orange's hand shot downwards, to which Indigo caught it with his own hand quickly. While Orange blinked rapidly, probably trying to figure out what her hand came in contact with, Indigo started swinging their hands back and forth widely.

"-And we are having a good time, right Orange?" He asked, finishing his sentence from before. She blinked once, before nodding, sending him a grateful look. He nodded and smiled back. There was another silence among the group. Indigo noticed our stares quite quickly. "…She's also been told that… a lot… and she doesn't like it much." He explained. I nodded in understanding, feeling a small twinge of envy that when Orange was feeling bad, at least Indigo was there to help her. The others gaped, not knowing what to say.

"So, White, what about you? What's up?" Orange asked, pulling Indigo along which triggered everyone to start walking again. I blinked at her, confused.

"…What about me?" I asked, voicing my confusion.

"What's your life story? I haven't heard much from you, and I'm really curious." I blinked twice at her.

…I've never been asked that question, before…

Actually, I've never really been asked a personal question before- …

I looked down at Snivy nervously, who gave me an encouraging smile, urging me to speak up. Unfortunately, Bianca answered for me.

"Oh, you don't really want to know about White," She waved off. Orange frowned.

"Actually, I do, which is why I asked White and not you." She replied easily, before turning to me, "Sorry about that, you were saying?" I was interrupted again, and both Orange and I twitched in annoyance.

"Why do you want to know about the outcast of the city?" Bianca asked, slightly disgusted. I turned to see Professor Juniper was gone.

"Where's Professor Juniper?" I asked, looking around the group.

"If you weren't so clueless," Black started,

"Or stupid," Cheren added, laughing.

"You would know she went on ahead, she didn't want the other trainers waiting much longer." Black finished, fist bumping with Cheren. Indigo and Orange slowed to a walk, a look of discomfort on their faces.

"Outcast?" Indigo repeated, trying to bring the topic back in.

Oh, great.

Now they're going to know what I am and abandon me, too. I really thought I was starting to make friends with not only them, but with Bianca, Cheren, and Black too! But of course, as soon as Professor Juniper is out of sight…

"Yeah, outcast. Her parents abandoned her five years ago in the city. She's obviously too stupid to have anyone around her to be her friend." Bianca explained, giggling. Snivy protested in my arms, trying to defend me, but was silenced with a quick glare from Cheren's Tepig. I turned away, already used to what happened next.

"And you call her an outcast because of that?" I heard Orange's voice ask lowly.

"Yup. We treat her like one too, because she is one." Black shrugged, saying it like it was the easiest explanation in the world.

"Come on, guys, let's catch up and leave this looser behind, we don't want to be more late to Professor Juniper's orientation." Cheren laughed, before I heard footsteps running away.

There they go…

"Well, it's just me and you now Snivy." I sighed, looking down at him. He stared at me for a second, before smiling and gesturing I look behind me. Turning, I found one of the greatest shocks of my life.

Indigo and Orange were still there!

…Oh. They probably want to get their jabs in too. Everyone does, eventually…

"White." Indigo's voice broke me out of my memories.

"You guys are going to make fun of me before leaving too, right?" I asked, already knowing the answer as I stared at the ground next to my feet.

Shock number two:

"No." My head snapped up as I stared at the two of them.

"…No?" I asked them, but mostly myself, out loud.

"No." Orange repeated, shaking her head.

"…So, you're going to beat me up."

"No." Indigo replied now.

"…No." I frowned, confused. "So…what are you still doing here?" They looked at me like I was crazy.

Not like I haven't gotten those stares before…

"What are we still doing here?" Orange asked, becoming more outraged by the second. Oh, okay, here comes the beat down, right?

"White, those guys just bullied you, and you think we're here to add fuel to the fire?" Indigo asked, shocked.

"Well…yeah." Was my pathetic reply. "...If you heard something shattering right now, I think it was my heart." Orange commented meekly.

"Orange." Indigo sighed, rolling his eyes at her.

"No, I'm serious! That has to be the most depressing thing I've heard in a while."

"True that." Indigo nodded. I raised an eyebrow at them.

"In fact, it's so heartbreaking and depressing, that we're going to have to travel with you now to show you that life is better than that." Orange smiled slyly.

