Chapter 7: Seeking Shelter with a Twist!

The pitch black clouds boom with thunder, and flash with electricity. In the forest is a large and gloomy manor, wrapped from the roof to the porch in vines, the shining lightning makes a portrait inside glow. The portrait depicts an old woman with a kind smile, who wore a green brooch around her neck. Outside, rain began to fall, as five figures ran through the rain.

By the window of the manor, a shadow watched the five run towards its home. Even the flashing boom revealed nothing about it, except a large blue eye, set into a glare. The shadow turned and floated away, to do what must be done.

OCXY

We ran through the rain to the porch of the house we saw. "Chimchar! Vivillon! Are you okay!?"

"Chiiiiim!" My fire type called in distress, not liking the rain at all.

"Vivillon!" My butterfly-like pokemon flew beside me, shaking her head to get the rain out of her eyes.

"My hairs getting ruined!" Serena complained.

"Oh man!" Ash yelled.

"We're almost there!" Clemont called.

"Dedenne! Hold still!" Bonnie cried as the electric type squirmed in the rain.

Finally though, we reached the porch of the dark house and managed to dry off. "Man, what a storm!" Ash said as he dried Pikachu off.

"Froak..." Froakie croaked in disappointment, he quite liked the rain. I dried Chimchar and Vivillon off as best I could in the meantime.

"Awww, why does there have to be thunder?" Bonnie asked as a loud boom resounded. "Eeek!" She squeaked in fear, backing against the door, which she noticed was partly open. "Hey, it's open!" She said as she rushed inside.

"Ah! Bonnie, wait a second!" Clemont called after her. We all walked in nonetheless to find a large parlor with a grand staircase. There was dust and...*Shudder*...cobwebs everywhere.

"Hellooooo? Anybody there!? Helloooo!?" Bonnie called.

"Dedenne Denneeeee!" Dedenne called as well.

Clemont knocked on the open door. "Hellooo? Anybody?"

"Helloooo?" Practically all of us called out.

"Pikaaa?" Pikachu called.

"Froakiiiie?" Froakie also called.

"This place looks abandoned..." I said to myself.

Clemont walked over to a nearby light. "The electricity looks like it could still work, let me see if I can find a switch..." No sooner had he said that then when the lights faded on.

"That's better!" Serena praised.

"Thanks Clemont!" Ash thanked him.

Clemont turned to us and raised an eyebrow. "Huh? But I didn't do anything."

"So then...?" Serena started

"...Who did?" Ash finished.

"That's funny." Bonnie said as Dedenne agreed with her.

"M-Maybe because this house is so old, it could be...haunted!" Serena cried, which gave Ash goosebumps, Serena placed a hand over her mouth. "Oops, did I say that out loud?"

I just rolled my eyes. A couple of lights faded on and people were already jumping to the conclusion of ghosts, yep, I didn't believe in that kinda thing. But trust me, I was scared of the dark, the unknown...

"Chim!?" Chimchar cried in fright, locking onto my leg with a steel tight grip.

"I-It was probably motion sensors!" Clemont suggested in a slight fluster.

Ash looked at him. "Motion sensors?"

"In an old house like this?" I added.

"O-Of course it looks old, but this house MUST have the latest technology! Hahahaha..haha...ha..." He chuckled nervously.

Suddenly the doors flew shut! "The doors!" Serena cried.

"AHHHHhhhhnnnd the doors must be motion sensor as well!" He cried with a fake smile, sweat streaming down his face like a waterfall.

Ash ran over and tried to open them, but to no avail. "It's locked!"

"What if we're stuck in a house that likes to eat people?" Serena suggested, making both Ash and Clemont get goosebumps before she covered her mouth. "Did I say that out loud again?"

Well, the notion of a house that eats you was enough to start up a certain fire type. "Chiiiiiiiimchaaaaar!" He wailed as I once again had to comfort him.

"Vivillon!" Vivillon flew over to Chimchar and comforted him quite quickly.

"Thanks Vivillon." I said, making her smile as I put Chimchar down.

"I suggest we look for anybody else who could live here!" Clemont suggested, to which we all nodded.

Unknown to me. Two pokemon were watching us. One watched with curious eyes, whilst the other watched with an eye of malice.

We began walking up the stairs very cautiously, calling out to anybody who might be here, eventually we came to a hallway with suits of armour lined up on either side.

"This house really DOES seem deserted." Ash said, looking at the evident dust.

"I'm sure someone could be here!" Bonnie said as she skipped along. It was then that the suit of armour next to her started rattling!

