Well here we go again. I really like this story, and I love Pokemon! :D Anyway, here we go again. This chapter will be pretty sad probably, but it sets chapters in the future, so it's needed. Anyway, we'll try and get this up and going soon.

I hope you guys can put up with me for a while with this one. :P I'm pretty sure my fascination with dark type Pokemon began with Darkrai. Everything was cool about him, from the music in the movie when he appears, to the look of the Pokemon. The Pokemon Movie "The Rise of Darkrai" was the movie that made me re interested in Pokemon when I began to think it was childish. Because Darkrai was freaking cool. xD

I smiled to myself. I was going to surprise Lucy soon. It had been a few months at least. I had hated humans before, but I was a naturally happy and gentle creature, though I had thought for a while that I had to act differently. Lucy had showed me so much kindness, and I had to admit that I had become the tame little pet that I hadn't wanted to. I would do anything for her, and I was getting more used to people. It was amazing how much a little kindness could change my perspective in such little time! I would put with humans for the rest of my life as long as Lucy showed me that same kindness she had. So after all she had done for me I had decided to surprise her. It wasn't anything too big, but I wanted to show her that I could.

I had noticed that some of the Pokemon that came with Trainers could be understood by humans, and I thought that would be great. I asked one of them how they did it. Naturally they explained to me, and I listened very attentively. It was a Lucario, who made it very clear to me that I had to be very careful with what I said. It was a little complicated, but I would slowly learn it if I kept at it. I wanted to be able to talk to Lucy, to tell her how much I cared, and that she meant everything to me. Because she was so different, and because she had shown me another life I could lead that was as good as the one I had before. It was her birthday tomorrow. She was turning ten. And this was as good a present as any I could give her.

It was a little hard to tell, because teaching myself to talk where she could hear me was getting pretty difficult, but I was willing to try it. I wanted to make her smile, and I knew that this would do it. It would be great to know that she could understand me. And I'd heard of other young Zorua learning to do the same. I felt like I had finally mastered the trick, and I was ready to show Lucy. I'd surprise her, and I was waiting for her to get home from going to see Oak like she had been for a while.

I heard her coming up the stairs, and I jumped up with a smile. But then she opened the door, and I froze. She had tears in her eyes, and she looked like she had been running for a while. I could see so much pain in her eyes, and I suddenly remembered before she even said anything. Grandpa! She looked at me and ran over to me, falling to her knees and scooping me up into a hug. She started sobbing and nearly crushed me to my chest. I was too upset and too dumbfounded to try and say anything.

"Zero," she said. "He's gone! He said he didn't feel well. And he went to the Pokecenter yesterday for some treatment, but then I went there and..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but she didn't have to. I knew exactly what had happened. How could I have forgotten something like that? I somehow managed to squeeze myself even closer to her side and nuzzled her face as comfortingly as I could. I knew it could do little right now, but more than ever I knew I had to impress upon her that she was not alone, and I had not forgotten about her. She squeezed me still harder and sobbed more.

"Lucy," I said quietly. I wasn't sure if I was talking out loud or not, but she didn't seem to hear me either way.

There was the sound of more people running up the stairs, and I looked up at them sadly. One was Oak, and another was Sam. They both froze as they saw Lucy and then they grew a little sad too. Oak walked over and laid his hand on her shoulder, and Sam stood looking sad in the doorway. She didn't look up at them, and just continued to sob into my head. I cool feel her tears soaking through my fur. But I wasn't complaining. And I wasn't going to tell her to stop it. She needed something. Anything familiar. We all do when our world is turned upside down.

"Lucy," Oak said. "Now darling, now's not the time for this. Come on. Let's go to my Lab. There you can calm down and have a good dinner, alright? Let Zero go and-"

"No," She suddenly screamed, terrified. I was surprised. I'd never seen her freak out like this before. She turned me away from Oak and looked up at him, as if he would take me away from her. "No don't make me leave him. I don't want to be alone!"

She started sobbing again. I looked at her sadly. She really was taking this hard. I could tell why though. Grandpa was the one who had raised her. Her parents were no where around, and her older brother was off somewhere on an adventure. I was the only friend she felt like she had right now. I licked her face, tasting the salty tears. It wasn't a good taste at all, and very bitter. But it seemed to calm her a little.

"You don't have to leave him," Oak assured her calmly. "He's coming with us. You know that. He's not going to leave you. But you're going to hurt him if you keep hanging onto him like that."

Lucy froze then and let go of me, as if terrified that she had hurt me. I landed in her lap and leaped up onto her shoulder, standing there and balancing on it. Then I licked her face again and rubbed my cheek into her tear stained face. She started petting me almost immediately. It was a familiar motion for both of us, and a soothing feeling for her, feeling my soft fur. She seemed to calm down a little bit then. Even if I wasn't trying to talk right now, I was making it very clear that I wasn't going to leave her. Oak smiled at her patiently.

"See?" he said. "He knows you're upset, and he knows why I bet. He's not going to leave you. Now please, come with me to my Lab. We'll get everything straightened out, and you should get some rest. Alright?"

