It was just like Pike said, we didn't arrive till nightfall. I woke up from my nap, stretched my paws and my back, got off the couch and exited the cafeteria. On the deck, several people were chatting, some were impatiently waiting to arrive, while others fell asleep from the long wait. The sky was clear tonight, stars and various constellations were shining in the night sky. The moon was almost full too. The moon's reflection and its light can be seen reflected on the calm surface of the water, disturbed only by the boat's waves. I went to the front of the ferry. An island, which Pike said was called Honey Island, was just up ahead. Lights from the houses and streetlamps illuminated the dark silhoutte of the island. Probably a few more minutes until we get there.

Although, Honey Island is in the Decolore Islands, an archipelago between the Kanto Region and the Unova region, not my destination, the Kalos Region. But Victini said that several islands did trips to the Kalos region, so this shouldn't be a problem. The wind created by the ferry's acceleration just flows through my fur. And I'll finally be able to do that thing...

I looked to my right and saw Pike sleeping on the very front of the ship. He looked so peaceful sleeping. I went over to him, and nudged him a few times. He blinked a few times before he knew what was happening. "Urgh... you?", Pike asked. He got up, and looked at the island. "Oh, finally!" he cheered, "Honey Island! Land ho!" He jumped up and down in delight, while I just stared gloomily at the island. He didn't seem to notice my expression. "By the way..." Pike said to me, "I never got your name...?"

"Loner." I answered simply.

"Loner? But you're a girl!"

How many pokemon will I meet until someone can tell me that I'm actually a boy?

"I'm a male!" I told him.

"Oh..." he mumbled, "sorry...". I just rolled my eyes.

The ferry was starting to slow down, I can feel the wind weakening with my facial fur. The docks were just up ahead. The ferry took a minute to line up with the dock, before it was ready for the passengers to get off. I jumped off the boat, while Pike tried to leap but slipped and would have fell into the water if I hadn't saved him.

"Thanks!"

"No problem!"

We walked away from the ferry and to the town. We were at the town square, by the looks of it. It was a small town, it had stone brick pathways and there were two-storied houses that were arranged in a line with small fountains in front of some of them. Opposite of the houses was a small park, its periphery marked by spiky metal fences and lamp posts. In the park was a smaller fountain than the one in the square, but also lots of trees, bushes, benches, and flower patches. Also opposite of the houses were shops, like a bakery, merchant stalls, and even a warehouse. It's a nice simplistic design to a small town.

"Um... Excuse me?"

I looked behind me, and there I saw Shelvina the Snivy, Maverick the Meowstic, and Diadora the Purrloin A.K.A 'The Cat Burglar'. They stared at me and a confused Pike, and then huddled up to discuss something. During that time I caught the words 'real', 'him', 'questions', and 'bandages'. After that they turned around and Shelvina came up to me.

"Err... This might be rude to ask..." she said, "but... is your name 'Loner'?"

I simply nodded. Then Maverick came up to me.

"What's with the bandages?" he asked.

They really want to make sure, do they?

"I had an... accident..." I answered, "Well, more like a murder attempt. I was at a cliff's edge because I heard a violin playing, and turns out it was Viel the Zorua! After a little chat, he pushed me off the cliff, and I landed onto the thorn bushes. But then –"

Maverick raised a hand to stop me from talking. He and the rest huddled up, while Pike just stared at me strangely. "What's up with them?" he asked.

"They just want a confirmation." I told him.

The gang soon stopped discussing, and then Diadora came to me. "Ok, so you almost fit the bill," she said, "now, answer this! What are our names and where did you meet us, if you really are 'Loner'."

"Geez, Diadora!" I complained at her, "But fine, I'll say it." "Shelvina," I said, pointing at her, "you and I met at the woods. We both wanted to go to Kalos, and you agreed to accompany me to Nuvema Town Port. From there, we headed to Nimbasa City." Shelvina looked stunned.

"Maverick," I said, pointing at the Meowstic, "you and I met at Nimbasa City, at a dark alley. You dragged me out of there, and into the streets. You thought I was a terrorist of some sort, but then Shelvina convinced you."