"Bonnie, look out!" Clemont cried.

"Huh?" Bonnie said as Clemont's Aipom Arm grabbed her and pulled her away just as the suit of armour crashed to the ground!

"That was too close..." Clemont sighed as he let Bonnie down. "These suits of armour are literally falling apart!"

"Or maybe something is trying to get rid off us..." Serena whispered, giving the other two guys goosebumps. "I did it again didn't I?" She said through her hands.

I then felt something, call me crazy but...I felt a presence, just the air was heavy with it. So I turned around...

...just in time to see a figure disappear round a corner.

I stepped back in shock. "D-Did anybody else see that!?"

"...S-See what?" Serena asked.

"I thought I saw something." I almost breathed.

"Iiiiit's obviously a trick of the light!" Clemont said frantically. "Nobody else saw it, after all!"

"Froakie." Even Froakie hadn't seen it. I just continued to stare at where it was...

We were walking along again when a lightning filled boom lit up a face in the dark! "AHHHHHH!" All of us screamed.

"Oh...it's just a portrait." Clemont sighed in relief. I looked closer to find it was an old lady, she seemed to be the only nice thing in this mansion.

"Who do you think she is?" Bonnie asked.

"Maybe she owns this place?" Ash suggested.

"Or maybe she's died but is still around if you know what I mean..." Serena said, having the same effect as last time.

I meanwhile examined the portrait, unlike everything else, this picture seemed...clean, and well cared for. The only question was...why?

We were walking along once again when suddenly we heard a scream!...Why did it sound slightly familiar? "What was that!?" Ash asked.

As Serena jumped to the conclusion of ghosts again Clemont butted in. "I-It was probably just the wind! Yes! It could blow through these empty halls and sound just like a scream! That's it!" His tone of voice didn't give me much confidence.

"Hey, Elliot? Where's Chimchar?" Bonnie suddenly asked.

I turned to her to find neither Chimchar nor Vivillon behind us. "Chimchar? Vivillon?" I asked, then calling out "Chimchar!? Vivillon!? Where are you!?"

"Chimchaaaaar! Where are yooooou?" Bonnie cried.

"Vivillon! Say something!" Serena called.

"Froakiiiiiiie!" Froakie cried.

"Pikaaaaaa!"

"Dedenneeeeeeee!" All of the pokemon called out.

There was no response.

"They couldn't have gotten lost could they?" Clemont asked.

"Whatever happened, we need to find them NOW!" Ash declared.

"Don't worry Chimchar and Vivillon! Bonnie and Dedenne will find you!" Bonnie called out.

As I turned to follow them, I saw it.

A blue ghostly eye attached to a shadowy body, fade into the darkness.

"Froakie...PLEASE tell me you saw that..." I whispered.

"Froak?" Froakie croaked, as a way of saying 'I didn't'.

I'm not going to lie, at that point in time, I was terrified out of my mind.

OCXY

Unbeknownst to our 'heroes', Chimchar and Vivillon were in a seperate part of the manor. Since it would be far too confusing to follow it in pokespeak, I will translate for you.

How can I do this?

Secret.

As a loud thunderclap was heard Chimchar screamed in fear and leaped onto Vivillon, wrapping his arms around her. "Vivi!" He wailed. "It's so scaryyyyyy! I miss Elel and Bonbon and Denden and Frofro!"

Vivillon smiled, the names Chimchar gave to people were kinda cute in her opinion. "Don't worry Chimchar, we just got a little lost, that's all. We'll find them in no time."

Chimchar hopped off of her with a sniffle. "Okay Vivi..."

She fluttered next to him. "Do you want to hold my foot?"

Chimchar nodded, so she offered him one of her feet to hold, which he took, and she led him along the passageway.

"G...o...t..."

Chimchar immediantely latched onto Vivillon. "What was that scary noise!?"

Vivillon, truthfully, was scared, but she had to be brave for the little fire type. "Don't worry, it was probably just the wind..."

"Ge...ut..."

"That wasn't the wind, Vivi!" Chimchar cried.

Vivillon scanned the area quickly, then thought of something. "Chimchar...don't turn around okay?"

Chimchar nodded as Vivillon slowly turned around.

"GET OUT!" A voice roared as a monstrous shadow rose up to devour Vivillon.

"EEEEEEEEEK!" She screamed as she grabbed a screaming Chimchar and shot down the corridor as fast as her wings could carry her.