"Mhhmmm, we must show you how awesome and not depressing it can be." Indigo nodded again, the same smile on his face.

Wait... What?

"So... you guys are going to travel with me?"

"No doubt about it." Indigo shrugged.

"And there's nothing you can do about it." Orange shrugged like Indigo. I could feel a small smile form on my lips on their own.

"Oh...Okay." I blinked cluelessly.

"Now come on! We're going to be late!" Orange encouraged, grabbing our wrists and dragging us forward.

"Because I'm sure any of us need a lesson about capturing Pokémon." Indigo sighed, rolling his eyes. I couldn't help but agree with that, I'm sure professor Juniper has told us how to capture a Pokémon about a million times. Pretty soon, we saw a whole group of trainers leaving a clearing up ahead, Professor Juniper standing to the side. She turned to see the four of us approaching.

"Hello again White, Snivy, Indigo, and Orange!" She greeted cheerfully.

"Hello." We nodded back.

"Well, I just finished giving a lecture on capturing Pokémon to the rest of the trainers. I would give you guys the same lecture, but I don't think you need it, seeing as you've probably heard the same lecture five times White. And if you two are going to catch Zoroark, you should already know everything there is to capturing Pokémon, am I right?" Professor Juniper asked knowingly.

"You hit it spot on." Indigo nodded again.

"Good! Now, I've got to get going again, I told the other trainers I'd meet them in Accumula Town soon. I expect to see you there too. Bye!" Professor Juniper smiled once more before hurrying away.

"We'll see you soon!" Orange replied, waving.

"I'm so glad we don't have to listen to a capture lecture." Indigo sighed in relief.

"No kidding." I agreed quietly, nodding as we all watched Professor Juniper speed-walk out of sight.

"Well, we might as well get going. Come on, let's go start an adventure!" Orange cheered, fist in the air.

"Um, guys?" I asked nervously, not walking on like they had. The two of them turned around to me curiously.

"Yeah White?" Indigo asked with the same tone as his look.

"I know this is going to sound cheesy... and when I say cheesy, I mean really cheesy, but... Would you guys mind taking the first step onto route one together? To show that we started this journey together at the same time? Of course, if you don't want to do that, it's fine, but-" They were both suddenly next to me, Orange on my right and Indigo on m left. Both of them held onto my arm, the arm they were next to, and they smiled at me again.

"Ready?" Orange asked. I blinked, but nodded none the less. "Okay! One!"

"Two!" Indigo called from the other side.

"...Three?" I guessed after hearing them go silent.

"Go!" They called out in sync, and all three of us took a step forward.

"That was awesome!" Orange cheered, "Totally not cheesy."

"Well, maybe a little bit," Indigo added, smirking, "But still symbolic." I laughed shortly and smiled.

"You could say that." Snivy nodded in agreement.

"Now we can start our adventure!" Orange declared, pulling us forward. "Come on; let's go see what Pokémon are in the area!" We traveled on-ward in a comfortable silence.

"So, White," Indigo started with a curious tone again, "Are you going to go into gym battles or Pokémon contests?" I blinked twice in confusion.

"Pokémon contests? Here in Unova?" I asked, confused. Orange gasped dramatically.

"They don't have Pokémon contests in Unova? Ooohhhh, some of our coordinator friends back home are gonna be pissed!" She laughed at the end. Indigo and I joined in on the laughter as well. Oh, bite us, Orange has infectious laughter! "Wait, so that means you'll go fighting gym leaders, right?" She asked excitedly. I nodded confidently.

"Momma always liked battles, and she was so strong that it inspired me to battle too. Papa... didn't like battles much... but Momma said he was strong." I smiled sadly in memory. When I registered the silence around me did I realize what I just said. "O-oh, sorry about that," I stuttered in apology. Great, now they'll think I'm a depressed train wreck or something! "I didn't mean t-to bring that up."

"No need for apology," Indigo shrugged nonchalantly, "Trust me, if I could talk about my parents, I think I would all of the time."

"Me too." Orange agreed, nodding and smiling. I couldn't help but be curious.

"Sorry to ask, but... If you could talk about your parents?"

"Oh, uh... well, let's just say we don't have very happy-go-lucky childhoods." Indigo explained, smiling reassuringly.

