(Author's Note: Hello, readers. I figure it's high time I come to terms with something that has been a problem since the start of 'Gallade, My Brother' but that I have refused to see until now; Quality of work.

I've been looking at my recent chapters and have been pissed off at myself. My detailing is much worse than usual and my word count has only been at my target (2500 - 3500) once since starting this story. Now, I know a lot of people reading this are continuing the story from 'Gardevoir, My Angel' and I know that if you take a look at the quality of that story, especially its later chapters, that you will agree there is a major quality drop between the two stories. I'm sick of uploading half assed content for you guys, you don't want it and I don't want it. That being said, I swear from this point on my quality will be much better than it has been so far. Rather than ignoring these issues I'm going to meet them head on and make quality my main focus. Of course, when it comes to quality vs quantity about 99% of the time you can only choose one or the other; I choose quality. With that said, I apologize in advance for what are probably going to be some longer waiting times between chapters.

Good luck, enjoy the story. -Orthros

PS: Rearranging the headings of chapters to the middle of the page, it looks better.)

-Sandgem Pokemon Center, Amber's POV, 8:45 PM-

I stare in utter disbelief at my hands. A minor panic sets in, quickly increasing when the orbs start expanding and warping. Terry kneels down on the floor next to me, concern flashing in his eyes. He grabs my chin gently in his hand and turns my head to look him in the eyes.

"Take a deep breath," he instructs calmly. "Calm down, that's it. Focus."

I do, albeit a shuddering one, focusing on the small flecks of blue in his green eyes. A moment later the blue light from the spheres dims once again, returning to the original size. Terry puts his hands on the backs of mine and slowly grips, closing my fingers over my fists. A split second before my fingers hit the orbs I'm afraid it will hurt, but out of nowhere a surge of calming bravery blossoms in the back of my head, and I relax once more.

My fingers touch the spheres and they vanish, momentary wisps of blue smoke being their only sign of having existed. The second my fingers complete fists, I groan and sink back onto my chair, suddenly exhausted as though I had run a hard race. Terry puts a tender hand across my cheek. He's ice cold to the touch. After a moment I spot his eyes glowing a soft blue. I feel a weird sensation of rejuvenation spread from my cheek, through my head, clearing my thoughts.

I look pointedly at him and he takes his hand away. "Healing?"

He nods, already showing signs of exhaustion. "Yeah. I know what you're going through. I also did that bravery thing. Your first time is draining as hell, eh?"

I shake my head confusedly. "What do you mean? How can I do… whatever I just did? Am I a psychic?!"

Terry ponders the question for a moment, turning his head to the Gallade on the bed beside us. After a moment I realize that Nicky is asleep, breathing deeply. At the sight, I feel calmer, more at ease. It's a moment more before I notice that my breathing is in sync with his. It makes me nervous and I consciously have to stop it. The second I try, Nicky visibly winces in his sleep as though stabbed.

"Relax and let it happen," Terry urges, and so I do.

For a few minutes all is silent. I consider this new development. Surely there's no way I could be a psychic… After all, I've had little to no exposure to psychic types my entire life until very recently. I know there are a few psychic types in Santalune, under the care of some more experienced veteran trainers, but they, like the ones I have recently met, had been pretty antisocial, keeping close to their partners.

"I don't think you're a psychic," Terry breaks the silence, though he almost whispers.

I shake my head at him. "How else do you explain those… those orbs, then?"

Terry takes a deep breath. "Those were Aura Spheres, Amber."

I raise a brow at this. Of course I know what Aura Spheres are. Back at school, one of the most dreamed of pokemon to have as a partner would be a Lucario, kids would daydream about it and discuss it for hours on end. "But that would mean…" I trail off.

Terry nods. "I think you can manipulate Aura. The official term for that is 'Aura Guardian.' Granted, that's a title reserved only for those who have mastered it."

I stare at my hands in disbelief once again. Terry moves to sit on the edge of Nicky's bed, though he takes special care not to touch the Gallade even through the covers. I turn my eyes toward Nicky, who's resting peacefully now that I've stopped trying to differ my breathing from him. I have a feeling that if I put my ear to his heart casing, I would find our heartbeats to be in harmony.

