Traveling back to Ambrette Town went much smoother this time around, with traveling partners. Ivan and N became rather fast friends, when Ivan started rattling on in broken English about his dreams, and his life. Turns out, he loves pokemon too, and joined this team because he was promised that it was to make a beautiful world. There wasn't much explanation to that, but when he imagined a beautiful world, he pictured much happier lives for pokemon, and much, much easier lives for people who are struggling.

They talked so much to each other, that Touko ended up falling quiet to listen to their conversation.

"Is actually going to be mine Mama's day of birth here soon, I wish to write her and tell her many thing of mine adventure," he spoke, using his hands to speak, almost more than his words. "Mine'll be right after 'ers. When I say mom, by the way, I mean the adoptive one. She said one time that I was a gift, and I only showed up somewhat late," and by this time he was grinning, "when were you folks born? I would hate for this story to be all about me!"

"Mine is the twentieth of June. You guys barely missed mine, I showed up to Kalos just a week after the party. What about yours, N?" she asked him, looking to his back for an answer. All she saw was a shrug of his shoulders.

"I guess Ghetsis decided I didn't need one," he said plainly, not looking back at all. A quick glance to Ivan revealed that he was somewhat concerned too.

With a quick pull on his sleeve, and a few whispered words, a plan was made between Touko and Ivan. N hardly even seemed to notice, with how far ahead he was trying to walk.

"I'd have Reshiram fly us, but I don't want to push and order for three people to be carried. I'd like to stop at the pokemon center and see how this Toxicroak is faring, and if he'd like to stay with us, or go off on his own. You guys don't have to stick around while I do that, if you wish," the tone in which he spoke was flat, and seemingly focused. Ivan and Touko exchanged a glance and a nod, and knew exactly what they'd be doing with their free time.

Once they had arrived at the center, Touko only stayed long enough to see Toxicroak let out, and if N was okay with being alone. Afterwards, she rushed out to meet Ivan, who had already managed to buy birthday hats.

"Why did you get so many, though?"

"Silly girl did not think Ivan would forget green boy's love of his pokemon, did you?"

N was in a much less happy situation. Sitting with Toxicroak, he learned more and more about the troubles this pokemon had faced. What felt like hours they sat together, with N only listening while the pokemon croaked out it's woes of the world. The nurse seemed bothered by this, but deemed something had been wrong in the head with poor N, and ignored them entirely.

It wasn't until N had heard almost every story Toxicroak had to tell until Touko and Ivan returned.

"Well, I know what we need to do first, I think- . . . guys?" he was cut off when he saw that Touko had been wearing a pointed hat he didn't recognize, and Ivan was wearing the same, but also holding a cake in his hands.

"It is a party we are throwing you! Since you do not know your day of birth, we give it to you now, you enjoy this, yes?"

"I don't really-" but he was cut off again by Touko walking right up to him. With a bright smile she hooked her arm into his, tugging on him for him to stand.

"Come on N, this is the kind of stuff friends do!" she spoke, and what resistance N had in him faded almost immediately.

"Alright, alright, but just long enough for the cake, okay? And . . . maybe this isn't the place to do it," when he stood, he looked to Toxicroak and gestured with his head. For the first time since they'd met, N got to hear Toxicroak do a famous cackle- one of amusement and happiness, not one just for show.

A quick check in to the hotel assured that their party was, indeed, on. Every pokemon was released from their ball, and each and every pokemon was given a special snack and hat to go along with. It was loud, obnoxious, cramped, and in the back of the room hung a very small banner reading, 'Happy Birthday'. It was the best Touko and Ivan could do, even with their money pitched together.

Despite it's flaws, a party was indeed held. Even with how serious the situation had grown for N, he seemed to be having quite a bit of fun. The pokemon seemed to love it even more than him though, as for the first time in what felt like forever they'd all been in the same room. Without rigorous training, anyhow.

"Alright, alright, is time for gifts, alright? Me and pretty lady," with those words N shot his new friend a glare, "we pick out gifts. We not tell each other what the gift is, is surprise to everyone, yes?" his words came out proud, though with his usual poor grammar. With that much said, he pulled out a small box, and presented it to N.

It surprised Touko how adeptly N had gotten the box open. She remembered Ivan taking at least four minutes to prepare all the tape for it, so that it would take him, 'four million year' to get into. That way her gift idea wouldn't seem so bad.

On the inside, a doll was revealed, painted as a pokemon. It seemed to be an awkwardly shaped Sylveon doll, formed into a circle that Touko couldn't quite make sense of.

"Ah, you not know of this type of doll, I see. In the middle, you see line correct? Open doll," he spoke, eyes bright, while he leaned in towards N. Once N figured out how to properly open it, inside was another doll, only slightly smaller, and it was painted blue- this doll was a Glaceon. He opened it again, and there was a Leafeon. Again, and he got an Umbreon. Once more, and an Espeon. He continued to open the doll, getting somewhat frantically at this point, hardly even looking at the Flareon, the Jolteon, and the Vaporeon, as curiosity overwhelmed him as to what would be at the end.

The last, and tiniest doll, was a small brown one, with intricate little details hand-painted on. He stared at this one the longest, looking for a small slit to open, and then looked to Ivan in confusion.

"What now?" he asked, puzzled.

"Now, you put it together again, and you keep it. Mine mother worked very hard to paint those designs on, you take good care of it. I only have two more, but I think green man deserved a good first gift, eh?"

"I don't quite understand, but . . . thank you, I suppose," and with that, his eyes fluttered over to Touko. She had no box in her hand, and he quickly assumed they weren't close enough of friends for her to get him a gift. A moment of sadness struck him, right up until Touko planted a kiss onto his cheek.

"That's all I could get you, sadly, since we ran out of money once it came to gifts," she noticed how red N had gotten and smirked, "but is that alright for now, until I can get you something better?" and to that, N nodded his approval.

"Friends?" he asked her, his eyes resembling that of a puppy's.

"Friends." she replied, and it seemed to her that her gift was more than enough to make N happy.

Author's note:

Well guys this is not only late but it's short. While I apologize, I ask you to understand that my own birthday is quickly approaching, with lots of responsibilities to come with it. By that I mean, lots of stress got to me this week and writing came sort of slow. I promise to make it up to you, my loving readers, and I hope you enjoy.

On that note... I'd like to say happy birthday to the best friend, editor, and silly I have. You're honestly one of the best people in my life, and I hope this counts as a temporary gift until I can get you a real one.

Editor's note:

I adore the author.