"And?", Maverick asked, raising an eyebrow, "After that?"

"You came with us, and we left Nimbasa." I told him, "We found a cave, we stayed there, and Shelvina invited you to join the group rather than going to Kalos alone. You agreed." I paused to catch my breath. "The next morning, you found me unusually happy and I brought you and Shelvina to a vulpix named Pierre's grave. Then we left for Castelia City." Maverick seemed deeply impressed.

"And finally, Diadora," I said, pointing at the Purrloin, "We met at Castelia City, the edge of it. You had stolen a man's wallet at that time, but gave it back. You told us, that you are the famous – and retired – Cat Burglar. That same night, you stole a baker's box full of rare berries, and had to fight a Servine. You gave it to me, Shelvina, and Maverick, but I didn't eat any. Shelvina invited you to join, and the four of us happily made our way to Nacrene City!".

I was so tired from saying all that. "There, now are you convinced?"

At first, they just stared at me blankly. But then, they all lunged at me and squeezed me into a veyr, very, very tight hug. "Loner, it's really you!" Shelvina exclaimed happily, using her vines and her arms to hug me.

"S-sure thing..." I said, gasping for air, "B-b-but c-could you let me g-go first...?". All of them stopped hugging me and waited while I was trying to get some oxygen in my lungs.

"Loner, how?" Shelvina asked, tears of joy coming out of her eyes, "How did you survive?"

"Umm... You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I said, "but I was rescued by the legendary pokemon Victini!"

Shelvina looked surprised that I made such an 'outrageous' claim, while Maverick and Diadora burst out laughing. "Victini?" Maverick laughed, "Loner, I've heard a lot of things but not something as far-fetched as that!"

"And besides," Diadora said, "no one is even sure that Victini is still alive somewhere, extinct, or even existed in the first place!"

"Victini is real!" Pike cried out, "He's real, real, and most definitely real! I've seen him, and I'm friends with him! Loner's story ain't fiction, I saw him run across the sea and onto the ferry with Victini's power!". Wow, Pike must have taken Diadora's words about Victini's unknown status into a personal insult.

Shelvina looked... what's the word... flabbergasted, while Maverick and Diadora laughed even more. "You've got to be kidding me mate!" Maverick laughed, "A friend? Really? What a joke!"

"Like I said kid," Diadora said, approaching the outraged Pike, "Victini's current status in unknown, even Unova's top biologists aren't even sure now. And Loner's explanation is already crazy, now you come up to me and say that you knew a legendary pokemon as a friend?"

I wanted to defend Pike, but when I was about to say something, Maverick hushed me. "Just stop, okay? There's just no way! Even if Victini does exist, it's a one in a million chances!". Pike and Diadora glared at each other fiercely. They've just met, but now they're probably enemies now. Pike's tail suddenly start to shine. I realized that it had turned into shiny metal. And as fast as he could, Pike swung his tail at Diadora and it hit her right in the face. The hit launched her four blocks away, and she crashed onto the brick road.

"That's what you get for insulting my friend!" Pike yelled at her, and he ran off down the road. Maverick just stared at him, while Shelvina grabbed Diadora with her vines and brought her back.

"Diadora!" Shelvina said shakily, "A-a-are you okay? Th-that was quite a h-hit..."

"Uhh..." Diadora groaned, "I'm fine. That brat, next time we meet I won't be so nice..."

I sighed, told them that I was gonna go on a night walk, and walked down the road Pike went. I was hoping to catch him, to apologize about Maverick and Diadora's behaviour. I walked down the stone brick road, past the houses, shops, and stalls. I got to a point where there was a small alley between a small restaurant and a flower shop on my left. I heard something coming from there. Sounded like... crying. I approached the noise, and to my surprise it was Pike.

He was behind two garbage cans, curled up and leaning against the wall, tears coming out of his eyes. Pike noticed me. "Wh-what?" he croaked.

"I... I just want to say sorry" I said.

"For what?"

"For Maverick and Diadora's behaviour," I said, coming up closer to him, "I'm really sorry, they're... not very open to stuff like this..."