Terry glances at me. "I won't pretend to be a master of Aura, but I know a little bit. As a psychic, I've learned a bit about the Path of Aura, mostly it's differences to telekinetics," he starts. "I know that Nicky, as a Gallade, can manipulate Aura fairly easily, though not fluently at first. Alex and he never really found a need to learn it. At present, your Aura and his are forming a powerful bond. That's probably why you were able to understand him."

I start to panic a little at this. "B-but," I stutter. "I'm new at this, I don't have experience caring for pokemon, at least not enough to care for his needs. And I don't know the first thing about the Path of Aura!"

Nicky groans and Terry leans forward, gripping my hand soothingly. "Relax," he says. "Panicking won't help either of you. As for caring for your pokemon, I've got plenty of experience with that. And I'm sure there is someone in Sinnoh that can teach you a thing or two about Aura," he adds.

I nod, albeit nervously, and take a deep breath. "Continue?" I ask a bit pleadingly.

Terry chuckles. "Like I said, at the moment you two are starting to form your bond. It's not complete yet, though. The best thing for you to do is remain calm. Perhaps we can get you a cot to lay on in here tonight. However," he adds, sounding confused. "I don't understand how you could've started a bond so quickly. Not if you don't have any relations to Aura… Your parents. What pokemon did they have, if any?"

I raise a brow at Terry, but answer the question nonetheless. "Well, mom, you saw her, she's a Dragon Master… Dad… well, I don't know… I haven't seen him for nearly three years now," I trail off sadly.

Terry puts his hand on his chin, covering his mouth, which muffles his reply slightly; "I'm sorry to hear that… It's something we have in common." His voice hardens with an unmistakable hint of venom.

I ponder this new development curiously for a moment, but Terry motions for me to continue. A look in his eyes tells me that, however much I may want to, changing the subject will not happen.

"Well, he had a turtwig, though she wasn't nicknamed at the time. He was a ranger, see, and Fate was his partner pokemon…" My eyes widened. "But before that, he had a Partner Meditite! They can use Aura right?" Terry nods. "She evolved under his care too. I hardly see her. After Dad disappeared, she went to live with another trainer in Santalune. Mom was worried she might get depressed otherwise, they were pretty close."

Terry nodded his head. "Your dad either gained the abilities of Aura by bonding with her, or they were passed to him at birth by one or both of his parents. My guess would be you inherited his powers, but since you haven't been exposed to any pokemon with the same abilities that you've made a close bond with until now, they've been too subtle to notice."

I nod slowly. "You know, I've always thought I have been able to understand what a pokemon is trying to say uncannily well…"

Terry makes an agreeing gesture in the air with his hand. "That would be an Aura version of Telepathy, I think, though it would be extremely underdeveloped." He glances at his watch. "I say we talk more tomorrow. I'm going to tell Nurse Joy what's going on and get you a cot to sleep on in here. While you're still creating this bond, it's best if the two of you stick together," he explains, in response to my questioning look.

I nod tiredly and he leaves the room as I lean back against my chair. I reach out one hand, gently massaging Nicky's shoulder. I notice that while a few minutes ago he seemed calm, now I see subtle things in the way he breathes that tells me he's scared, and sad. I feel naturally prone to protect him, though I've only known him a little while.

Protect him. Oh, please! I think to myself. After all, he's been to Hell and back, from what I heard about his participation in the battle against Team Plasma.

After a moment I notice that I had subconsciously changed the movement of my hand. It rubbed a joint in his neck, and he appeared to relax slightly. What could I possibly do to protect him?

"You can be there for him," a voice sounds from behind me. I turn to see Terry return, a camping cot under one arm, which he proceeds to set up by the window.

"What do you mean?" I ask him after a moment, deciding to ignore the fact that he read my mind.

Terry sighs. "Do you honestly think I protect my Gardevoir?" At my nod, he snorts. "Maybe occasionally, but for the most part she can easily take care of herself. Hell, I'm willing to bet that if she was put on the spot she'd be stronger than me."

As he says this, he glances down at his chest and forces his hand to fall to his side; it had been massaging the Luxury Ball on his pendant. Apparently I'm not the only one with active hands.

He sighs. "Our pokemon can only go so far on their own. We as trainers are there to provide support, comfort. Look at him," he adds. "He's been through Hell and he's paid for it. I think you know as well as I do that you can't protect him physically. So protect him mentally."