At last she nodded, and she was quiet, though I could still feel the sobs wracking through her body. She was trying hard to be brave, but she was too sad to be very brave. She just sadly walked after Oak as he turned and began to walk to his lab. I sat dutifully on her shoulder, making a soft purring noise to her, to tell her that I was here. Sam followed us sadly, not saying anything at all.

Outside, there were many people gathered. They were people from the town, and people from other regions as well, many that I assumed were Grandpa's friends, old and young alike. They watched Lucy sadly as she went along, and she stared at the ground and wouldn't look up at anyone. I didn't try to talk to any Pokemon as she walked away with me on her shoulder, and they just watched me, both a little proud and a little sad. I just nestled closer to Lucy's neck.

It began to rain. As if the sky was crying. Odd, how sometimes coincidences work like that. I didn't mind though, and Lucy didn't seem to be noticing much of anything. Soon we went inside the Lab, where Oak asked Sam to take Lucy to a room he had upstairs where he lived, a room that had once belonged to his grandson. She sat down on the bed, and I leaped down into her lap, purring at her and rubbing my cheek into her, to wake her from her disbelieving daze. She didn't seem to notice me, and brushed me from her lap as she curled up in a ball and hid her face. Sam looked at her a moment, seeming sad, but unsure what to say.

"L-Lucy?" he asked. "They said it was fast okay? He didn't feel it. And the funeral's going to be soon. Then they're going to give away his Pokemon, and he left a few things to you in his will. Don't you want to see what they are?" There was no response, though he waited a while to see if she would respond. Then he sighed. "Alright well, I'll go get Oak. We'll bring you something to eat alright?"

There was no response. She was silent. I was worried and a little afraid. I'd never seen her act that way. She was always happy and smiling. She was always laughing and getting a little bit into trouble. I knew that she would take this hard, but not this hard. I nudged her with my nose as Sam left the room and closed the door. She didn't even look at me. I got a little bit angry with her then. Yes, Grandpa was gone, and that hurt both of us. But she needed to be strong and get over this. He wouldn't want to see her moping like this.

"Hey," I said, nudging her again. "Stop it. You're really just going to sit there like this? Is this how Grandpa raised you? To give up?"

"Go away," she said quietly.

"No way," I replied with a little growl. "I'm staying right here until I knock some sense into you. This isn't the Lucy I know."

"I don't want to talk to you," she cried. "Go away!" I paused a moment, so she could hear me. I was talking in her language. Good. I needed her to understand.

"Listen," I said. "And you better listen, because I'm not afraid to bite you if it'll get you to quit mopping. You said you wanted to go on an adventure. Well you're turning ten tomorrow, and then it's time to go right? Grandpa would want you to go on your journey and have fun, not sit here and do nothing. How's that staying true to his memory? Your dad's a Scientist and your mom's a Pokemon Ranger. They're out there doing what they love, but if you never leave home, how will you know what you love to do? I didn't become tame just to watch you back out. Get some courage girl. I didn't survive this long by being weak."

"I said go away," She said. She was hearing, but she wasn't listening to me.

I growled a little. She sure could be stubborn. I sank my teeth into her arm. I didn't bite her hard, but it had the desired effect. She shook me off and I landed on the floor. I looked up at her, and she grabbed her arm. She looked down at me, looking angry. I couldn't help but cringe away. The others had hit me when they looked at me like that. She paused when she looked at me, looking confused, and so I continued, straightening up again.

"I'm not going anywhere," I repeated. "So stop this. I'm not leaving you, so it's not like you're alone. You're my partner aren't you? You can't bottle this up and not look at anyone. You were starting to do that. I could tell. You can't close your world off. I know you better than that. So get up." She stared at me a moment.

"Zero?" She asked. "You can talk?" I looked away.

"Yeah," I replied. "I wanted to be able to talk to you. To tell you how much you mean to me, and that...that I'm okay being a Trainer's Pokemon if I'm with you. I was going to surprise you with it. Tomorrow's your birthday after all. I wanted to give you a present."

I felt her pick me up again, and she hugged me, the same gentle hug as always. I looked up at her, and found that there was a smile on her face again. She still looked sad, but no where nearly as sad as she had once been. I purred and rubbed my face along hers, brushing away the tears with my fur.

"Thank you," she said. "I should have known. You're my best friend Zero. That's a wonderful present, and the best one I've ever gotten. I'm sorry to have worried you. And everyone else. Come on. Let's go show them I'm fine. I'd rather be doing something anyway than sitting up here. But did you have to bite me? That hurt."

"Sorry," I said. "But it worked didn't it?"

"I guess," she said with a little laugh. Much better. "Sometimes I need to get bit a little to remind me what I need to do."

I smiled a little and then leaped up to sit on her shoulder again, rubbing my face along hers and purring again to her. She leaned her head into me for a moment, feeling my fur against her face. Then she wiped away the last of the tears and smiled, standing again. She turned and ran downstairs. She found Oak standing there and talking with Sam. They both paused and looked up when they saw her.

