Thanks so far for all the reviews. It really does mean a lot to me. But I liked how no one cared for the fact that in the last chapter May technically abandoned Torch.


Wally sure knows how to cheer me up. But did he really call just to tell me that? It was nice and all but totally random. Maybe are ralts are connected and his could sense that I was in distress? If that's the case than he's a really nice guy.

I feel better but not a hundred percent. Wally told me to try again but I just don't think I'll be able to do it. I like Wally but we've only know each other for a short while so we really don't know much about each other. I don't know his limits and he shouldn't know mine. I wish I do could do more but I can't.

Wallowing in my misery at the phones isn't doing anything. I should go to my room. Yay, I get to be bothered with trying to figure out which is mine. What did the nurse say was the room number again? Twenty-seven?

This familiar scent. Have they come to bug me again? Why can't they just get it through their heads? It would be so much easier. Sighing, I step closer to them. It's quiet. They haven't noticed me yet. How can they not? I'm the only other person in this hallway.

"Sap! You are not running away again!" Brendan yells, after he finally notices me, and Torch chirps in agreement. He quickly closes the gap between us. I can't run away because I don't know where my room is. So annoying.

Brendan stops right in front of me and flares his nostrils. Torch does the same but little embers must have come out of his beak because it's slightly warmer next to him. I wish they would just hurry up. Torch is the first to break the silence with a really loud cry and peck at my right foot. Ow! Did he learn peck or something?

"I want you to explain why I don't understand," Brendan finally says after I checked my foot out. That really hurt but I'm fine.

Saying nothing I stand straight. What am I supposed to say to him? I can't expect someone that can see to understand. This is pointless but he isn't going to let me pass. This is so annoying.

"I can't see," I finally blurt out. No response? Guess I'll just have to continue (even though I don't want too). "I haven't seen anything since I was just a few months old." A hum is my proof that he's listening. I really don't want to talk about this.

"To my mother I'm a fragile thing that will crumble at the slightest problem." So why am I continuing? "She's kept me away from everything that could be the tiniest bit dangerous." Another hum, more I guess. "I always thought that I was strong that I could do stuff that those with working eyes could do. But my lost to the gym leader just proved my mother right. I'm weak and an idiot for thinking that I could be normal."

"Everybody loses," is his responses. He really doesn't get it. I've wasted my breath.

I try to push past him but he grabs my arm. "Let go," I mumble weakly. I want to leave already.

"Hear me out." I don't want to. His hold tightens, fine. I somewhat relax and he lets me go. Torch stands in front of me to make sure that I don't try leaving.

"Because you can't see doesn't make you different." I roll my useless eyes but he probably can't see it. "Your hearings got to be better than mine, right?" Yeah, so? "We all have something we are good at and other stuff we are downright terrible at, right?" It's not the same if you lack a sense.

From the sound of it I think he just scratched the back of his head. "What I'm trying to say is just because your blind doesn't make you weak. In fact you have an advantage!"

"Advantage?" I blurt out. What the hell is he talking about? Is he mocking me? I will not tolerate that!

"Yeah, people are always fooled by their eyes but you're not. People tend to panic when they can't see something but you don't have that problem. People who use that strategy of trying to hide their Pokémon will be easy pickings for you."His logic is just so weird. I have no idea how to respond.

"You got to Rustboro on your own right? No one walked you here or defeated all the wild Pokémon or trainers for you, right? You're strong Sap, you just don't realize it."

Me strong? I did make it here on my own. And on my own I took down two Team Aqua grunts. I'm not that weak I guess. But Torch, I'm sure he would like a trainer like Brendan more.

"Another thing Sap, Torch wants you as his trainer," Brendan adds as if he could read my mind.

"What?" On cue Torch starts jumping around and chirping. Picking him up Brendan places the chick in my hands. He snuggles in my arms.

"You heard me. He was acting the way he was, probably because he wants you to no longer hold back." Torch chirps. "He has more faith in you than you do. Believe in yourself and your Pokémon and you'll do great."

Torch snuggles more in my hands and Grace hugs my left cheek. Believing in myself? Is that all there is to it? It's so simple how could I miss it? "Thanks," I mumble as I rub my cheeks against my Pokémon. I'm a fool.

Sounds of rummaging through a bag catch my attention. Patiently, I wait for Brendan to find what he was looking for. With the cry of "Ah-ha" he finds it. Grabbing one of my hands he places, whatever he found, into my hand. It's smooth and has a clasp.

"It's a Pokedex. Do you know what that is?" A Pokedex! How cool! I always wanted to hold one. It sure is nice of him to let me hold it. "You don't know many Hoenn Pokémon, do you? This should help with that."

Wait! What? "It's…mine?" I hesitantly ask.