"The opposite of, actually." Orange added.

"O-oh. Sorry to bring it up then... It must be hard to talk about."

"White, you need to stop apologizing, you did nothing wrong. But as for the other part: yeah, you got that right." Indigo laughed as if this was an inside joke. I nodded once more, making a mental note to work on apologizing.

"But back to the subject," Orange started, "You're going into battling! That's so cool! I know you'll do great, I have a good feeling about you." I flushed at the praise.

"T-thanks Orange." Great, I'm stuttering again.

"No problem White!" She grinned back.

"Oh hey look, I think we're here." Indigo pointed out as we started to see the outlines of buildings. Not a minute later, we were in Accumula town. On our way in, we passed a poke center, to which professor Juniper was standing in front of, looking troubled.

"Professor Juniper?" I asked hesitantly. She shot up, shaken from deep thought.

"White! Snivy! Indigo! Orange! You're all okay!" She exclaimed, smiling in relief. We all shared a look.

"Why wouldn't we be okay?" Indigo asked. Professor Juniper grew troubled again.

"This poke center is filled with the trainers that left before you. They were all defeated by what they claim was a gang, and now their Pokémon are in critical condition. The nurses say that everyone should pull out and make a great recovery...but still..." The professor frowned.

"A gang? I don't think we saw anyone else on the route professor." Orange frowned as well.

"Snivy. Sniv." Snivy agreed, shaking his head.

"That's weird. Black, Bianca, and Cheren said the same too; they came to town a few minutes ago unharmed, thank goodness. I didn't see anything either... This is strange..." Professor Juniper trailed in thought. Suddenly, her Xtransciever when off. She plucked it out of her lab coat with ease. "Hello?"

"Professor Juniper, come quickly! There are strange weather patterns going on in Nuvema town! Citizens are reporting an unknown black object in the center of a storm cloud. Some are even claiming it's a Pokémon!" I recognized the voice to be one of Professor Juniper's assistants.

"What? Are you serious? I'll be there as soon as I can." The professor informed before shutting the Xtransciever. "I have to go guys, I'll see you soon!" She called before running off in the direction she just came from.

"That was odd..." I trailed quietly. "...A black Pokémon in a storm cloud?" Orange, Snivy, and Indigo nodded in agreement as we watched Professor Juniper run out of sight for the second time that day. Suddenly, we started to hear loud voices around us.

"It sounds like it's coming from the plaza!" A citizen not so far away from us exclaimed to the others. We followed him to another large crowd, where we ran into the other three unharmed trainers from Nuvema town. They were at the front of the crowd when Cheren spotted us coming. At first, I thought he was going to shoo us away, but instead-

"Guys, come here a second!" He called, gesturing to stand up front with them. I followed Indigo through the crowd, who was following Orange. We stood next to the other three a minute later, turning to the source of all this commotion. A row of people dressed as knights were standing in the middle of the grassy plaza, a flag on each end of the line. One of the knights in the middle stepped forward and then to the side, letting a man with long green hair and odd robes step through.

"My name is Ghetsis." He started with a deep voice. "I am here representing Team Plasma." From the corner of my eyes, I saw Indigo tense slightly, and Orange clench her fists. I wasn't the only one that noticed, Snivy did too. We shared a confused look, before turning our attention back to the man named Ghetsis. "Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk about Pokémon liberation."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"What'd he say?" These kinds of comments swept through the crowd. Ghetsis waited patiently for the crowd to quiet down, pacing to the other end of the plaza.

"I'm sure most of you believe that we humans and Pokémon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other. However... is that really the truth?" Silence settled into the crowd now. "Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans... only assume this is the truth?" Ghetsis returned to the center of the plaza. "Pokemon are subject to the selfish commands of trainers... They get pushed around when they are our 'partners' at work... Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth to what I'm saying?" He looked directly at our group. "You two, who are watching with such hateful glances, can you say I'm not right?" I realized with a start he was talking to Orange and Indigo, who were still tense as ever. After a still moment, both looked away, silently growling. Ghetsis smirked at this. "See? Even children can sense when things aren't right." Now Ghetsis paced to the opposite side of the plaza, standing almost directly in front of us. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, Pokémon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility towards these wonderful beings called Pokémon?" He returned to the middle of the plaza for the second time, but not before eyeing us for a split second. "We must liberate the Pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon be equals! Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you consider the relationship between people and Pokémon... and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention." And with that, Ghetsis stepped back in line with the knights. The two on the ends of their formation came forward and picked up the flags that were placed, before all of them left the plaza and town in a formation around Ghetsis. After they were gone, the crowd began talking again.