I nod, though for the most part I didn't understand. Terry sighs. "Get some sleep," he says, motioning to the cot. "The both of you should be fit to leave in the morning. It's about a two day journey to Jubilife on foot, so be ready to start walking."

He leaves the room and I walk, stumbling slightly, the few steps to the cot. As soon as I lay down I start to drift off. The feeling is different, however. I feel more at peace than I have in years… Not since dad left. And yet, it doesn't feel like that of a father-daughter bond…

The best I can describe the pull I feel towards the pokemon on the bed next to me is that of a brother and sister.

Gallade, my brother... The thought brings a slight smile to my face as I drift back into slumber.

-Next Day, Route 202, Amber's POV, 2:20 PM-

So far the day had passed uneventfully, thankfully. I've had enough excitement for a little while. At Nurse Joy's insistence, ("he shouldn't be walking much on those injuries for a few days, dear.") Nicky is kept in his pokeball, though he was unhappy about it. I could tell he hated being cooped up in there, but it was for his well-being, so I turned a deaf ear on his minor complaints.

Yes, that means my telepathy has improved with him. I still can't hear other pokemon clearly, but I can understand him fairly well. Terry warned me as we were setting out that the bond hadn't finished yet, that I'd know when it had. I nodded assent as we set off on route 202.

As we neared a small brooke, my stomach finally succeeded in complaining loudly, despite my fierce attempt to keep it silent. Terry looks around, an incredulous look on his face, before doubling over laughing.

"What? I'm hungry," I say as he wipes tears of mirth from his eyes.

He shakes his head. "I'm sorry, I just haven't heard that kind of a growl before. It was impressive," he says as he waves us off to the side of the road, pulling sandwiches from his pack as he does. He hands one to me and we lay beneath a tree, whose thick leaves offer shade. Terry takes a bite out of his lunch and chews it while his hands pull out his pokeballs. He clicks them open and three pokemon appear beside him; Angel, who lays down beside him, a Boldore, who struts a short ways around the side of the tree to a damp patch of grass to relax, and a Watchog, who grabs Terry's sandwich with a mischievous grin on it's face before he jumps into the branches above us.

Terry fakes a frown. "That's not nice, you know, Ace."

Ace chitters laughter down at him, and a moment later Terry smiles, grabbing a bottled water from his pack.

"Aren't you hungry?" I ask him as he takes a long drink.

Terry shrugs. "Not really, to be honest. I'm used to traveling long distances, so I've got a good bit of stamina."

He stretches out, laying against the tree. Angel sat down beside him and put her head against his chest, sighing with content. He takes a glance at me but otherwise says nothing. I raise a brow at him.

He sighs after a moment. "Keep this quiet, please…" He starts, but I cut him off.

"It's fine," I say. "I've known for a little while now. Grandpa guessed it while you two were healing him."

Terry nods, placing his arms on his Gardevoir's stomach, pulling her closer. "I know that most of the world knows what's going on, but I haven't actually admitted anything yet. I want to get registered before either of us say anything."

"What do you mean, 'registered?'" I ask curiously.

Terry's face reddens. "Well… Officially it means we can start a family together," he says quickly. "But, incase you haven't noticed, there's a rather large amount of prejudice towards pokephilia, and for the most part it's illegal as is. Angel and I are allowed," he adds, glancing at my expression. "Thing is, most people don't know about the exceptions, and even if they did most wouldn't give a shit. What happens if that prejudice is in the form of a cop? I don't want us to get separated over a kiss or something," He finishes sadly.

I nod thoughtfully. "If I assume correctly, you can get registered at most pokemon centers, right? You should do that in Jubilife."

Terry nods, sighing. "I've wanted to for a while now. The problem… You try walking up to Nurse Joy and asking her for a Pokephilia Permit…" His faces turns, if possible, an even brighter red. I stifle a laugh.

"Exactly." Terry says annoyedly. "Anyway… You should let Nicky and Athena out of their pokeballs," he says, changing the subject. "You can meet Athena and Nicky can get some fresh air."

Fate had already been out of her pokeball, travelling with us, but the other two had remained within. I clicked their spheres and they appeared. Nicky's skinny form had healed remarkably well under Nurse Joy's expert hand, but the cuts were still visible and several would probably scar over. He nods to me and Terry in turn, before walking a few feet to a nearby tree. Crouching, he jumps high, an easy fifteen feet, onto a thick branch. He lays in the crook between the branch and the trunk of the tree, one leg dangling over the edge, the other bent in front of him, and sighs as a breeze passes over his face. "Be careful," I call.

