Disclaimer: I do not own any of the creatures, characters, or anything else in this story. Besides the story itself and Touko's Pokémon. Those are actually mine.

I'm back! You know, hours later after I wrote Chapter Two. I hope you enjoyed that, by the way. In my mind, I'm already way ahead in this story. So, I have to hurry up with the writing if I want to get caught up.

One last thing, it'd be nice to get some feedback. ;) It's awesome to know what people think. Am I the only one out there that's seriously annoyed that the main characters practically never talk in the video game? Unless it's a yes or no question that the player has to answer? I hate that!

So, I'm not following the game script. Only the scenes. And I must warn you, Touko will probably be snarky. And possibly insulting. I'm the kind of person that screams at technology, mostly "Die!" so, she might be calling people morons and things in the nature. :D

You have been warned.

Enjoy!

Energized

Cheren's POV

I managed to stay polite as I explained to Touko's mom what had happened upstairs. She was as nice as ever, just like her daughter.

She turned down my and Bianca's offer for help, knowing it was an empty gesture. Neither one of us had enough patience to actually clean.

I glanced back at the stairs, wondering what was taking Touko so long. I kind of wanted to leave with her. But I wouldn't. It drove me nuts to be alone with Touko. Bianca was the conversation-starter. But Touko was the one that kept us together.

And the one that sat on me when I was prepared to kill Bianca.

Bianca had that glow in her eyes again, and Touko's mom was smiling at me knowingly. I furrowed my eyebrows at them, the tiniest bit intimidated.

It was then that Touko decided to join us, thank Arceus.

I moved slowly to the door, wanting desperately to stay. I liked it here. My own parents didn't understand me just as well as Touko and her mom did.

"I'll be waiting in front of the lab," I stated, hearing Bianca say something about going home first behind me. Touko nodded solemnly and began chatting quietly with her mom. What was up with her?

I slipped through the door, careful to avoid any friendly townspeople. I was far too excited to talk. I wouldn't be able to form the words. My tongue felt like lead.

I stood straight and tall against the door to the lab, making sure not to touch or lean on it. Bianca was there minutes later, biting her lip. I didn't ask what was wrong. It was quite obvious. Probably just another argument with her dad.

She was sniffling softly, causing me to glance at her from the corner of my eye. Arceus, I couldn't just get silence, could I?

"Did you have another argument with your dad?" I ask quietly, averting my eyes to the ground. She nodded. "Well, at least you have a dad."

Bianca whirled to face me. "So do you," she said, confused.

"But Touko doesn't. Your dad just loves you too much, that's all. He doesn't want you to go out there and get hurt."

She was silent for a few seconds, before: "What's out there that can hurt me?"

I snort. "Physically or emotionally?"

"Both."

"Hmm." I adjusted my glasses. "Well, there's guys for emotional. And Pokémon for physical. There's a lot of danger out there, Bianca."

"You and Touko aren't leaving without me," she said stubbornly.

"Of course we aren't," Touko added, making me jump. I hadn't realized she joined us.

She wiped a stray tear from Bianca's cheek, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "We've always protected you. Even if we're not with you the entire time, we'll be in your heart. We'll always protect you."

Bianca wiped her nose across the back of her hand childishly. "And we'll always be friends. Whether we're together or apart."

I don't know if I'm included in that last part.

"Shall we go in?" Touko interrupts my thoughts. She pushes Bianca to the front, before grabbing my hand and pulling me back when she walks in.

"Good job mentioning my father," she said sadly. The surprising thing was: it wasn't sarcasm. "It made her feel sorry for me instead of herself." The last part was bitter. Maybe that first part was sarcasm . . .

"And, Cheren? You were included in the 'we'll always be friends' thing."

I start. How did she know I questioned that?

Touko never ceases to amaze me. She squeezes my hand briefly, but drops it like a stone and strolls in the lab. I reluctantly follow.

"Good," Professor Juniper began, "you're all here. I am–"

"We know who you are, Professor Juniper," I interrupt, wanting to get to the point. I was eager to head out. I had been waiting for this moment for fourteen years.

"Cheren, it's time to be polite," she scolded softly. "I am Professor Juniper, and I have gathered you here to see if you would accept a very important mission."