"But of course."

"But-"

"You'll be helping out my dad," he interrupts. My fingers slide across the device again. "You'll be recording data on all kinds of Pokémon my dad won't be able to meet so you'll be a great help. And at the same time you'll be learning more about Hoenn Pokémon. It's a win, win."

"But-"

"Don't worry it's voice activated. Tell it what you need and it will speak it or just point it at a Pokémon and it will tell you everything you need to know." This is something great, should I really have one? He says I will help Professor Birch but it seems like I'm the only one truly benefiting from having it.

Brendan takes Torch and Grace from me. He then places both of them on the floor a bit away from me. "Go ahead and give it a try."

Sliding my thumb against the device one more time my curiosity grows. I always dreamed of going on an adventure with one; of course the journey was always through Johto or Kanto. Licking my lips my curiosity wins. In no time at all, the device is flipped open and pointing at Torch.

"Torchic the chick Pokémon, fire type," a robotic voice drowns on. It's so cool! "If attacked, it strikes back by spitting balls of fire it forms in its stomach." That explains why he's so warm. "A torchic dislikes darkness because it can't see its surroundings." That must be why he didn't like Petalburg Woods.

"Cool huh? Now do your ralts."

Don't need to tell me twice. "Ralts the feeling Pokémon, psychic type." Something I figured out on my own but still helpful, none-the-less. "A ralts has the power to sense the emotions of people and Pokémon with the horn on its head." So that's why she doesn't like me touching it. "It takes cover if it senses any hostility." She didn't do that when we ran into the Team Aqua grunts, is that because she's no longer a wild Pokémon or just different? She hugs my leg. Guess she's not going to leave me for any reason; such a reliable Pokémon.

"Brendan I-"

"Don't mention it. Like I said before you'll be helping out my dad."

"At least let me say thanks."

"Sure. Woah! Look at the time; I need to get my sleep. Good night!"

"W-wait," I shout a bit louder than I wanted too. My cheeks are now a flame. I just got my confidence back now I have to ask for help on such an embarrassing thing. "...Can you help me find my room?"

"We're in front of it," he laughs before leaving. Living under a rock is starting to look better and better.


Well, it's time for the rematch. I was to confident last time and that ultimately led to my downfall. I won't make the same mistake twice. If I lose again this time it won't be the end, I'll just train more. Because the greatest advantage she has over me is experience. I really do miss the obvious.

I need to find the owner of the suit case I got from that Team Aqua grunt. I was going to go to the police office but instead I find myself in front of the gym. I guess it can wait just a little bit longer. Sorry owner, I'll make sure it will get back to you.

Taking a very deep breath I step on the mat and the electric doors open with a swoosh. A similar smell to the cave, I was in yesterday, bombards me. It's musty but still a bit fresh. I guess the gym is trying to imitate a cave. It's cold like the real one. I guess I was too nervous last time to really notice and I didn't have an experience to compare it too.

"Hey you're back," the man next to the door greets. I nod briefly before passing him. I then quickly pass the two gym trainers. Each gives me a snarky remark along the lines of "I'll get my butt handed to me again". In no time at all I'm at the base of the little stage that Roxanne is on. Taking another deep breath I begin to ascend the few stairs.

"You've returned?" questions Roxanne. She couldn't hide her surprise. I guess I did leave the impression of that I wouldn't return, heck I was expecting to come back either.

"Yes, I can't let one little defeat hold me back," I say confidently, even though it had to be shouted at me a few times.

"That's good. The rules will be the same." Nodding I let Torch take center stage. My little guy has the disadvantage but hopefully he can take down the geodude. I believe Grace will be the Pokémon that will win this gym battle for me. I still have faith in Torch, though.

"Sapphire versus Gym Leader, Roxanne. Let the battle begin," the referee announces.

Scratching the ground Torch lets out a battle cry, which are always more cute than ferocious. As if to show how unintimidating my little chick is geodude slams her hands against the ground and releases her battle cry. Now she's intimidating, especially because I could feel it. Not to be daunted Torch releases another cry and the battle begins.

Roxanne begins with a Rock Smash that my speedy little starter manages to avoid. To retaliate we let loose a barrage of embers that hit home. With rock types having high defenses Ember is the only move that Torch knows that will be able to do damage but not by much though.

"Rock Tomb!" the gym leader orders and without hesitation begins to throw rocks around Torch.

"Get out of there," I shout with a bit of desperation leaking into my voice. I don't know how he did it but Torch manages to escape and avoid geodude. A sigh of relief escapes my lips but it's still too early to relax. "Focus Energy!" Doing critical damage is a necessity for this battle.

"Rock Polish!" Roxanne counters.