"WAAAAAAH! I don't like being scared Vivi!" Chimchar cried. "I just wanna play with Bonbon and Denden again!"

"Don't worry Chimchar! I won't let anything hurt you!" She shouted as she continued to fly.

Meanwhile, the shadow watched them go. "I won't let anyone touch this place..." It said as it floated back into the darkness.

OCXY

We were walking down a corridor, still calling for Chimchar and Vivillon, when we turned and saw it. A small pokemon with glowing blue eyes.

"AHHHHH!" All of us, minus me and Bonnie screamed. Was this the pokemon I saw? No...it's eyes looked kind and curious, not steely and hateful.

Suddenly it turned and floated away. "Hey! Wait up!" Bonnie called as she and me chased after it.

"Bonnie! Elliot! Wait!" Clemont called out to us as they followed us.

The pokemon turned a lot of corners, but me and Bonnie were still in hot pursuit, until I couldn't hear the other three behind us. We eventually came to a door and opened it to find ourselves in a very plain room, with only a blue rubber ball and the pokemon, which I could now see clearly. It looked like it was some kind of walking cat as I got out my Pokedex.

'Espurr, the Restraint pokemon, Espurr's psychic energy can travel hundreds of feet, blasting anything in its way.'

"So, are you a ghost?" Bonnie asked.

"Espurr." It said in reply before picking up the blue ball with Psychic, and then throwing it to Bonnie. She caught it with a laugh and passed it back to it, who purred with happiness. It then turned to me. "Espurr?"

"Sure, I'll play." I nodded as she passed the ball to me, and I gently threw it back, making the Espurr even happier. Even Froakie and Dedenne joined in. Although Dedenne fell off Bonnie's head, and when she dove to catch the antenna pokemon, Espurr saved them both with Psychic.

"Wow! How did you do that?" Bonnie asked before realising the obvious. "Wait, that was Psychic?"

"Espurr!" Said pokemon confirmed.

"So wait, are you the one who turned on the lights and locked the door?" Bonnie asked.

"Espurr, purr!" It said happily in response, signifying a yes.

I nodded. "I knew it, all things have a logical explanation."

"Why'd you do that?" Bonnie continued to ask.

Espurr walked over to a different door and opened it with Psychic. "Espurr, purr!" She gestured to us, so we walked in.

"What's in here?" Bonnie asked. What we found was a beautifully painted little playroom filled with baby rides and toys.

"Es, Espurr!" Espurr said from atop the slide, then sliding down it with a "Puuuuuuurr!" Bonnie gained a huge childish smile and slid down as well with Dedenne, I think I was a little big for it, but that didn't stop Froakie sliding down it, lucky. "Espurr! Esp Esp Espurr!" Espurr said, gesturing to a wooden rocking Ponyta.

"Okay!" Bonnie smiled as she placed Espurr and Dedenne on top, with Froakie hopping on. "Ride the Ponyta! Ride the Ponyta!" Bonnie laughed as she gently rocked the wooden toy, making the three pokemon cheer. I watched on with a smile.

Suddenly there was another thunderclap. "Ahhhh!" Bonnie said in shock as she bumped into the rocking Ponyta. Espurr lifted itself, Dedenne and Froakie up into the air before they could get squished. "Sorry, it fell over..." Bonnie apologised.

"Espurr." The Psychic type said as it stood the toy back up and placed the three pokemon back on it.

"Wow, so it was you!" Bonnie cheered, before yelping again from a second thunderclap. "Ahhh! Why does thunder have to be so scary!?"

I felt sorry for her and walked over. "Hey, thunder and lightning can't hurt you, you shouldn't be afraid of it."

"B-But it's still loud and scary!" Bonnie argued in a frightened tone.

I smiled and sat down. "You know, I used to be scared of thunder as well. But when I was little, Alexa always sung a song that calmed me down."

Bonnie sat down as well as all the pokemon leaned in. "Really?" Bonnie asked.

"Yep, I can sing it to you if you want."

"Yes please Elliot!"

"Okay, let me just remember the tune...da da daaa...da dede daaa da daaa...okay! Here we go!" And so I took a deep breath and started singing.

"Where the sun shines, where the winds blow. When your light dies, and you can't go. Turn to the sky, the moon and stars. Don't let that light die, 'cause your never far. From those who, care about you. Never say 'can't do', you can make it through. I'll hold you tight, and keep your safe. Keep in the light, in my embraaaace..."

Man, that song brought back memories.

"That was a great song, Elliot! And I don't feel scared anymore!" Bonnie beamed.