Athena, on the other hand, looks at me nervously, before backing up a couple steps. I know this is her first time meeting me, so I smile kindly at her.

"Hello, Athena," I say gently. "My name is Amber. I'm your new trainer." I don't move, waiting for her to come forward on her time.

Instead, she backs up several steps, looking heartbroken. I realize how heavy those words must be for her only now; coming forward would mean accepting that Alex truly was gone. Terry had told me of Alex's misadventure into that damned sewer, but I never imagined it from the Riolu's point of view until now; How she had been horribly abused by her previous trainer, scared shitless of Alex when he appeared right after he abandoned her. How she nearly bled out while running, and she would've been torn apart by the poison types had Alex not found her. He was all she'd had.

I stand momentarily, in my peripheral vision I see Terry and Angel watching the event play out. I kneel down in front of the Riolu, who looks up at me, paralyzed with fear. Slowly, gently, I put one arm below her knees, the other on her back, and I lift her up. I cradle her on my chest, rubbing her back and neck softly. After a moment she starts sobbing uncontrollably into my shoulder. I stand and move back to the tree.

Several minutes pass before she quiets down and slips into a light sleep. I look at Terry.

He nods approvingly. "You said you didn't have any experience? You're a natural then."

I shrug, still stroking Athena's head. "I comforted her, that's all. If the roles had been reversed she would've done the same for me."

"And that," Terry says happily, "Is exactly the point. Not only that, though," he adds, looking at Athena. "You're going to develop an Aura Bond with Athena, too. It won't be as significant as Nicky's, since he bonded with you first, but it will still be important. Nurture it." I nod in agreeance.

-Route 202, Amber's POV, 10 PM-

Terry gets into his tent, a nervous look on his face, a mischievous one on his Gardevoir. I chuckle. We had made it much farther along route 202, thankfully, and we expected to arrive in Jubilife by late night tomorrow. I stared around the campsite. Fate was curled up just inside my tent, her leafy twig just visible through the zipped shut door as a smudgy shadow. Athena was in my arms once again. She had woken up shortly after we'd started traveling again, and I allowed her to run around, burning off some of her bundled energy. Now she laid her head against my chest, hardly able to keep her eyes open.

Nicky, on the other hand, was nowhere in sight. That wasn't much of a problem, I quickly discovered, though. Our bond was quickly manifesting and it was now fairly easy to sense his whereabouts from a short distance away. I searched for that new-yet-familiar feeling as Terry had taught me.

"I'm sure an Aura Guardian can teach you an easier way, but try this for the time being," he'd said. He taught me how to sense my partner not as an Aura Guardian would have, but as a Psychic. It took a while, because I had to use the energy differently, but I caught the hang of it eventually and my range was about that of 50 feet in any direction.

Within seconds I sensed Nicky's presence. As I walked away from the campsite, I choked on a laugh as the sounds of an energetic make-out session ensued behind me. A couple minutes of walking later led me to the edge of a small pond. It was only about ten feet in diameter. There was a small stone ledge in front of me, covered in soft moss. Nicky sat cross legged on the stone, arms on his legs, staring into the depths of the pond's still waters.

I walked up silently and sat down beside him, cross legged as well. One hand still cradling the now sleeping Riolu in my arms, my other puts a reassuring touch on his leg. He looks around at me, still unsure, but relaxed too.

I smiled tentatively at him. "You should get some sleep," I said quietly.

He nods tiredly but doesn't move. We sit in silence for a few moments. I stare out over the small pool, taking in the tranquility of the place. Now that we're silent, I can hear a variety of sounds, from the soft breeze lapping the water, to the rustling of the leaves and the distant cries of wild Pokemon. I understand why he'd want to meditate here.

"Do you trust the gods?"

I glance at Nicky, taking in his unsure appearance, and ponder the question.

"Do I trust the gods?" I repeat. "Well, I can certainly say I believe in them… I don't know, I guess. You'd think, if they were worth trusting, the world wouldn't be going through so much shit right now, would it?"

He nods numbly, staying silent. After a few more minutes of quiet, I say, "we should get some sleep."

My tone had a slight commanding hint to it, and as I stand, starting to walk and putting Athena back in her ball, Nicky follows without complaint.