The sun was still shining beautifully. On such a lovely day, it was difficult to write about the dark ship and the really unpleasant journey. I took a deep breath.

If someone told me before that the journey would last a whole week, I'd maybe reconsider the whole thing.

But now, it was too late to turn back. I couldn't sleep that night. I just stayed awake and watched my Eevee and his brother.

In the morning, my Eevee happily ran to me and jumped to lick my cheek. Vaporeon just lay, motionless, obviously having lost any will to live. I felt so sorry for him.

A few moments later, I was greeted by captain himself. I was completely shocked.

"Excuse me, but are you by any chance Lassie Green?"

"T-that's m-m-m-me, cap-tain."

"There's no need to be afraid, child." He was an old man and the smile he gave to me was so warm, I almost felt safe. "Your mother just called and she wants that you call her back as soon as you can. I'll show you the phone."

Mom...I just realized that I ran away from home with a stolen Pokemon. I shivered with cold and fear. When I stood up, the whole world was just spinning around me. Captain had to catch me so I didn't fall.

"T-t-thank you, captain." I could barely speak.

"Like I said before, you don't have to be afraid." He smiled again. His blue eyes somehow calmed me. He was like a grandfather I never met.

He practically carried me to the small video phone. Then he helped me dial the number. As he was leaving, he gave me a thumbs up.

When a picture of my mother appeared on screen, I thought I was going to faint. But she didn't look angry at all. Just very relieved.

"Lassie, thank Arceus you're alive."

"Mom, I'm so sorry, I, I, I just...I..." I was blinded by pure panic.

"Lassie, dear, please let me speak." She even smiled. I nodded and gave her a small smile. She continued.

"As soon as you ran away with Eevee and Vaporeon...oh, by the way, how are they?"

"Eevee is fine, he is guarding Vaporeon all the time because doesn't even want to stay awake. Wait, how do you know about Vaporeon?"

"Carla ran to me as fast as she could and admitted everything. She lost the right to have her own Pokemon for 10 years."

That sounded harsh. But then I remembered that poor, helpless Vaporeon.

"Anyway" My mother continued. "Your father and I went to Jubilife to look for you. Some people recognized your picture and I got in contact with the captain. The whole family then sat together and we have an offer for you."

"An offer?" I was amazed she didn't find a way to reach for me through the phone and slap me.

"Yes. First, I want you to know that I arranged some thing with the captain. You're getting a small cabin on this ship, as well as a truck ride to the cargo's final destination."

"Mom, this may sound stupid, but where am I going?"

"You don't even know? Oh, my poor dear...you're on a ship to Kanto."

"Kanto? Where is Kanto?"

"Oh, you'll find out." My mother smiled. "Your final destination is Cerulean City"

"Cerulean?" There was too much information. Far too much.

"Be brave, sweetie. Now, when you arrive in Cerulean, go to the Pokemon center. I sent some of your thing there."

"Mom, you're the best."

"And so are you, my brave little Lassie. In Cerulean City, there is a water type gym. maybe the leader will be able to help you help Vaporeon."

"But mom, there is also a water type gym in Sinnoh. I could go back and ask Mr. Wake."

"Of course you could, child, but I want you to go on a journey somewhere far, like Kanto."

"But I never..."

"Of course, you don't have to if you really don't want to, but your father and I believe that you have some talents you can't really put to good use back home. You're all grown up now, Lassie" she smiled softly "this is the perfect way to learn about the world."

Too much. It was all way too much. I didn't know what to do. I started cying.

"Don't cry, my dear. Now, go and see if your Pokemon are all right and move with them to your room. Call me later, okay?"

"Mom, please, don't go." I felt like a baby.

"I'm always with you, don't ever forget that. I love you, dear."

"Love you too, mom. I-I'll call you later. Bye."

I had to hang up at that moment, othervise I'd stay at that phone forever. I tried to calm down at least a bit, but it was just impossible. With tentative steps, I went to find Eevee and Vaporeon. My Pokemon. MY Pokemon.

Did she really say that Vaporeon was mine now?

I found the two brothers in the same state as I left them, cuddled up on the floor. When Eevee saw me, he jumped on my shoulder. If it wasn't for his brother's slow, deep breathing, I'd assume he had died.

I reached my hand to touch the blue Pokemon. It didn't respond.

"Come on, Vaporeon. I'll move you to the more comfortable room and give you some food. You must be hungry, right?"

Still no response. I was getting desperate. I fell on the floor, into a position similar to the Pokemon's and cried quietly. My little Eevee wiped my tears with his tail.

"Thank you, Eevee. This is not a moment for me to cry." I rolled over to face Vaporeon. He was covering his head. I slowly touched it and this time, I didn't let go.

About fifteen minutes passed, still, no response. I started to fell stupid with my hand on his head but my Eevee encouraged me not to stop. A few moments later the Bubble Jet Pokemon revealed his head. And not only that, he opened his eyes.

That was one of the saddest moments of my life. All that pain, all that sadness...I felt like crying again, but this time, I resisted. I had to be strong, for both of us.

I didn't speak. The words would just ruin the moment. After some more looking into each other's eyes, Vaporeon alowed me to pick him up.

The feeling was incredible. I gain this poor creature's trust. No, not poor. At that moment, I vowed to make him the happiest Pokemon ever.

I carried him to our cabin, Eevee was happily skipping behind us.

"And I really hope I didn't fail." I whispered to that same Vaporeon, who was trying to read over my shoulder. He just looked me into my eyes and smiled.