"Sorry for worrying you," she said. "I'm better now. I just needed a little pep talk."

"That's great," Sam said, but he looked perplexed. "But who was talking to you?" She smiled and scratched me under the chin, and I laughed a little.

"Zero of course," she said with a laugh. "Don't worry. I'm not crazy. Say hi Zero."

"Hi," I said. That was stupid, but I was too happy to care. Oak smiled brightly and Sam seemed very impressed.

"Whoa," he said. "Zero you can talk? That's awesome! When did you learn to do that?"

"It's a difficult process," Oak explained. "It probably took him months. But I'm glad he can talk. It seems to have done wonders for you Lucy."

"That's why he's my best friend," she said with that characteristic giggle of hers. "So is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to be sitting in here mopping all day. Oh and can we bandage this up? Zero's pep talk needed a little force too."

"I see," Oak said with a laugh. "Yes, I'll see what I can find for you to help with, and I'll help you bandage that up. In the meantime, can you go get Sarah for me like I asked Sam?"

"I'm on it," Sam replied with a smile, running out the door. I looked after him.

"He sure seems full of energy," I said.

"He's always like that," Lucy replied with a laugh.

"Well," Oak said. "Glad to see that you're in a better mood. Now let's see that arm of yours."

I watched as Oak took her hand very gently and began to look at the wound. He didn't seem upset with me at all that I had bitten her. I felt a little guilty about it, but no one seemed to hold a grudge against me for it, so I guessed it was alright. Oak quickly bandaged it, and I shifted my weight a little so I wouldn't fall off her shoulder as she moved her arm. She didn't seem to notice the movement much. Oak smiled at her.

"So let's see," he said. "You seem willing to work. What can I have you do?" he thought a moment. "I know. We need to move some of the Pokemon out of the rain. Some don't like it much you see. So do you think you can do that? Just be careful because some of them don't like people much."

"Yeah we can do that," Lucy replied almost instantly. "We can handle that right?"

"Sure can," I said with a smile. As long as she was happy, I was willing to let her take me anywhere.

She just smiled and ran out through the back door to where all the Pokemon were chilling out. As we were going along, I began to notice how large and vicious some of those Pokemon looked. I certainly wasn't ready to face some of them. But most of them were perfectly happy to come when Lucy called so long as they got out of the rain. Others smiled and leaped off into the rain, enjoying the beautiful day. I just sighed and shook my head. Whatever floats their boat. I would rather not get my fur wet but water types were just weird that way.

As we were running around together through the rain however, I noticed that some of the Pokemon weren't coming out. They looked terrified of Lucy and were trying to hide. One was a very small Charmander that really should be out of the rain. If his tail got wet he was going to die. I sighed and leaped cleanly off of Lucy's shoulder, and looked up at her.

"I'm going to get these Pokemon over here," I told her. "I'll be right back."

"Okay," she said. "Just don't bite off more than you can chew."

"I know," I told her with a smile.

I took off running towards the Pokemon that were trying hide themselves out of sight. I paused outside of the little cluster. I looked at all of them, and they looked at me for a while. Some of them seemed to be interested in me. Others seemed scared. And a few others seemed to be wild. I sighed. This was just great. But I guessed that I had little choice but to try and convince them to go inside the pens.

"Listen," I said. "I know you don't like humans, or don't seem to like them. But you can't just sit out here in the rain unless you're a water type. Go inside where it's dry. Oak's not a bad person, and he's pretty good telling what we want. He's not dumb like other humans. So go inside and get some food. There's nothing wrong with eating to survive right?"

That seemed to get some grumbling from other Pokemon, but most of them seemed to get that it wasn't all that bad at last. Besides, they didn't want to be stuck out in the rain without any other shelter. They one by one began to leave. I turned my eyes again to the Charmander. He just sat there with his tail under a bush, shuddering and looking at me ruefully.

"I don't want to go," he said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I don't like humans."

I sighed. That much seemed obvious. He was wringing his tiny little hands together. I walked over and sat down by the other side of the bush so the rain wouldn't get into the bush as much and wet his tail, since it was blowing in from this side. I looked at him.

"Why do you not like them?" I asked.

"W-Well," he said. "I used to have a trainer. But then some Team Rocket goons beat him and stole me from him. They weren't very nice to me. Then they were disbanded and I was released and I ended up here. I just don't like them." I sighed. So he wasn't that much different than me.

"Listen," I said. "That's the wrong attitude. You had a trainer, so you know that they're not all bad. Besides, I was abused too, and I love my Trainer. I'd do anything for her. So don't you think your Trainer is beating himself up about this whole thing? Don't you think he'll want to find you? He probably thinks you're dead or he'll never see you again. Don't you want to see him again? How old was he anyway?"

"He was eight," the Charmander replied, somewhat confused.

"And how long has it been?" I asked.

"Two years," he said. "Why?"

"So don't you think he'll be coming to get a Pokemon for his journey too?" I asked. "Maybe he'll show up soon. Don't you think?"