"Well they should be!" Pike said, turning his back on me, "They should understand, that... that they hurt my feelings! They said all those mean things about Victini!"

"I know, I know, Pike..." I softly said to him, "But could you look at me first?"

Pike turned around to face me, wiping his tears.

"Look, they just don't know, okay?" I told him, "They don't know your relation to Victini, and that's why they said that. They wouldn't know that your feelings would be hurt, they wouldn't know that Victini meant everything to you during your childhood."

"Are... are you sure?"

"This is just a misunderstanding Pike, you and them had just met. And it's their belief that Victini's status is unknown, but you know the truth!"

"But they still shouldn't have said that about Victini!" Pike cried.

"You're taking an insult to Victini as a personal insult," I told him, "but I understand – he's your friend – and you love him in a brotherly-friendly way."

"The point is, Pike," I said, "I'm really sorry that Diadora and Maverick said all that. Can you forgive them?"

Pike looked down at the floor for a moment. I thought that he was going to burst into even more tears or start shouting at me, but instead, he pulled me into a tight hug.

"Sure! I forgive them and you!" Pike exclaimed, some tears coming out of his eyes. I don't normally take hugs back then, but I've changed, so I hugged him too.

"Thanks," I whispered into his ear.

"You know Loner..." Pike said, calmer now, "Judging by your name, I expect you to stay away from civilization, but you... I see your true self now...". I gave him a confused face because I had absolutely no idea what he's talking about. "I thought that you were actually a loner," Pike explained, "but you care for others. You wanted to know Viel despite that he was a murderer, and you came after me even though we just met and that I have no relationship to you at all! You... you... you are what someone would call..."

Pike paused for a minute, before finally saying, "What someone would call a good friend."

I was shocked and touched at the same time to hear him say that. I didn't know that he viewed me like that. I hugged him even tighter, and so did he. Minutes past by before we heard someone calling my name.

"Loner! Loner!" the voice called, "Dont' tell me you ran off! Loner!"

"I have to go," I told Pike sadly. He looked disappointed that I had to leave him. I didn't want to leave him so I asked him, "Want to follow me?"

He looked delighted and upset at the same time. "I'd love to," Pike said, "But... what if... what if it happens again?" I knew what he was talking about.

"I promise you that it won't happen again." I told him, "And if it does, I'll make sure that you won't be the only one offended. Victini saved my life." Pike looked deeply touched. "So? Wanna come with me?" He nodded and we both went out of the alley.

Shelvina, Maverick, and Diadora were staring off into the sky, stargazing by my guess. They were on the upper part of a slope, the lower part being washed by waves again and again, like hitting the side of a boat. Shelvina turned around, and saw me and Pike. "Ah, you're back Loner!" she exclaimed, "And with your little pikachu friend I see!". Maverick and Diadora also turned around.

"Oh, it's you..." Diadora sneered at Pike, trying to contain her anger, "It's 'nice' to see you again." Pike gulped upon hearing that.

"Now, Loner," Maverick said, walking towards me, "back to business. You were pushed off by Viel, fell into the thorn bushes, and then what? Who saved you?"

"I already told you," I said to him, "I was saved by Victini!"

"Loner, just enough already!" Diadora hissed at me, "Enough with this 'I was saved by Victini' crap! Who. Saved. You!?"

Shelvina was staying out of this, because she had nothing to argue about. "I told you again and again," I repeated, "I was saved by Victini!"

"Loner, please..." I heard Shelvina whisper to me, "Just say something else, they won't believe you unless someone can prove it!"

"I can prove it!" Pike exclaimed suddenly, apparently overhearing Shelvina, "I saw you run across the ocean and jump onto the ferry this afternoon thanks to Victini's power, and Victini himself appeared shortly after!"

"Your testimony does not help," Maverick said "human and Pokémon can both lie, and unless that you have proof that Victini even existed in the first place..."

"Would this be enough proof?" a voice asked.