"About that speech... what do you think we should do?" An old man asked from the edge of the crowd.

"Liberate the Pokémon?" A younger man asked from the opposite end, "That's not even possible." With those words, the crowd dispersed.

"...What do you guys think?" Bianca asked warily, frowning upset.

"That man was right from before, liberating all of the Pokémon is virtually impossible." Cheren frowned as well.

"Oh no," Indigo snorted, "Liberating the Pokémon is very possible, especially with the right technology and plans."

"Do you agree with Team Plasma then?" Black asked, tilting his head.

"No way. Their saying to liberate all Pokémon. What if the Pokémon want to stay with their trainers, though? There are so many trainers with strong bonds to Pokémon out there... I don't think liberating them all is the best idea." Indigo explained swiftly.

"But if the Pokémon wanted to stay with their trainers... wouldn't they stay without the poke ball?" Bianca asked, confused.

"N-not in all cases." I started quietly, like normal, "In some situations, the poke ball is the tangible form of the bond between trainer and Pokémon... if the poke ball is destroyed... then that means their partnership would be broken as well..." I tried to explain. Unexpectedly, I didn't get any annoyed snaps back.

"You could see it in that way," Cheren agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "And besides, I don't think we should trust those guys."

"That's true... almost every bad guy organization we've ever learned about was named 'Team' something. I think we should be careful of them." Black added.

"And we should watch out for that gang the other trainers mentioned, the one that wiped them all out... Who would do such a thing, and why for that matter?" Bianca asked, still confused, before shrugging. "Well, we have to get going; we'll see you later guys!" She called before dragging Black and Cheren off.

"Bye." All four of us waved. I looked down at Snivy.

"Snivy?" He looked back up at me. "...Do you want to be liberated?" I asked nervously. What if he said yes? Well, I knew what'd I do, even though it'd hurt me. I would let Snivy go, there's no doubt about that. I would do it, even if it killed me inside. Snivy smiled at me and shook his head.

"Snivy sniv sniv snivy sniv." He explained in poke talk. Although I wasn't fluent in the language, I-

"Your Pokémon..." A new voice interrupted my thoughts. We turned to see a boy our age with long, light green hair in a straight ponytail. He wore a black and white base-ball cap, as well as a white dress shirt with sleeves going to his elbows, the buttons open at the top and bottom. His inner shirt was black, and those sleeves were only a couple more inches longer than the white sleeves. He wore long brown pants, black sneakers, and had a wooden cube on a chain hanging off of a belt hoop. He also wore a black wristband on one arm, and gold, interlinking bangles on the other, a planetary necklace hanging in front of his shirt. "Just now it was saying-" His eyes flickered up to mine and I saw they were a deep sky blue. He paused and I blinked at him. "O-oh, sorry. I should introduce myself first, shouldn't I?" He asked, laughing slightly while rubbing the back of his neck.

"I guess." I laughed lightly along, shrugging. He smiled brightly back.

"Okay then, my name is N... May I ask who you are?" He asked in a slightly nervous tone.

"I-I'm White, and this is Snivy." I replied, raising Snivy up a little in my arms when he was mentioned. "These are my friends, Indigo and Orange." I looked at them when I said their names.

"Yo." Indigo greeted, his hands behind his head in a laid back position.

"What's up?" Orange followed, smiling. N smiled back at them.

"Well, before I go on with what I was saying earlier, I have to ask you all what you thought of the speech earlier by Team Plasma." N explained. The three of us shared a confused look.

"Um...well... I don't think we know what we feel about it yet." I replied. "...It sure was a powerful statement, though." N nodded.

"That's what I thought too. I'm a trainer, but I can't help but find myself agreeing with them. I mean, are Pokémon really happy being captured and used like that?" Well, when you put it that way-

"It depends on which trainer they're caught by, N. Of course, no trainer is really the same, but there are tons of Pokémon trainers who love and care for their Pokémon, and said Pokémon care for them too." Orange stated.