That seemed to make the young Charmander considerably happier. He smiled, and his eyes seemed to light up. His tail burned brighter even though rain was hitting it, and I was sure that blaze wasn't going to go out any time soon. I couldn't help but feel happy for him, even though the blaze burned me a little. I jumped away with a yelp.

"Oh sorry," he said. "That's why my Trainer called me Blaze."

I nodded, telling him that it was alright with a small smile. I certainly could understand why he would be called that. I looked towards the Lab again, and luckily for us Lucy was coming with an umbrella, so we could walk without getting Blaze's tail wet. He smiled up at her when she came and knelt down. She smiled back at us.

"Did you make a friend Zero?" she asked.

"Sort of," I replied. "Can you take him inside? I'm going to see if there are anymore Pokemon hiding around. I'll come inside in a while."

"Alright," she said, scooping up the happy little Charmander who was oblivious to the fact that she could hear me. "But be careful."

I nodded and watched her walk off a bit. I couldn't help but smile a little. I liked that feeling. I wanted to help other people and Pokemon, but especially those that had gone through the same thing as I had. I wanted to help out, and grow stronger. I didn't want anyone to feel lonely like I had. I supposed that I would do that on our journey as well. As long as I was with Lucy I could do anything.

I turned then, much happier, to look around. I couldn't see anymore Pokemon hiding around here, but that didn't mean there weren't any. I trotted happily through the back lot, which was really quite large. I saw Water Pokemon who laughed and splashed at me even though I was already soaked. I gave them a smile, but walked on more. I soon found myself in a sort of forested area, though it wasn't really a forest. I looked around, but I couldn't see anyone. I supposed we had gotten the all inside, and was about to turn around and leave. But then I heard a high and clear voice.

"Yes yes," a female voice said. "I'm looking, but I just don't see him anywhere! Hm, maybe he's still on the island? No? Lugia checked there? Well where is he?"

"Um," I said, confused and surprised at hearing about the Legendary Pokemon Lugia. "Hello?"

"What?" the voice asked. "Oh someone's there. I'll ask them...Of course it'll be fine! Aaaww, it's a little Zorua. Hi there little one!"

I looked around, completely confused. But suddenly there was an excited little blur of green and a tiny little Pokemon had scooped me into a hug. I looked up and gasped, finding myself looking at a Celebi. A Legendary Pokemon here? I didn't understand that at all! She just giggled and produced a berry out of no where and popped it in my mouth. She just giggled.

"Hi," she said. "I'm Celebi...What I'm just being polite! Anyway, don't mind Dialga. He's just mad because we can't find Darkrai. We need him for a meeting because you see...Oh right sorry! I can't tell you that. But anyway, we're looking for Darkrai. Have you seen a big scary Dark Type around here?"

I blinked, surprised. I had never expected to run into a Celebi here. And she was talking to Dialga? I was confused, but I realized I must look stupid with a berry sticking out of my mouth. I quickly ate it, deciding that it was better to eat it and not look rude. I quickly swallowed and looked at her, confused and unsure what to say.

"Sorry," I said. "I just didn't expect to meet a Legendary Pokemon."

"Oh that's alright," she said with a giggle. "You're just so cute! I can't wait until you grow up! I want to see you then too! Here have another berry." She then popped yet another berry into my mouth. I was confused but ate it too, blinking. She seemed rather happy.

"So um," I said nervously. "You're looking for...Darkrai?"

"Oh yes that's right," she cried. "Have you seen him? It's really important! We need to...oh right sorry Dialga! I can't tell you, but you have to keep everything I said a secret okay?"

"U-Um," I said, confused and feeling stupid. "Can I tell my Trainer?"

"Oh of course," she said. "Pokemon tell their Trainers everything they know, at least the ones they can talk. But keep it a secret okay? Oh right! Darkrai, have you see Darkrai?"

"U-Um," I said "I'll keep your secret and Lucy will too. But I've never seen a Darkrai before in my life."

"Ah, that's okay," she said with a smile. "I guess he's not here then. We'll have to keep looking. Sorry places to be and things to do. Keep being cute until you grow up big and strong! Here have another berry. Bye!"

She shoved one last berry into my mouth and then zoomed away, the whole time talking to Dialga who I hadn't heard or seen. I was kind of glad. I didn't want to run into a Legendary Pokemon that was that massive. I quickly ate the berry, unsure what else to do, and then ran back inside as fast as I could, hoping to not have anymore strange encounters. Inside I shook off, very confused. At least Celebi had been a very happy Pokemon.

"Zero?" I heard Lucy call. "Is that you?"

I looked towards her voice. I supposed I'd better keep my promise and keep that secret, whatever that meant. I would tell her later I guessed, but only when I got her alone long enough. And I was too shook up to tell her now. I ran towards her though and leaped onto her shoulder, purring and rubbing my face into her neck. She laughed and petted me.

"What's gotten into you?" she asked. "Come on, Professor Oak's waiting."

She patted me a moment more and then walked towards the room where Oak was waiting. We paused a moment though, because there was a boy there. He looked sad and nervous, and rather timid. He had freckles on his face and green eyes, and his hair was short and blonde. A woman that I assumed was his mother was standing there and holding his shoulder.