"Espurr!" Espurr agreed. Gently, I stroked the Restraint pokemons head, making her purr softly and happily.

Now, I don't say this to anyone, but I've always wanted to have a little sister. Always being the littlest in the family has its ups and downs you know, I've never REALLY let it bother me. After all, I've got two great older sisters, but I just wanted to experience what they did, helping a younger sibling through all their troubles. I hope Clemont knows how lucky he is...

As Espurr started to snuggle up to me from my stroking, I saw it was wearing some kind of green jewel pendant. "Denne?" "Froak?" The pokemon obviously noticed it as well.

"You have a really pretty pendant Espurr." Bonnie noted.

Espurr looked at Bonnie, and then floated off my lap over to a door, opening it with Psychic. "Esp!" She said, gesturing for us to follow her.

We all started walking when I felt it.

The presence...

"Froak?" Froakie croaked back at me.

"I know Froakie, I'll catch up in a minute." I nodded.

The bubble frog looked at me sceptically, but hopped on with a little motivation.

I turned to where it was coming from and saw it, the shadow with the eye. "Alright, now what are you!? Are you haunting Espurr or something!?" I demanded.

The eye stared at me as the shadow formed itself into a body that looked like...a sheathed sword?

"Honedge..." The pokemon said as I got out my Pokedex.

'Honedge, the Sword pokemon. It is said that Honedge's are swords possesed by spirits, Honedge can-' Suddenly the Pokedex image began crackling and jumping around.

"What the...?" I said as I gave it a light tap. "What's up with this thin-"

Before I could continue the Honedge wrapped its veil-like arm around my arm, I didn't even have time to cry out as my vision faded into darkness...

OCXY

"CHIMCHAAAAAAAR!"

"VIVILLOOOOOOOON!"

The two pokemon screamed as they fled into the room with the painting, where Bonnie, Espurr, Dedenne, Froakie, the reunited Ash, Pikachu, Serena and Clemont were in, along with Team Rocket!

"Ah! It's Chimchar and Vivillon!" Ash gasped as the two pokemon rushed over to Froakie,

"Fro! Froakie Froak?" Froakie asked them.

"Chihihimchaaar!" Chimchar just wailed.

"Isn't that twerp number fives pokemon?" James thought aloud.

"Meowth, what are they saying?" Jessie asked the talking pokemon.

"Turns out that those two got seperated, and dey were chased by some creepy shadow with a big blue eye." Meowth explained.

"Esp!?" Espurr's eye seemed to widen in shock at this.

"So what your saying is, Espurr's pendant belonged to this woman..." Serena said, pointing to the picture. "...And it wanted to give it back because of how nice she was to it, and that there's a shadow in this house!?"

"Pretty much, girlie." Meowth agreed.

Then footsteps could be heard.

"What's that?" Ash asked.

"It must be Elliot!" Bonnie cheered.

As if on cue, our 'hero' entered the room. However, his head was hung low, and in his right hand was a sword with an eye, its blue veil wrapped tightly around his arm, whilst the end held a scabbard.

"Esp..." Espurr hid behind Bonnie.

"Elliot! What are you doing, running off like that!?" Clemont belittled him. "You should have been bringing Bonnie back, not running off with her!"

"...Um, James...what is the twerp holding?" Jessie turned to her partner.

"It looks to be a sword." James thought aloud.

"Yeah, a sword with a big blue eye!" Meowth said.

"Maybe it's a pokemon." Ash said as he got out his Pokedex.

'Honedge, the Sword pokemon. It is said that Honedge's are swords possessed by spirits. Honedge can wrap its veil around people and drain their life energy, then take control of their body.'

Everyone froze. "Ash..." Serena started.

"...Did the Pokedex just say..." Clemont continued.

"...Drain their life energy..." James added.

"...And take control of their body!?" Jessie finished.

"...Yep." Ash said with a pale expression

As if to answer their question, Elliot lifted his head, to reveal glowing red eyes. "...Get...OUT!" The possessed Elliot roared as he raised the Honedge currently controlling him over his head.

"This might be a good time to blast off!" Meowth yelled.

"For once your right!" Jessie shrieked as Honelliot chased after them.

"We'll do that as well!" Clemont agreed as they started running. Surprisingly, Honelliot didn't chase Bonnie or Espurr as the sword pokemons blade body started glowing white.

"It's using Slash!" Clemont cried as Honelliot swiped at them, narrowly missing Clemonts backpack.