We looked behind us, and there was another group there, consisting of three Pokémon. On the left was a brown bunny, with creamish-yellow tufts of fur on its neck, ears, and lower body. One of its ears is shorter than the other, and its feet are the same color as the fur tufts. On the right, is what can be best described as close to a chinchilla, but with a light grey body, a longer tail, and two tall ears with white tips. It looked like a fix of furry and fluffy. And in the middle, levitating above the ground, was none other than the legendary Pokémon Victini! "I overheard you guys talking about me, so here I am!" he said.

Maverick and Diadora just stared like dumbheads. "B-b-but..." Diadora stammered, and then she fainted in the spot. Maverick stared at Victini just a little longer before he followed Diadora and fainted as well. The ones who didn't faint just stared awkwardly at the fainted Pokémon.

Pike was about to say something before Victini cut him off, "No worries Pike," he said, "I've heard insults here and there before. Please try and don't turn it into an insult to you, okay?" Pike seemed embarrassed. Wait, how did Victini even know that Pike turned their insults to Victini to himself? Maybe the conversation just now gave it away...

Pike's face brightened up suddenly, and he was smirking at Maverick and Diadora, still fainted. Pike used Thunderbolt on them, shocking them back to life. "Argh!" They both yelled in pain, "What the hell!?" Just before they were about to beat up Pike, Victini got in between them.

"Steady now lads," he said. Diadora and Maverick were not about to give up on beating up Pike, and pushed him away. Suddenly out of nowhere there came lightning and a massive fireball that struck where Maverick and Diadora stood. "And that," Victini giggled, "is what you get for not 'steadying'."

"Thanks Vic!" Pike said to Victini. Victini just smiled.

"By the way," Victini turned to Shelvina, "You're a girl right?". Shelvina looked confused, but she nodded. "Great! I came over to Honey Island to make sure Loner got here all right, after that, I ran into these two girls," he pointed to the Buneary and Minccino behind him, "I took them on a tour of the island, and at our final stop, I overheard your people's little argument here, and that's how I'm here. So then I think it's okay to leave girls with girls, so I'm just gonna leave them with you, okay?"

Shelvina shook her head in disbelief, "W-w-what!?" But Victini had disappeared! "Well, that makes me, Loner, Maverick, Diadora, the pikachu, buneary, and minccino. So that's one, two, three, ... seven pokemon in our group! Phew, rough first day on Decolore!"

"So... what do we do now?" Pike asked Shelvina.

"I'd say that we get some sleep," she said, "you two girls too!" she added, pointing at the Buneary and Minccino.

"I-I know a good spot..." the Buneary muttered softly.

"Where is it?" I asked her. She led us further down the road, and into an alleyway. The alleyway was a dead end by a wooden fence, but she jumped over it, and we followed her, dragging Maverick and Diadora behind us. There was a path made of pebbles and dry leaves on the opposite of the fence. We followed it, and it let us to – surprisingly – an inn for pokemon! "H-here it is..." she said.

"Wow!" Shelvina said in amazement, "I didn't know that there's stuff especially made for Pokémon!". Me and Pike nodded in agreement.

"There's lots of places with stuff like this!" the Minccino joined in the conversation, "In every single region in fact! These places are built by pokemon themselves! Funny enough, humans never find them..."

We entered the inn, where I noticed a sign saying 'Sand-Chew Inn : For Stays and Eats!' The inn was rather spacious - for a pokemon - and like the minccino said, it's hard to believe that humans never found it. It was like a hotel. We went over to the desk labelled 'Receptionist', and there was a watchog behind the desk. "Seven of you..." the watchog muttered quietly. It took several minutes for the receptionist to think of a room planning before finally saying "Buneary and Minccino, you're at room 105. Pikachu and Lillipup, you're at room 201. Snivy, you're at room 202, with the fainted ones of course." We thanked the receptionist, and headed to our respective rooms.

The room was quite nice. It was a tiny room, but it had a comfy bed, a table, a chair, a small window, nice lighting, and even fruits for the guests. Pike went straight for the fruit and started chomping down, while I got onto the bed to sleep.

What a tiring night, I thought. A rough start on Decolore, but we'll get there...