Amber was so bad at acting like she was okay that it was almost disturbing.

It took Argent awhile to notice, since he was not used to being around others and picking up on their emotions, but by the end of the day he noticed that she looked upset, but was hiding it. And he wouldn't have noticed if it weren't so obvious.

She laughed when Braedon told joke, but her laughs were hollow and not as full of life. Argent almost missed her old laugh, which was weird, because she seldom laughed around him anyway. She smiled, but her smiles were lifeless and half-hearted. Every once in awhile, Argent would notice her gazing off into the distance pensively, like her head was full of thoughts that she couldn't escape.

Argent was really... Well, not concerned, because he didn't care either way, but curious. What about the boy made her mope around this way? Was it losing Vivillon?

Argent decided to ask Braedon the next morning, while they were preparing to leave for the Santalune Forest. For curiosity's sake.

So that night, while Amber was busy looking at nothing and pondering Arceus knows what, Argent approached Braedon.

"Do you know what is troubling Amber?" he asked Braedon in a low voice. Not that Amber would have heard. She was busy.

Braedon raised an eyebrow, something Argent noticed was becoming common for the boy. "Why do you care?"

Argent shook his head. "I don't. I just want to know."

Braedon tilted his head. "You just want to know." he echoed. Argent nodded. "Well, it's not my story to tell."

"Fine." Argent began to walk away. He had no idea why he thought Braedon would tell him. Might as well go straight to the source.

"What are you-"

Argent walked up to Amber and cleared his throat. She looked up sharply, as if surprised he was there.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Argent crossed his arms. "I was just about to ask you the same question."

"I'm fine." Amber said, playing nervously with the hem of her shirt.

Braedon glared at Argent. "Leave her alone. She's says that she's fine."

Argent ignored him. "Is it that Vivillon?" Argent asked, though he knew it wasn't. "Because moping won't help you find her."

Amber looked at him. "Who says I want to find her? She's better off in the wild."

"With that boy?" Argent challenged. "Because that's where she'll end up. With him."

Amber bit her lip. "You think so?"

He nodded. "She's easy to find and quite young. I have no doubt that he'll find her. Unless you find her first."

Amber stood up. "You're right!" she said. "We have to find Vivillon. C'mon!" she ran out of the Pokemon Center.

Argent sighed and grabbed his backpack. "Wow, she's rambunctious. Let's go."

Braedon smiled at Argent as he walked out.

"What?" Argent asked.

Braedon chuckled and shook his head. "Nothing." he said. He followed them out.

"The tracks lead this way." Amber said to her companions. "So we go the opposite way." Amber had decided to go back to where they found the cage, reasoning that the bike tracks there would lead away from where Vivillon was caught, and that Vivillon would go back to where it was caught. The place where she was caught was probably close to her home. If not, it was as good a place to start looking as any.

"That leads to The Santalune Forest." Braedon said. "It makes sense for her to live there. And that's where we're headed anyway. Let's-"

Suddenly, they heard a scream. A high pitched, terrified scream, coming from the forest.

"C'mon!" Braedon yelled. The three of them ran into the forest.

They arrived in a clearing. There was Austin, holding a fainted Minccino in his arms and staring up in horror at the bird above him.

With a beak and claws sharper than most blades and a red and tan body, Talonflame was one of the most fearsome Pokemon Amber had ever seen.

"Talon!" it yelled as it charged the boy.

Amber acted instinctively. "Tauros!" she yelled, pressing the button on his Pokeball and throwing it.

Tauros appeared in front of Austin, causing Talonflame to stop in midair and fly backwards.

Amber ran to shield Austin, while Braedon and Argent ran to the other side of the field so the created a triangle. It was a common Pokemon catching tactic, where each person surrounds the Pokemon and traps it in. Or in this case, so they could all hit it at once.

Amber turned to her friends. They too had figured out what had happened- Austin had tried to catch Talonflame, and now it was pissed. "You guys knock it out of the sky, and I can knock it out with Stone Edge." she yelled.

They nodded. "Go, Sableye!" Braedon yelled. He threw their Pokeballs.

"Honedge!" Argent did the same.

"Tyrunt!" Amber released him.

The three Pokemon appeared.

"Talon!" Talonflame let out a jet of flames Sableye.

"Nightshade!" Braedon told Sableye. Sableye shot a ray of black light, which met the jet of flames in a fiery explosion. Amber, Braedon, and Argent covered their eyes to avoid the dust kicked up by the explosion.

"Honedge, Shadow Ball!" Argent commanded. Honedge shot a ball of dark energy at Talonflame, who knocked it away with it's wing without breaking a sweat.

"Keep going!" Argent yelled. "It block can't forever. Shadow Ball!"

"Help out with Nightshade!" Braedon commanded.

The two launched their attacks, but Talonflame's body became wrapped in fire. It began to dodge each attack, getting faster with each dodge.