"Please," she said. "Do you have a Pokemon for my son? Anything will do! I just want him to go on a journey!"

"I don't want to mom," he said.

"Well," Oak said, "I don't have any starters right now. It's an odd request. Why do you not want to go on a journey though?"

"I lost my other Pokemon," he said sadly. "I was too weak to do anything!"

"It was Team Rocket," his mother cried. "How were you supposed to be able to defeat them?"

I froze, looking at the boy. Losing a Pokemon to Team Rocket? Could it be Blaze? Could there be that many strange coincidences in one day? Was that even possible? I was willing to give it a try though. I leaped off of Lucy's shoulder and ran forward. Lucy called after me in surprise. The boy and his mother looked at me.

"Oh?" Oak asked. "What is it Zero?"

"Hey," I called up at the boy. He and his mother were surprised, but I didn't pause. "Did you lose a Charmander to Team Rocket? There's one here called Blaze, and his tail lights up in this huge fire when he gets happy."

I was sure that this hit right on the money. The boy gasped, and tears appeared in his eyes. The mother looked at me a moment, then up at Oak in surprise. The boy just continued to stare at me.

"Is that true?" she asked, hopeful.

"Well there's certainly a Charmander here that was dropped off by police," Oak said. "But Zero seems to think he's the one, and Zero can talk to humans and Pokemon. Lucy, can you go and get that Charmander for us?"

"Sure," Lucy said, somewhat perplexed.

She left the room, and the boy just continued to stare at me. He knelt and reached out, beginning to pet me. I let him without a complaint. I would let humans pet me, though I didn't purr to them as much, if at all, as I did to Lucy. She was my best friend though. The boy just pet me very gently, and I smiled up at him. The mother looked at me a moment.

"Zero you said?" she asked.

"Yes," Oak said. "From what I know, he was taken from his home in Unova and abused. However his Trainer, the girl Lucy you just saw, has done wonders with him, and he's quiet tame. He taught himself to talk recently as well. She's turning ten tomorrow and he'll be her partner for the journey. Since you'll be starting today, she'll be a little behind, but it's always good to have some healthy rivalry on the road."

"Here he is," Lucy called.

Lucy brought a very confused Blaze into the room, who then froze when he saw the boy. But a huge smile spread across his face when he looked at me, and his tail blazed even brighter than it had been before. He came charging across the room into the boy's arms, and I barely had time to dodge. I leaped back up onto Lucy's shoulder and watched with a smile. This felt great.

"Mark," Blaze cried.

"Oh," I said. "So you're name's Mark."

"H-How'd you know that?" the boy asked.

"That's what Blaze just called you," I told him with a smile.

The boy looked down with disbelief in his eyes. I could understand why. How on earth was something like this even possible? But then he finally realized that his partner was back to stay. He started crying and hugged the little Charmander even tighter, and the blaze on his tail grew bigger. He looked up at Lucy and me then, and his mother only smiled.

"So you're Lucy?" he asked.

"That's me," Lucy replied with a smile, stroking my chin. I purred and leaned into her hand. "And this is my partner Zero. We're leaving tomorrow for our journey!"

"My names Mark," the boy said with a smile. "And you've met Blaze. You know...your Pokemon's pretty cool. You think we can be friends?"

"Definitely," Lucy said with a smile. "Are you and Blaze going on your journey?"

"Yeah," Mark said with a huge smile. He seemed way more confident. "We're leaving today. So we'll be ahead of you. Don't keep us waiting okay? It's because of you two that we're back together. We'll have to thank you properly with a battle later. Mom, I'm going to get going soon, after the rain ends."

"Have fun," she said with a smile and tears in her eyes. "And remember, your Pokemon and you are there for each other. So don't be afraid to battle."

"I won't," Mark said with a smile.

"Now that that's settled," Oak said with a smile. "Lucy it's time you and Zero went home. I've got to introduce you to someone, and you two should get some rest for tomorrow. Everything's going to be fine, so let's go. It'll be fine."

"Okay," Lucy said, though kind of perplexed.

She turned and followed Oak out of the house. The rain was still falling, but she picked up the umbrella and held it over us, so I was glad that I wasn't getting wet anymore. Oak walked without an umbrella, and he led us with a cheerful whistle back towards our old house. I wasn't sure how Lucy was going to take that. After all, she had just lost her Grandpa. Sure enough she started to get sad again. The group was still outside, talking quietly about the Pokemon that had been left to them in the will. They looked up at Lucy, pausing. This was making her sad as well to see them all leaving. I growled at her in annoyance.

"Don't start that again," I said. This of course surprised the Trainers and the Pokemon, most of whom didn't know I had taught myself to talk.

"I-I'm sorry Zero," she said. "I just feel so lonely."

"And what am I?" I asked. "Aren't I right here? I can even talk to you, so it's not like you're going to be alone, got it?"

"Yeah," she said, managing a small smile. "I know. Sorry Zero."