"That's true," N nodded again, "But what about the other trainers?"

"Well, that's why this liberation movement is a double edged sword; it'd help and hurt everyone." Indigo shrugged.

"I see that too." N murmured before looking me straight in the eye. I had a weird, tugging feeling in my gut. "White, when you asked Snivy if he wanted to be liberated, what would you have done if he said he did?" I frowned slightly at the thought.

"...I would let him go to be happy, even if it killed me." I repeated, only out loud this time. Snivy smiled up at me again.

"Snivy sniv snivy. Snivy snivy sniv." He replied reassuringly.

"Thank Snivy." I whispered to him. He nodded back, still smiling. When I looked back at N, his eyes were clouded with what I guessed to be confusion.

"That's what I heard him saying earlier too, something along those lines at least. Right now he just said that he wouldn't leave his friend, so you have nothing to worry about. When did you get Snivy?" N asked curiously.

"Hehe...actually...about an hour ago?" I guessed. If N didn't looked confused before, the emotion was written across his face now.

"An hour ago and yet already such a strong bond..." He murmured again. "...White?"

"Yes N?"

"Would you mind battling me? I want to see how strong your bond is with Snivy." I turned to Snivy.

"What do you think Snivy?" Snivy replied by jumping out of my arms and taking a battle stance in front of me. "I'm taking that as a yes." I laughed lightly.

"White, is this your first battle?" Indigo asked curiously. I nodded, but was determined.

"Woohoo! This is so exciting! GO WHITE!" Orange cheered. "No offense N." She added quickly.

"None taken." He shook his head, smiling, and then turned to me again. "Is this really your first battle?"

"Y-yeah... and you?"

"This is my first battle as well." He smiled back. "Nervous?" He asked, slightly smirking.

"A little." I smiled back, standing a little taller like mom would've when she fought. N smiled again and nodded.

"Me too. Please come out Purrloin!" He called, sending the familiar cat Pokémon out of its poke ball.

"Ready Snivy?" I asked. Snivy only nodded in response.

"Alright, Purrloin, let's start with scratch!" N nodded to his Pokémon.

"Snivy, stop that scratch with a vine whip!" I commanded confidently. Snivy nodded and did as I said, the vine from his attack stopping Purrloin's paw right before it came down on him. "Now... toss!" I smiled. Snivy threw Purrloin in the air with his whip. "Snivy, let go." I frowned in concern. Snivy let go when Purrloin was up high. If I didn't want Purrloin to get really hurt, I would've let Snivy pull Purrloin down to earth. What I seemed to forget, though, is that Purrloin was a cat Pokémon. It turned around in mid-air and took a stance that would let if land harmlessly.

"Purrloin, use scratch on Snivy with your momentum!" N said in response to the situation.

"Snivy, vine whip to stop Purrloin!" I replied. Snivy's vines shot up into the air towards Purrloin.

"Oh no you don't! Cut through them!" N commanded. I waited until the vines were inches away from Purrloin's sharp claws. Snivy shot me a wary, waiting look.

"Spit the vines!" I exclaimed right before Purrloin cut through them. Thankfully, we made it in time, and Snivy's vines were untouched. But now, Purrloin was heading straight for Snivy, and the vines couldn't get in the way, unless- "Now use wrap!" The vines wrapped around Purrloin without missing a beat, stopping the cat Pokémon in midair once more. The good things about this position is that now Purrloin can't get its claws to the vines, and it was also a lower distance to the ground, so I could safely say- "Bring him down!" Snivy smirked and did as told; Purrloin collided with the ground and got up slowly before promptly fainting and falling over to the side. N nodded and returned the fallen Pokémon.

"Thanks Purrloin." Snivy nodded to himself in satisfaction and jumped back into my arms. I turned back to N. "I never expected to hear Pokémon say such things..." He murmured to himself in thought before looking at me. "Are you sure this is your first battle, White?" He asked curiously.

"Pretty sure." I nodded back shyly. N smiled back.

"You fought like a natural. I can see now that you and Snivy are really close, even if you've only been together for a short time." I blushed at the complement.