"Serena!" Ash yelled as he pushed her down to avoid another Slash. "Are you okay!?"

"Thank you Ash!" Serena shouted with a slight blush as their attacker swiped again.

"Less talking, more running, twerps!" Jessie yelled back at them.

They were chased around the room a few times before Espurr floated in front of the controlled teen with its arms spread wide. "Espurr!" It yelled, which caused Honelliot to stop. "Purr, purr, Espurr!"

"Looks like Espurr's tryin' to convince it that we're da good guys!" Meowth translated.

"You three aren't!" Bonnie pouted.

"Get out of the way, Espurr!" Honedge said through Elliot's voice. "I tried to scare them away, but that didn't work! Now I will force them out!"

"Espurr! Purr purr Espurr!" Espurr begged him.

"They have desecrated our home! Does this building mean nothing to you!?"

"Esp...purr..." The pokemon began to sob.

Honedge instantly softened. "I-I'm sorry, I did not mean to shout. But you of all pokemon must know why we can't let others into this place."

"Is it because of her? The one who took care of Espurr?" Bonnie said, pointing to the portrait.

Honelliot turned to it with a sad look. "Yes...it has always been for her..."

"Why have you possessed our friend?" Serena asked.

"...I chose him...because he was kind..." Honelliot turned to Bonnie. "He sang to you, Espurr, that Dedenne and that Froakie when you were scared...I enjoyed it."

"So then, what's your side of the story? Why are you here?" Ash asked.

Honedge made Elliot tilt itself towards Espurr, who nodded. "I once lived amongst many Steel-type pokemon, I was undefeated and gluttonous with pride. I became too cocky and challenged the leader, but I was defeated. My honour was stained, and I was banished from the clan, so I wandered..."

OCXY

Honedge floated up to the porch of the mansion in the pounding rain, covered in wounds and scratches. "Hon...ed..." Was all it could say before it passed out.

The door opened to reveal an old lady wearing a green jewel bracelet with an Espurr by her feet. "Oh dear! This Honedge is very injured!" She said. "Espurr, please will you help me?"

"Espurr." It nodded. Since Ghost-types were immune to Psychic Espurr just carefully picked it up and brought it inside.

Honedge awoke with an elderly female human and an Espurr beside it. "H...Honedge?" It said weakly.

"Thank goodness. We'd thought you'd never wake up." The woman sighed. Honedge tried to get up but it was gently pushed back down. "Don't try and strain yourself, your still very injured."

Honedge looked at the woman and the Espurr who nodded in agreement.

Quite quickly it was able to float around again, and it was brought to the playroom with the woman and Espurr. "Would you like to play with Espurr, Honedge?" She asked.

"...Hon?" It tilted its body in confusion.

"You've never played before?" She said.

"Purr?" Espurr was also confused.

Honedge had never played a single game in its ife. In its clan it was just fight, train, repeat, fight, train, repeat.

"Here, let me help you." She smiled as she gently held Honedge's veil and guided it over to the slide.

"Espurr!" Said pokemon gave it a light push, making him slide down.

Honedge blinked. What was that? It had felt something sliding down...but what? It floated back up, and this time slid down with Espurr behind it. The two pokemon tumbled at the bottom as Espurr giggled.

Slowly, Honedge's eye turned upwards to signify a smile...a smile...it liked it, it made it...happy. It played on all of the rides with Espurr, laughing all the time.

For the first time in its life...it was happy.

She even gave the two of them food. Of course, Honedge turned away when eating to keep the mystery of its mouth just that. But the woman and Espurr only laughed, making it laugh as well.

Eventually the sun was setting and Espurr was leaving until tomorrow. As for Honedge..."I'm so glad you've recovered Honedge, but be careful okay?" Honedge was obviously hesitant to leave. "What's the matter? Do you have nowhere to go?" Honedge looked at its two friends, its only friends, and nodded.

Espurr walked forward and held out a paw. "Purr, Espurr." It offered it, making its eye widen.

"Honedge, why don't you stay with Espurr? You both can come and visit me everyday." She said.

Honedge couldn't believe it, they had been so kind to it, only knowing it for a day at most. It's eye became glassy as it embraced the two of them with its veil arm. "Honedge..Hon Honedge." It agreed.

The two pokemon visited everyday, wandering back into the wild at sunset. Playing and eating and caring for each other...they were a family. Until one day the woman started coughing very loudly.

"Espurr?"

"Honedge?" The two pokemon said with concern.