"Scary Face, Tauros! Slow him down!" Tauros obeyed, twisting it's face into a scowl. The flames around Talonflame dissipated and a dark Aura replaced it, surrounding Talonflame. It began to fly like it was encased in jelly.

"Now, attack!" Braedon yelled. Both Pokemon launched a Shadow Ball/Nightshade combo at Talonflame, hitting it out of the air.

Amber saw her chance. "Now! Stone Edge!"

Tyrunt hit the ground with his tail. Jagged rocks emerged from the ground and shot towards Talonflame.

"Flame!" Talonflame cried out as it was knocked out of the sky.

"Yeah!" Amber cried. "Pokeball, go!"

She threw a Pokeball at Talonflame.

Right at the last second, Talonflame shot into the air from the ground, dodging the Pokeball.

Talonflame turned once it was out of range of attacks and began rocket towards Amber and Austin.

"Horn Attack!" Amber yelled desperately, jumping to the side. She hoped Austin had the sense to do the same.

Tauros jumped forward and caught the brunt of the attack with it's horns. Talonflame began to push Tauros, who pushed back even harder. Then Talonflame's body became swathed in flame, burning Tauros. The flames then surrounded Tauros.

"Tauros!" Amber yelled as it's legs gave out and it collapsed.

"Retaliate!" Argent yelled. His Honedge flew forward. Moving like someone was holding it, it slashed at Talonflame. Talonflame dodged each Slash, then shot a close range Flamethrower at Honedge, knocking it across the field.

"Now, Sableye!" Braedon yelled. Talonflame's shadow came to life. It was Sableye using Shadow Sneak. Sableye wrapped it's shadowy body around Talonflame.

"Talon!" it yelled. It's body once again became wrapped in flame, causing Sableye to let go and cry out in pain. He fell to the ground.

Amber commanded Tyrunt to use Stone Edge, forcing Talonflame to dodge. This gave Braedon time to call back Sableye. Argent did the same to Honedge.

Talonflame's body became wrapped in fire again. Amber racked her brains for what to do. Tauros had fainted. Sableye and Honedge too. All she had was Tyrunt, who couldn't take out Talonflame alone.

Talonflame shot towards Amber.

"Stone Edge!" Amber yelled, because she couldn't think of anything else. Jagged stones jutted from the ground again, forcing Talonflame to veer off course.

"Tyrunt, now use Ancient Power!" Amber yelled.

Large boulders began to form above Tyrunt. He launched them at Talonflame.

Talonflame dodged each one effortlessly, getting closer to Tyrunt with each dodge. It sped towards them, encasing it's body with fire.

Amber covered her face, because she knew that she wouldn't have time to move. She heard Braedon scream her name.

"Vivill!"

Amber heard a loud noise. She moved her arms and saw a brilliant explosion of fire above her. Talonflame fell from the smoke to the ground.

Amber stared at it's limp body, unable to move herself.

"Amber!" Braedon yelled as he and Argent ran to her.

"Amber!" Braedon pulled her into a bone crushing hug. "Are you alright?"

Amber nodded slowly. "W-what happened? Not that I'm complaining, but how did I survive?"

Braedon pointed up. Amber followed his finger and saw Vivillon, their friend, flying above her. She flew to Amber and landed on the back of her head.

"You saved me?" Amber stuttered. Then she grabbed Vivillon and twirled her around. "You saved us! Thank you!" she squealed, hugging Vivillon. The Scale Pokemon let it happen, even though it was messing up her wings.

"Tyrunt-ty!" Tyrunt thanked her.

Braedon nodded. "She released this green stuff and Talonflame blew up!

Argent frowned. "That was Powder, Vivillon's special move. It causes Fire type attacks to backfire and blow up in their user's face." he threw a looked at Talonflame. "I guess I should catch it..."

"Catch it?" Braedon said. "It tried to kill us!"

Argent sighed. "Yes, but we need it for our list. Besides, this way he won't be able to hurt anyone else. Hmm. I'll use a Luxury Ball. Hopefully that will calm him down." Argent fished the Pokeball from his bag and threw it at Talonflame. It disappeared inside it. The ball clicked once... Twice... Then with one final click, Talonflame was caught.

Amber hugged Vivillon tighter. "Great job! Thanks to you we're alive, and we caught a Talonflame!"

"You saved us?"

They all turned around. They had forgotten about Austin, who was still on the floor clutching Minccino.

Amber was to tired to feel furious. "Yeah, she did."

Austin returned Minccino and stood up. "I'm so sorry, I-"

Amber forgot her weariness. She slapped him. "You're sorry, you little prick? You nearly got all of us killed because you wanted to be a damn Pokemon Hunter-"

Braedon grinned. "I love it when she gets like this." he told Argent.

"-and you have the nerve to say sorry?" Amber shrieked. "I'm going to-"

"Wait!" Austin interrupted. "I don't want to be a Pokemon Hunter anymore-"

"Damn right you don't." Amber growled. "Wait, what?"