"Thank you N, you were really connected with your Purrloin too." I replied. He smiled and nodded when something in his pocket started ringing, coincidently just like Professor Juniper, except this time it was just a cell phone. N took one look at the screen before sighing and silencing the phone.

"Unfortunately, I have to go take care of something. I'll be seeing you four soon." N smiled, but there was a hint of annoyance to it.

"How are you sure?" I asked timidly. His smile widened.

"One doesn't just forget about someone like you, White." He said, slightly shaking his head with his eyes closed gently. Blue eyes were staring into my own again. "We'll see each other again; of this, I'm certain. Goodbye White and good luck!" N called while walking away.

"You too N, see you soon!" I called back, waving. I couldn't help but watch him disappear out of sight from the corner of my eye as I faced Orange and Indigo, who had been silent so far. Finally looking at them, I was slightly taken aback by their smiles. "...What?"

"Oh, nothing!" Indigo grinned, looking away.

"And now that you're paying attention instead of staring after N," Orange started teasingly, "I get to do this!" Warmth suddenly enveloped over me, and I registered Orange hugging me, being mindful of Snivy. I blinked in confusion. "Congratulations on winning your first battle White! It was amazing!" She cheered when she let me go. I blinked again before smiling gently.

"Thanks Orange."

"No problem!" She smiled widely. "You deserve it."

"So, White, do you know if there are any gyms in this town, or are we just moving ahead?" Indigo asked, eyeing the town around us.

"Um... I've only been here a couple times a long time ago, so I don't really know... Sorry, Indigo." I frowned. He shrugged in reply.

"No problem, we'll just get our Pokémon gym growlithe to tell us." Indigo said before turning expectantly to Orange. She narrowed her eyes at him in irritation before looking around.

"...There's no gym here." She replied after a minute. I think they could tell Snivy and I were confused by our facial expressions. "... I have a sixth sense for knowing where Pokémon gyms are..." Orange explained briefly.

"It's the weirdest thing," Indigo started, "Even though we don't battle, we'll just walk into a city and 'pop'! She'll know if there's a gym or not. It comes in handy with our trainer friends. We've all come to trust the sense, it hasn't been wrong so far." I nodded.

"Okay. Let's head off to the next city, then. But first, Snivy, do you need to rest up, or are you good to go?" I asked Snivy. He shook his head and gestured to the exit of the city. "Right, let's go." I nodded. We passed through the gate leading to route two.

"Wow." Orange gasped, looked at the screens of the gate as we walked through it. "Everything's so futuristic here."

"You should see some of the other cities. From what I've heard, they're look like they've been taken from fifty years in the future." I commented.

"Cool." Indigo added as we exited. The metal ramp met the grassy ground.

"So, this is route two." Orange looked around our surroundings as we walked.

"It's not much to look at." I frowned.

"Yeah, but it's sure different than Sinnoh." Indigo defended with a dazed smile as we looked around. Pretty soon we saw the outline of buildings again. "...Did we take a shortcut or something?" Indigo asked, confused.

"Nah, this route's relatively slow." I explained.

"How do you know so much about the routes?" Orange asked curiously.

"...My mom and dad would take me all over the region. We usually traveled in the routes, because they had pokedexes they needed to finish, so I don't really remember much of the cities. But I think I know the routes by heart." I explained shyly.

"That's good!" Indigo commented, "We won't get lost anymore. This smart one," He shrugged at Orange, "is a genius with road maps."

"Hey! You're pretty bad with them too!" She defended as we walked into the city. Snivy and I laughed lightly as they began arguing again, like before.

I have to admit... this is a better start than I ever dreamed it would be.

And close! Yes, the end of chapter two, and yet no Gym battles yet! BUT, Team plasma are in, and so is N. It's a start! I'll see you soon!

I am NEVER putting hopefully at these anymore! No way. It will always be See ya soon, because I will! Promise!

Marina: Sure... Okay... Whatever you say...

I'm serious Marina! I'll get through this!

Aaron: Oookkkaayyy, but you'd better be back soon, or we will torment you!

Somehow I don't doubt that...

Marina: Aannndd, working time for Kioku7! Bye everyone!

Aaron: See ya!

They're right, See ya soon!

~Kioku7