She paused a moment, looking at all of the Trainers and the Pokemon that she had grown up with. She seemed sad, but she wasn't too sad. She was being strong now. I knew that she was going to be lonely for a while, but she would be okay. I was here for her, so she would never really be alone. And when she was out on her journey she would meet many more people and Pokemon, and she would grow and get strong. She would be fine. I smiled at her, and she managed a smile back.

"Take care everyone," she said. "I'm going to be leaving soon, so we might meet again. And when we do Zero and I will be stronger, maybe even strong enough to beat some of you!"

The Trainers and the Pokemon all smiled and nodded, glad to see she wasn't so sad now. The older Pokemon that I had grown to know while I was here were all smiling at me, pride in their eyes. Yes, this was goodbye, but only for now. Strange things tended to happen, so who knew? Maybe we would meet again and get to battle. We were sad now, but our lives were ahead of us. Why be sad now? We had so much to do! Lucy finally seemed to realize this as well, and her shoulders straightened a little with excitement. Some excitement was in her eyes again.

A young man stepped forward. He was smiling at us. He had somewhat wild and white hair, and his eyes were golden. It was a bit of an odd combination. He turned his shoulder slightly away from us, and then raised his hand to me, his shoulder slightly bent. It was a familiar move to me. That was how a Zoroark invited a young Zorua to ride on their heads or shoulders. I blinked. He seemed to know about us.

"My name's Kyle," he explained. "I was the one who traded Nina to your Grandpa. I decided though that she'd be better needed here, so she's going to stay. That's a lively little Zorua you've got there. Can I see him?"

"Oh, Zero?" Lucy asked. "I don't know. He's gotten better, but he was abused. He doesn't seem to like anyone else but me much."

"It's okay," Kyle said with a smile. "Come here Zero. I'm not going to hurt you."

I blinked, looking at him a moment. But then I leaped up onto his hand and ran up his arm to sit on his shoulder. I looked at him as he lowered his arm and smiled at me. He held up a single finger to me, which I sniffed carefully. But he seemed alright, so he began to pet me, and I let him. He knew right where to scratch my back so I liked it. I smiled and purred a little to him, but nothing like I would do for Lucy.

"There we are," Kyle said with a smile. "Not so bad around people huh?"

"He's purring," Lucy said excitedly. I thought she might be a little jealous, but she was very happy. "I can't believe it! He usually doesn't purr for anyone but me!"

"I've lived in an area where there are Zoroark for a long time," Kyle said. "And Zorua too. I know a lot about them. Let's see...this one's a little small, but I don't think that's a problem. He sure makes up for it in spirit. When he evolves he'll probably be one of the biggest Zoroark I've ever seen. How are his illusions? Has he changed into anything."

"Yeah," Lucy said with a nod. "In our first battle a couple months ago he changed into a Charizard."

"How did it look?" Kyle asked. "Did he still have a Zorua's tail?"

"No," she said. "It looked completely real."

"Interesting," Kyle said with a smile. "His illusion ability already seems strong. It'll be even stronger once he evolves, much stronger than even Nina's. He's going to be one powerful Pokemon. You two take good care of each other on your journey alright?"

"We will," I promised him with a smile. I leaped back onto Lucy's shoulder, who smiled and patted me. I rubbed my face against her cheek.

"He's a good little one," Kyle said. "He'll take good care of you, so you be sure to take good care of him in return. It's going to be a hard journey ahead of you, but it'll be fun too! Now why don't you two go inside and see what your Grandpa left for you. I'm sure it'll be useful on your journey."

Kyle waved with a smile and then turned and left. We watched him go a moment, but then Oak motioned us forward, so Lucy turned and walked into the house. I was glad to be in the dry house, and leaped down, shaking the water out of my fur on the mat so I wouldn't get the floor too wet. Lucy put the umbrella down, which folded a little for convenient storage in a small place. We looked around the house.

It seemed a little sad and lonely without Grandpa's whistling coming from the other room. But I soon heard Nina humming a little tune, as she often did while she worked around the house. She came into the front hall and smiled at us, letting out a purr to Lucy. Lucy walked forward and stroked her muzzle. I looked towards the stairs and found Rex the Luxray sleeping there as usual. I wasn't sure why he liked to sleep there, but I was glad to see that he was still there.

"Hello?" a pretty voice called. "Lucy is that you?"

A pretty young human walked out of the kitchen and smiled at Lucy. I had never seen her before, and I was pretty sure that Lucy hadn't either given the look on her face. I leaped up onto Lucy's shoulder again and blinked at her. She had long brown hair that was nearly all the way down her back. Her eyes were blue, and she smiled at us in a cheerful manner. A Cottonee was perched on her shoulder, cooing gently at us.

"Who are you?" Lucy asked.

"My name is Sarah," the woman replied with a gentle smile. "I know it's a little odd, but your Grandpa left me the house in his will since I used to have no place of my own. Of course, this is your home too, so I wouldn't dare throw you out. You're going on your adventure soon right? Well whenever you decide to come home for a while, this place will still be open for you. So just think of me like your older sister or cousin or something okay?"

