Green returns as promised to deliver this chapter to you lovely readers.

Steven walked around Vermillion port, his new piplup waddled behind him. For the first time since this time-fiasco started, Steven was enjoying himself. Yakumo swatted at the water with her wing and Steven laughed.

Someone tugged on his sleeve and Steven turned to greet them. He nearly fell over in surprise.

"Kotone?," he asked, almost afraid to hope.

The brunette in front of him blinked as if she couldn't understand him for a moment. Then her face lit up and she smiled. She nodded her head eagerly and waited for Steven to start talking again.

Steven couldn't believe his luck. He had found her! He blinked his eyes as the world started to blur together. Kotone was holding her head. Steven reached out a hand to reach her. The world faded to grayscale and, as it darkened, Steven realized he wouldn't reach Kotone.

No…

Steven awoke to Yakumo pecking at his head. He swatted at her, but he lacked any real desire to stop the piplup from attacking his hair. He lay in his room aboard the St. Anne and he took in the scenery through his window. The skies were black and rain pelted the window. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed.

Steven sighed and sat up in his bed. He hummed a tune from his memory and savored the memory attached to the tune.

Steven remembered Kotone teaching him the song. She had laughed at his attempts to pronounce Lugia's Japanese name.

"No, Steven, that's wrong.," she said between fits of laughter.

"Hey, I'm trying here.," he protested, but he sounded rather weak. At least Kotone was amused.

Steven smiled at the memory, what he would give to go back to that time. Before all this time-loop trouble. He had been so close to her. Steven closed his eyes and sighed. Close only counted in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Steven growled and threw his alarm clock across the room. Yakumo chirped in surprise and hid behind Steven. He ignored the piplup in exchange for staring at the pieces of his clock scattered across the floor. He took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

"Damn it.," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Steven fell back onto his bed with a light thump and he turned out the light. Looking at the world was too hard right now.

In the morning, when Steven got up after a sleepless night, it was still raining. The dreary weather reflected Steven's thoughts. He pet Yakumo and the piplup chirped as she got up. She pecked Steven's hair and set about grooming her trainer. Steven inhaled and held his breath for several moments before he exhaled. He stood up and Yakumo chirped in outrage of her work being interrupted.

"Oh, hush.," Steven said.

With that said, Steven walked out of his room and off the boat. The boat would leave in three days so he had to find Kotone again. Yakumo trotted after her trainer and Steven looked around.

True to his predictions, Kotone stood by the Pokemon Fan Club building. A blue-haired girl that he recognized as Krystal stood nearby, talking to Kotone. He swallowed and walked over to the two girls. Kotone turned to look at him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Krystal scowl.

"Come on, Delila, let's go.," Krystal said as she grabbed the brunette's wrist.

Steven paused for a moment. He had to get Kotone away from Krystal so he could talk to her. A thought came to mind and Steven held out a hand.

"Hey, Delila, come with me.," Steven said. He held his breath as he waited for her answer.

Kotone stared at him for a few moments before she smiled and slipped out of her sister's grip. She grabbed Steven's hand and Steven ran off. They left Krystal standing by the Pokemon Fan Club building.

Steven laughed as led Kotone through the streets of Vermillion City. The brunette behind him smiled and gave a soundless laugh as he pulled her towards a private alcove of the Vermillion City beachfront. When they were alone, Steven turned around to face Kotone.

"Do you know who I am?," Steven asked.

The brunette girl raised her hand and shook it, then pointed to him and then pointed to her back. Steven wondered what was on her back, but instead focused on Kotone herself. Kotone was younger, but that was to be expected. However, she was just as beautiful as he remembered. Without much thought, Steven leaned forward and kissed her.

Delila touched her lips again, her kiss with her silver angel was everything she dreamed of. She walked up to her house, still slightly giddy. A noise startled her and she ducked behind a bush. She exhaled when she saw that it was only Krystal. She moved to come out from behind the bush, but Krystal's words stopped her.

"I can't believe Steven found her. This wasn't supposed to happen."

So how do you like the monkey wrench thrown into the mess? Drop a review and let me know how I'm doing. I almost didn't update this week due all of the fucking snow, but ice wasn't falling from the damn sky so here I am. I'd apologize for my profanity, but quite frankly I don't give a damn. I'm in T-rating, I can be as foul-mouthed as I so choose. My language aside, is this rewritten story better than the one that was up here? Let me know if you're one the people that read the previous chapters. I'll be back next week with more goodness.

Adieu - Green the Cat