"Circle around and use Ember." Despite the increase speed geodude is still unable to keep up with my starter who begins to run around spew the small embers. Finally the heat gets to the rock and geodude is down. Our cheers are short lived because Roxanne lets out her main Pokémon, Nosepass.

Licking my lips I pull out my Pokedex. "Nosepass the compass Pokémon, rock type," the robotic voice says. Compass Pokémon? That's different. "Its body emits a powerful magnetism. It feeds on prey that is pulled in by the force. Its magnetism is stronger in cold seasons." Hm, none of that was very helpful, oh well.

"Torch use Embers!" I shout.

"Rock Throw," Roxanne orders calmly.

The embers never make it; the rocks win. Torch's painful cry fills the room and sends a shiver down my spine. My poor starter, he did well. Saying nothing I return him and let out Grace. The gym leader's nosepass is powerful but that's to be expected.

My body is starting to tremble because of my stupid nerves and I can't allow that. Whatever I feel Grace will be feeling the same. Being the feeling Pokémon sure has its downside. Slapping my cheeks I calm myself (though I did slap a bit too hard). We can do this! Grace has gotten stronger! I believe in her!

"Rock polish!" Roxanne orders. Just like last time I still don't know how rock Pokémon do it. I wish I could see it. Don't really have the time to be wondering about it.

"Growl," I retaliate. This is going to be a tough battle. Rock types are known for their high defenses and attacks but weak special defense. Psychics are known for their high special attack and defense but weak defense. We are about equal in stats. Gotta make sure that Grace doesn't take a hit.

"Use Confusion on the rocks!" It's the same strategy I used against the Team Aqua grunt, from the cave. I think throwing rocks will do more damage than just a normal Confusion.

Just after one rock Roxanne has caught on to my strategy so she counters with Harden. She isn't a gym leader for nothing. Now what? Confusion is the only attack move that Grace knows. Guess I don't have any other choice but to just use it. Good thing Harden only works on defense and not special defense.

"Confusion!"

"Rock Throw!"

"Double Team!"

"Rock Polish!"

"Growl!"

It has turned into a shouting match with our Pokémon desperate to keep up. I need to think up something or this battle will go nowhere and fast. If only Grace knew more moves. Wait, she recently learned a new one.

"Teleport," I say and wait. After she's away, I give the next order, "Calm Mind". This move will boost both Special Attack and Special Defense. Confusion will pack more of a wallop and maybe will win this battle.

Well it comes down to if Confusion now has enough power to end this. Swallowing the lump that formed in the back of my throat I shout the command. Please be enough.

It's strangely quiet to me. The only thing I'm aware of is my own breathing and the humming that's coming from Grace. Eerily the humming stops and it's now dead silent. I don't like it.

"Nosepass is unable to battle the challenger, Sapphire, is the winner!" the loud voice of the referee breaks through the silence.

Without thinking I run straight to Grace. I'm about to pick her up when a warm sensations stops me. Did it get brighter? It's no longer that dark in my black vision. Just as mysteriously and quickly the feeling came it's gone.

"Grace?" I call tentatively.

Instead of hearing the familiar cry of "Ral" I hear "Kirlia". I've never heard that cry from her before. Slowly my hands go out to make sure she is alright. What is this? This isn't my Grace! This Pokémon is taller. There are two small horns instead of one big one. And there seems to be some kind of fur/clothing spreading out from what I might guess to be the hip area. Where's my Grace?

"Seems like today is a day of celebration for you. Not only did you earn a badge but your ralts also evolved," Roxanne says as she walks over to us. "Congratulations."

Grace evolved? Gesturing wildly to the leader to give me a second, I pull out my Pokedex. "Kirlia the emotion Pokémon. Type Psychic. A kirlia has the psychic power to create a rip in the dimensions and see into the future."

"Cool," I breathe.

"It is said to dance with pleasure on sunny mornings." Good thing I named her Grace, than. My newly evolved Pokémon cheers happily and I smile.

Patting Grace on her head I get up and turn my attention on to the patient gym leader and offer a sheepish grin. She clears her throat. She's waiting for something but what? Oh! That's right I just won a badge! Frantically I shove my hand at her (I sure hope that's what she's waiting for and that I don't come off as a jerk).

"Sapphire of Oldale Town," Roxanne begins with a stifle laugh. Made a fool of myself; nothing new. "For defeating me you have earned yourself the Stone Badge." Placing a small, cool, metal object into my hand she takes a step back. "You have taken the first steps into the Pokémon League Challenge. I have high expectations for you."

I can't hold it back any more. "Woo Hoo!" I shout as I jump around. "I did it! I actually did it!"


Hopefully I'll be able to get to Steven in the next chapter! Doubt it. I feel a filler bubbling in me. I'm torturing myself too, I hope you know.