Lucy seemed a little confused and unsure. On one hand she probably wanted to hate this woman for coming and taking over this house just like that. On the other, I knew she was relieved that she would still have a home to come back to after all of that. There was nothing like home after all. Rex looked up with some interest, and Nina smiled and purred to Lucy again to tell her that it was alright.

"Thanks," Lucy said at last, nodding a little.

"It's the least I could do," Sarah said, glancing towards the kitchen where she was baking something that smelled really good. "Your Grandpa took such good care of me for a while. Nina and Rex are staying here to help watch over the house, and my Cottonee here, Cloud will be too. She's been very excited to meet you. "

"Hi," she said happily. "And have fun on your journey."

"Hello Cloud," Lucy said, correctly guessing what she meant. "It's going to be a little weird, but I guess I'll get used to it. Take god care of everything while I'm gone okay?"

"Of course," Sarah said with a smile. "Oh, and your Grandpa left you some things. Here come upstairs and take a look alright?"

Sarah stepped over Rex, who had laid his head back down to nap, and went upstairs. Lucy paused a moment, but then at last stepped over the Luxray and followed her upstairs as well. She went to her room, and found Sarah waiting there with a bag and several items lying on the bed. Lucy went over and looked at the bag.

"I can show you how to pack everything so it all fits," Sarah explained. "But here it is. There's a bag here he wanted you to have. There are Potions inside, some berries, a sleeping bag for the road, a pocket for TM's because they'll be useful, a flashlight, Pokeballs for catching some Pokemon, a place for extra clothes and toiletries so you can stay clean on the road, extra batteries for the flashlight, a Town Map so you won't get lost, and finally a camera and a picture album so you can keep track of all of your memories and the places you go. Pretty good huh?"

"He left all this for me?" Lucy asked.

"Yes," Sarah said. "You and your Pokemon. He knew he was dying, so he was preparing to send you off as best he could, just like he had with your brother. He's not here in person, but he's still here, so take it and be proud to. You're leaving tomorrow right? After the funeral you can take off and go on your adventure. It'll be great! I still remember my first day. It will be a little sad, but it'll be a happy time too. And you'll take good care of her, won't you Zero?"

"Of course," I replied.

Lucy just stared at the bed a moment, and then tears appeared in her eyes. She seemed both upset and happy. Yes, Grandpa wasn't here to see her off, but he had made sure that she was ready to be off. I had to admit, it was impressive. The old guy hadn't spared anything for her. He had always taken such good care of her, and now it was my turn. I was going to make him proud.

"Thank you," Lucy said quietly.

Sarah just smiled and reached into a box beside the bed. She pulled out two Pokeballs. They were identical, and there were no distinguishing features. Lucy turned to look at them, regarding them a moment. She didn't seem to know what to make of them at first.

"Here," Sarah said. "There's one last thing. Your Grandpa wanted to give you and Tom both a Pokemon before he died, but he said that if he died before then he'd let you two pick. You get one, so pick carefully. I don't even know what's inside these Pokeballs yet. The Pokemon you pick will be yours to keep. Tom's not here, so he'll just have to get the one you don't pick okay?"

"Pokemon?" Lucy asked. "And I have to pick one? But I already have Zero."

"I know," Sarah said with a smile. "But your Grandpa wanted to give you two another gift before he left. Since you'll be leaving soon, I thought it would be a great time to give it to you. So take good care of the little guy when you get them alright?"

Sarah just smiled and held out the Pokeballs to Lucy. Lucy nodded, and the stared at them intently, as if to unlock some secret they held. She was trying really hard to decide which Pokemon would join our team. I had to agree that it was pretty exciting. Cloud watched intently from her perch, as did I. At last Lucy took the Pokeball in Sarah's left hand.

"Well alright," she said. "I choose this one. Come on out!"

There was a flash of light, and then there was an excited Growlithe on the floor. She jumped up and down and smiled at all of us. She turned and saw Lucy and ran right to her, jumping up into her arms and giggling. Lucy smiled too and hugged the little puppy like Pokemon. The Growlithe looked up at me and smiled brightly.

"Hi there," she said. "My dad said he was Trainer's Pokemon once and it was really fun, so I let the old man catch me when he said he wanted to give me to one of his grandchildren. I was so excited! I want to go on an adventure! Are you her Pokemon too? We'll be best friends! You're her partner right?"

I just blinked at looked down at the Pokemon. She seemed different than every other Fire Type I had ever met. Most of them seemed rash and brazen. She seemed much more excited than anything else. Her tail was wagging practically none stop. Lucy smiled at her though, and seemed to like her a lot. I knew she was joining our team, so I wasn't too worried.

"Ah a Growlithe," Sarah said. "What a cute little Fire Type. You'd better give her a nickname too, don't you think? That way you can keep track of her too. It's good to nickname Pokemon too. It makes them your own best friends, because Pokemon are our friends."

"Alright," Lucy said with a smile. "But what to call you..."

