ANNOUNCEMENT!

Syl: (gasps) You finally got a boyfriend! Who is-

No! I didn't get a boyfriend!

Syl: (smirks) Yet...

Oh boy... Anyway, updates might take longer than normal. I didn't really start writing this until yesterday. So just please be patient!

Syl: Hey, Linz?

Yeah?

Syl: Who is the guy with hearts around his name in your contacts?

GET OFF MY PHONE!

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Hugh laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. His bed was right next to the window. He glanced at his sister across the room. She was sound asleep on her bed, covered in dark purple blankets, while snuggling a Purrloin doll.

He sighed and glanced at the clock on the wall next to him. It was a little after midnight. Well, he thought as he scrambled off the bed quietly and stood up. I guess I'm not sleeping tonight. He slowly walked over to his Xtransceiver on Harper's side of the room. He grabbed it, the returned to his bed. Instead of lying down, he pressed his back against the wall and sat down. Turning it on, he scrolled through his contacts until Rosa's name showed up. He stared at it sadly.

Two days ago, she had received a Pokemon and a PokeDex; yesterday, she had defeated the city's Gym Leader in a battle, earning her first badge; and once the sun rose, she'd be leaving for Virbank City.

He clicked on her contact and began typing a message.

Hugh: Hey you up?

It didn't take long for a response.

Rosa: Yeah. Too much excitement. Can't sleep.

He smiled at how she always tried to use correct punctuation when messaging someone.

Hugh: Same. Snivy feeling the same?

Rosa: No way! Snivy took over the bed and Vine Whipped me on the floor before falling asleep!

He laughed before remembering Harper was still sleeping.

Hugh: Still can't believe you're actually leaving...

Rosa: Me either...

As he was about to respond she sent another message.

Rosa: Is that why you can't sleep?

Hugh: What?

Rosa: Can you not sleep because you keep thinking about me leaving.

Hugh was amazed. She always knew what was bothering him, even when they couldn't even see each other's face.

Hugh: Your good. Yea, that's why I can't sleep.

Rosa: You're

Hugh: Huh?

Rosa: It's 'You're good' not 'Your good.'

Hugh rolled his eyes.

Hugh: Okay whatever.

Rosa: Hugh...?

Hugh: Yes?

Rosa: I don't want to leave :'(

Hugh: I don't want you to leave either...

Rosa: And you're sure you're mom won't change her mind...?

The two had tried to convince his mom to let him travel with Rosa, but she wouldn't allow it. She said that Hugh wasn't "mature enough" to leave home yet. Plus, with his ankle still healing from the incident at the ranch, which Mrs. Dawson also knew about, she wasn't about to let her son go into danger.

Hugh: Don't think so. Doubt I'd get anywhere on my own anyway. Leg still hurts.

Rosa: I'm still worried about what happened.

Hugh: Who did that guy say he was again?

Hugh had barely heard the guy yell, and he didn't hear enough to tell who he was.

Rosa: He said something like Plasma. I think he said Team Plasma.

Hugh's heart skipped a beat and he tightened his hand into a fist. He knew who Team Plasma was, but that wasn't a good thing.

Hugh: Team Plasma?!

Rosa: Yes? Who are they? When I told my mom, she gasped and locked herself in her room.

Hugh: Team Plasma is a group of people who stole Pokemon from other people.

Rosa: WHAT?! WHY?!

Hugh: To 'liberate' Pokemon from people or something like that.

Rosa: How come I never heard about them until now?!

Hugh: They disbanded around 17 years ago. Before we were born. But some still come and steal Pokemon.

Rosa: That's terrible...

Hugh: Let's not talk about that. What about what happens in the morning?

He was that desperate to change the subject.

Rosa: I told my mom I'd leave before she woke up so she wouldn't cry. She hates crying in front of me. She only cried in front of my dad.

Hugh: Can I at least see you before you leave?

Rosa: I'd rather you go with me.

Hugh: Same. But my mom won't let me.

A few minutes passed.

Rosa: How much do you want to go with me?

Hugh: More than you know.

Rosa: Look outside.

Hugh double checked what she said before shifting positions to look out the window. He saw the city's bright lights and, on the street, Rosa was smiling and waving at him. He stared in shock before typing on his Xtransceiver again.

Hugh: What are you doing?

Rosa: Sneaking you out. I'm gonna need you on my travels.

He looked back at her on the street. He really was tempted to sneak out, but his mom would murder him if he did!

But what if Rosa gets into trouble? Danger even? The though shot through him like lightning.

He shook his head before bouncing off the bed and grabbing Tepig's Poke Ball. He had made up his mind. He grabbed his Xtransceiver again.

Hugh: How am I getting out?

Rosa: You'll do it? YAY! Snivy's Vine Whip could pull you down.

Hugh: Safely?

Rosa: Eh... Yes?

Hugh opened his window wide open. Jumping would've been suicide.

"Big brother?"

Hugh gasped softly and turned around. Harper was out of bed, hugging her Purrloin doll and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Where are you going?"

He didn't say anything.

She yawned. "Are you going with Rosa?"

He was surprised by the question, but he wasn't going to lie to his little sibling. "Yes, Harper. I am."

She walked over and sat on the bed with Hugh. "Why?"

"Rosa might need me."

"But won't Mamma..."

"Mamma's going to be mad at me for doing this."

She stared at him. "Then why do it?"

He wrapped his arms around his little sister. "I need to, even if I'm breaking the rules."

She hugged him back. "I won't tell Mamma if you promise me something."

He pulled back and held her shoulders. "Yes?"

She held out her doll. "Promise to find her."

Hugh was speechless. "W-what?"

She hugged her doll again. "You know what I'm talking about. Can you promise to find her? Please?"

Hugh just stared at his sister before nodding his head. "I promise."

Harper jumped off the bed and ran to her own. She pulled the covers over her and turned to face away from Hugh.

Hugh looked back at the window. Snivy's vine was floating outside, waiting for him to grab it so he could get to the street.

He reached out for it, but before his hand touched the vine, he heard a soft whisper. "I love you."

He smiled and whispered back to his sister without facing her. "I love you, too."

He grabbed the vine and felt it wrap around his wrist before Snivy pulled him out the window and yank him to the ground. Hugh though he was about to hit the ground but a second vine had wrapped around his uninjured ankle, slowing him down until he halted upside-down in front of Rosa. She was laughing softly so the neighbors wouldn't hear them.

Hugh glared at Snivy, who stood beside her. "What that necessary?" he hissed.

Snivy smirked and released the vines from their grip, which caused Hugh to fall to the ground.

Rosa covered her mouth to stop from laughing, but still handed Hugh her other hand to help him up.

He accepted her hand and got to his feet.

"Ready?" She whispered to him?

"Ready." He answered as Snivy jumped into Rosa's purse.

They smiled as Snivy closed his eyes and fell asleep. Still hand-in-hand, the two ran to the town's gate that would lead them to Route 1 and the cities beyond.

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So here it is! Not my best work, but it'll do!

Syl: You never answered my question. Who is he?

None of your business.

Syl: I'm gonna call him! (Hits call button)

NOOOO!

Syl: Hello? Are you Linz's boyfriend? (runs off with phone)

SYL! GET BACK HERE! HANG UP! HANG UP!