"I assume this is about the Pokédex?" C'mon, did she have to explain everything?

"Pokédex?" Bianca repeats. After that came a long explanation I would rather not relive.

And Bianca and I were now waiting for Touko at Route 1. I have positively no idea why we keep leaving her. I just walk ahead and Bianca follows me. Touko just seems to lag behind.

I was pacing by the time she arrived. She seemed puzzled that we were still waiting around. "Bianca said we should all take our first steps together," I informed her halfheartedly. She momentarily looked ashamed, as quiet as I'd ever seen her.

"What's up?" Bianca and I asked harmoniously.

She sighed, slumping against a tree. "We're not going to see each other much anymore. We'll all be on the road. We'll be rivals, not friends. The only reason we'll talk to each other is because we want a battle."

Bianca places a hand on her shoulder. "That's not true."

But I, on the other hand, considered her words. "Yes, it is," I argue, startled at how true they were.

Touko nodded sadly. "I know. And it really sucks, to think of us becoming like that. Can you guys think of any way to prevent it? I definitely can't."

I press my brain for answers, staring up at the brilliant blue sky. "I think I have an idea."

Touko's bright eyes widen. "Really? Already?"

"How about every month we meet up at the closest city and just, well, hang out? It could actually be fun. Only one rule: no battling."

I swear I could see Touko's mind whirling. "Perfect!" she laughed, standing and pulling me into a hug. "Bloody brilliant, Cheren!"

I tense and wait for her to let go. She knows I hate this. Stupid claustrophobia . . .

But Bianca joins in, squashing me between them. We sink to the ground, laughing, and become tangled together in a pile of jumbled limbs.

And, somehow, Touko ended up above me, our faces inches apart. She chuckles nervously, a hand on each side of me to keep our torsos separated. "I've never noticed how blue your eyes are . . . ," she murmured. "I always thought they were gray."

Then she realized what she said and staggered off of me. "Shouldn't we get going?" she said hurriedly. I rose as Bianca slapped her forehead.

"I forgot! Professor Juniper is waiting."

I had forgotten, too. Man, was I getting on the same level as Bianca? Was I becoming careless? I would have to focus more.

"Let's get this over with," I added, taking my place to the left of Touko. She was always in the middle, no matter what.

We each reached for one another's hands at that exact moment. Completely in sync, we took a deep breath and stepped forward, onto Route 1. "Our journey as officially begun," Touko whispered.

I plastered a smirk on my face and decided to ignore my pounding heart. Well, at least my hand wasn't sweating like hers.

We ran into Professor Juniper, received a demonstration on how to catch a Pokémon, and agreed to meet her in Accumula Town.

We were hesitating to step into the tall grass, refusing to go without one another, when Bianca cheered, "I have a fun idea!"

I rolled my eyes. There was no way this could be good. Neither Touko nor I said anything, so she took this as acceptance to continue. "Why don't we see who can catch the most Pokémon between here and Accumula Town?"

I adjusted my glasses, thinking. "Well, as much as I hate to admit it - that actually sounds like a good idea. It would help us with our Pokédex."

Touko nodded. "Exactly! It ought to be fun!"

Bianca pulled her hat over her eyes, embarrassed at our praise. "Tepig and I are going to get the most."

I snorted, grabbing Snivy's Pokéball from my belt. "We'll see." With a flash, my newest partner was by my side.

It – or should I call it a he? – ran ahead, forcing me to chase after it. Bianca had gone to the right, me the left, while Touko remained behind. Was she still depressed?

She was watching me. I turned around, only seeing her eyes through the tall grass. I had the feeling she could see me, though. Every bit of me. I raised my hand and gave a small wave. Her eyes lit up, giving me a small sense of satisfaction. Normally it was easy to make Touko smile, but no matter what you went through to create it; it always made you feel happy. Complete. Invincible.

I smirked as I continued on my way. My heart was . . . what was the word? Fluttering? Wait, no, my heart wasn't a freaking butterfly. It felt weird, though.

I rubbed my temple, desperately trying to keep place with Snivy. And I thought I had picked the calm Pokémon! This thing had more energy than Touko!

Okay, well, maybe not that much energy.