The boy shook his head. "I don't want to be a Pokemon Hunter!" he yelled eagerly. " Xavier Knight couldn't of taken out that Talonflame like that! You guys are way cooler!"

Argent looked at Braedon. "He does know we would have lost without Vivillon?" Braedon shrugged.

Amber looked at Braedon as well, then back at the kid. "Um... Thank you?" she was too confused to be angry.

The boy smiled and hugged her. Amber looked ready to bolt. "Of course! Now I'm going to train to become the World's Greatest Pokemon Trainer! I just have to heal Minccino!" he ran off with Minccino's pokeball.

"...What just happened?" Amber asked them.

"I believe we have a fan club." Braedon said. "At least he learned his lesson."

"What lesson?" Argent snorted. "He's just going to change his mind when the next thing comes along. Next he'll want to be the world's greatest Pokemon gardener or something."

It wasn't that funny. Or funny at all. But the three of them found themselves laughing all the same


.Amber waited until Braedon was showering to talk to Argent.

"Argent?" Amber said quietly. The boy was pouring over a map of Kalos and his Pokedex, cataloging Pokemon that lived in certain places.

"Hmm?" he looked up. "Oh. Amber. Make whatever you're saying quick. I'm working. Someone on this trip has too."

Amber nearly changed her mind when he said that, but she didn't. She had made up her mind.

"Oh... It's nothing... Just... Thanks, I guess," Amber muttered, her eyes glued to the floor. "For motivating me to find Vivillon. If you hadn't, we wouldn't of found and saved Austin."

Argent looked back at his map. "Oh that? You're right, it was nothing. I was just stating the logical conclusion I came to about the boy and Vivillon, because I thought you would want to know."

Amber nodded. She stood there for a few minutes. After a while, she blurted out "DoyouwanttogoouttoeatwithBraedonandI."

Argent looked up. "What?"

Amber cleared her throat. "I mean... Do you want to go out to eat with us? We were going to dine at this restaurant Braedon knows about, and... I wanted to know if you wanted to come."

Argent didn't look up. "I'm fine. I already ate."

Amber nodded. "Well... Okay. Sorry."

Argent didn't respond. He just kept staring at the map.

Amber left the room and waited for Braedon, then they headed out the Pokemon Center together.

Amber looked around. It really was beautiful at night. The river reflected the starry sky perfectly, making it appear that the water Pokemon were floating in a stream of stars.

"So, did you ask him?" Braedon asked her after they had walked a short distance.

Amber nodded. "Yeah. He said no. I don't know why you made me ask him."

Braedon shrugged. "He hates me. I figured he'd at least consider the offer if it was from you."

Amber looked her friend in the eye. It was their unspoken agreement that when one did this, the other was expected to tell the truth. "If you think he hates you...Why did you want him to come?"

Braedon shrugged. "I didn't... I just thought... Remember earlier today, when you were moping?"

"I wasn't moping, " Amber said. "But yes. What of it?"

Braedon broke eye contact to look at the sky. Amber followed his gaze. "Well... He asked about you."

"About me?" Amber said.

Braedon nodded. "Yeah. It sounded like he was worried about you. So I figured he was finally warming up to us."

"I'm sure he will." Amber said. "He just doesn't know us. And you do kinda annoy him."

Braedon grinned. "All part of my charm, Am."

Amber rolled her eyes, which were still pointed upward. The stars really looked beautiful tonight.

Wait. Was one of them... Moving? Towards Amber?

Next thing she knew, it collided with her face.

"Vivill!" it cried.

"Vivillon!" Amber yelled. The Scale Pokemon fluttered before her. "What are you doing here?"

"Vi-vi! She said. She fluttered to Amber's head and landed there.

"I think she wants to go with you." Braedon said with a smile.

"Do you?" Amber asked her.

"Viv!" Vivillon agreed.

Amber pulled a Pokeball off her belt. "Okay. Welcome to my team!"

Amber pressed the button on the ball. A red beam of light hit Vivillon and she disappeared.

The Pokeball clicked once in Amber's hand.

Amber felt a grin spread slowly across her face, like the ripples of the water- starting out small, then expanding.

"I caught a Vivillon!" she cried.


Argent held his head in his hands. This was too much.

Or, at least it seemed like too much. Argent was looking for the location of Zoroa, to mark on his map, but couldn't find it on his Pokedex or the Holonet. It was beginning to stress him out.

He wondered if he should of took up Amber's offer. Even a night with Braedon would be more enjoyable than this. It was boring, to be honest.

But you have to. Argent heard his Dad in his head. Don't you want to be the best? Unlike your brothers?

Argent sat up straight. No. He would not fail Father as his brothers did.

If he were to do that, he would never see father again.


A/N: So, we have a new Team Member! I really love Vivillon. They're one of my favorite bug types, if not my favorite.

And what is Argent talking about? What secrets is he hiding? Will he ever thaw out and befirend Amber and Braedon? Read to find out!

A/N 2: I'm not happy with this chapter. Grr. Please review and tell me how to fix it.