The Growlithe sat both perfectly happy and perfectly still in Lucy's arms. Her tail continued to wag, and she didn't seem to mind getting a nickname at all. She seemed even more excited than ever to prove that she could have a nickname. Like she had just found a huge pile of berries. I guess it was better than having an extremely angry Pokemon. Lucy just thought for a moment silently, trying to come up with a unique and fitting nickname. At last she smiled and looked down.

"What about Scarlet?" Lucy asked.

"Yes yes," the Growlithe exclaimed happily. "That name's great. Don't you think? Yay I'm going on an adventure!"

"She seems excited, doesn't she Zero?" Lucy asked.

"She likes the name," I told her with a smile.

"Oh so your name's Zero?" Scarlet asked. "Great! We're going to be best friends and have so much fun on this journey! Aren't you excited? And you can talk to our Trainer! This is so awesome!"

"Yeah I guess," I said with a smile back. "But we're not leaving until tomorrow. Have you battled yet?"

"Nope not yet," Scarlet said. "But I can't wait to. So we're not going to be leaving until tomorrow? That's okay! I get to be out of my Pokeball more and have some fun!"

"Well there you go," Sarah said with a smile. "Now let me see..."

Sarah picked up the camera and looked it over, then she smiled and scooted Lucy up and over onto the bed with all of the stuff still laying everywhere. Lucy held up Scarlet with a smile for the camera to see. Scarlet was sitting in a somewhat awkward position in her lap, standing on her back paws with Lucy's hands under her front so they dangled out in front of her. But Scarlet only smiled and wagged her tail for the camera. I was balanced on Lucy's shoulder, and I smiled mischievously for the camera. I still didn't understand why humans liked cameras and pictures for memories, but I wasn't complaining. I would smile for the camera and pose all Lucy wanted if it would get her to smile more. There was a pop and a flash from the top, and then a small square popped out from the front. Scarlet and I were confused, and Lucy didn't seem to know what to think either. Sarah smiled and just began to waved the picture back and forth.

"This is a Polaroid," she explained. "It's an older camera, but it's good for you since you won't have time to stop and print out photos or get film developed. It takes a picture and then dispenses it right away. Don't touch the black part or you'll leave finger prints. Just wave it around a little to dry and then...perfect!"

She handed Lucy the picture, and she held it up so that Scarlet and I could see it. We stared down at it. It was a perfect picture of the scene we had just been in, paused forever in time so that it could be seen by anyone who wanted to look at it. We were smaller, a lot smaller. But our faces were still clearly visible. This seemed to make Lucy very happy and she looked at Scarlet and me.

"Isn't this great guys?" she asked. "Now we'll always have this moment! The moment when Scarlet joined us and we got everything to start our adventure! We'll be leaving soon too, and we can get a picture then. And we can get pictures about every important thing that happens to us along the way! We'll never lose this moment!"

"It's perfect," Scarlet gasped in excitement.

"It'll be great for our journey," I relented with a smile when I saw how happy she was.

"Here," Sarah said, handing Lucy the Photo Album. It was simple and golden in color. "Keep it in here."

Lucy set Scarlet down on the bed beside her, and then opened the small little photo album. There were tiny little slots to put the pictures in, the same shape as the picture we had just gotten. This album was made for this kind of picture. She slid it into the first slot securely with a smile, and then paused. She took out a pen and scribbled down the date, our names, and a title: "Getting Ready to Go". She seemed very satisfied and smiled.

"There," she said. "Perfect! We'll keep taking pictures until we fill this one up, and then we'll get another one too if we need to! Thank you, this is great! Oh...and thank you too Grandpa for all the wonderful gifts."

Sarah just smiled and put the other Pokeball away. She then showed Lucy how to fold everything so that it it fit neatly with plenty of room to spare in the large bag. I nosed it, and found that it was surprisingly light. I could have carried it for a while, though I would be dragging it behind me. It was perfect for out adventure. I couldn't deny that I was getting excited as well. We were really going to go on this journey! I hadn't wanted it before, but now I couldn't keep myself from smiling.

"Well," Sarah said with a smile. "Everything's packed away. You'll need some sleep too for tomorrow. It's a big day! I'm baking you a cake and everything. After the funeral you can go and register for the Secret Contest, and I'll be there to see you and your team off. Come on downstairs, dinner's almost ready."

My mouth began to water a little at the thought of food, and I smiled at Lucy. She smiled too and put the pen and album neatly away in the bag beside the camera. She then leaped up and down the stairs ahead of Sarah, with Scarlet in close pursuit of us, giggling the whole way. She leaped over Rex, who looked somewhat angry, but also amused. No doubt he remembered when he was first caught and went out on his journey with his Trainer. But I wanted food now, and to be off.

This was a long chapter. o.o

But in this one we got to see our first foreshadowing of what is to come later on in the story, as well as getting our little band of heroes almost ready to go out the door. Sorry for the time skip, but I wanted to get this moving. And adding in Scarlet might have been a little random, but I wanted to get another character and team member involved as soon as possible. Anyway, leave a comment below if you liked it! :D