She put on a smile for them. "I'm sorry, I'm alright Espurr, Honedge. No need to worry about me." She then took off her pendant and put it around Espurr's neck. "My dear pendant, it means so very much to me. It was given to me by my husband...here."

"Espurr!" The Psychic type cheered.

"Do you like it? In that case why don't you hold onto it? Make sure you don't lose it though." Espurr nodded."And Honedge...this is for you." She said as she got his scabbard, which looked practically brand new! "I noticed how damaged it looked, so I fixed it up as best I could."

Honedge accepted its scabbard and sheathed itself, bowing to her. "Honedge." It said in thanks.

The two pokemon then left with smiles, waving back at the kindest person in the world to them. "Come back anytime, your both always welcome."

The next day the two pokemon entered the house with a flower each. Espurr's violet and Honedge's blue. The two called for her...but no answer came. They both searched the entire house for her, but to no avail. They just let their flowers float to the ground...and they started crying for their lost family member.

OCXY

A tear ran down Honedge's blade and onto the floor. "Next to Espurr, she was the only person who ever...loved me." It sobbed in Elliot's voice.

"Espurr..." The pokemon said sadly.

"So then, why did you want us to stay out?" Bonnie asked.

Honelliot looked at them. "It started with an incident, that happened a few days after she disappeared..."

OCXY

Honedge dusted along the shelves with its veil arm, constantly looking at her portrait, her smiling face. Espurr was playing in the play room at the minute.

Then the sword pokemon heard voices outside. "This is the place, man."

A curious Honedge floated to the open window, looking out he saw two boys there. "I'm telling you! That old lady who used to be around here just vanished! This house has got to be haunted or something!"

Honedge rolled its eye and went back to its dusting, but listened to the ongoing conversation. "Your just being stupid, here, I'll show you." Suddenly Honedge heard a 'Thud' next to it.

"What are you doing!?" It heard the first voice said.

"If this house IS haunted, then whatevers haunting it will get annoyed if I keep throwing rocks at it won't I?" The second voice said as another 'Thud' was heard.

Honedge tried its best to both ignore them and suppress the building rage at the lack of respect they had for it and its best friends home. "Hey, I bet I can get one through that window." Honedge's eye widened as a stone came hurtling threw the open window and hit the portrait!

"HONEDGE!" It cried in horror as the portrait fell off of its hinge onto the floor. It quickly floated over and picked it up, chacking it for any damage. Luckily, it didn't have any visible wounds. Honedge sighed in relief as it re-hung the portrait back up.

"Did you just hear that!? You annoyed SOMETHING!" The voices continued.

"It was probably just a stupid pokemon."

Honedge clenched its veil arm in pure anger. They crossed the line as soon as they started throwing rocks! Honedge's veil became shrouded in shadows as it dipped it into the ground. A shadow then spread to the two boys before turning into a shadow monster!

"AHHHHH! IT'S A MONSTER!" The two yelled as they ran away as fast as they could.

Honedge glared at their retreating figures. People just thought they could disrespect this important home!? No...he wouldn't let ANYBODY damage their home...anybody...

OCXY

"That explains everything!" Clemont gasped.

Honelliot bowed to them. "I'm sorry for scaring and attacking you, Espurr and this house are all I have, I need to protect them. All Espurr wants to do is return the pendant, so I must help her."

"But then, where could she be?" Bonnie asked.

"I sure know that none of us know." Ash said.

"Ash, maybe we should try and help them." Clemont suggested.

"Yeah!" The boy agreed.

"Enough of this pointless time-wasting!" Jessie suddenly spoke up.

"It's obvous the best way outta here..." Meowth followed up.

"...Is to catch Espurr and Honedge!" James stated as he and Jessie got out their Poke-Balls.

"What are you doing!?" Ash yelled.

"Pumpkaboo, let's go!" Jessie called as the Ghost/Grass type appeared.

"Pumpkaboo!" It stated.

"Okay, Inkay!" James called as the Dark/Psychic type appeared.

"Inkay!" It cried.

Honelliot glared at them. "These are the type of people I must banish from this place...on my honour!" It then unwrapped its veil from around Elliot's arm and floated next to Espurr. As soon as it did, Elliot collapsed.

OCXY

My eyes snapped open as I struggled to stand up, I felt so weak.

"Froakie!" "Chimchar!" "Vivillon!" My three pokemon instantly ran or flew into my arms.

"Hey! You're all alright!" I cheered, it was tough even to talk.

"Elliot! Are you okay!?" Bonnie cried as she rushed to me along with everyone else.

"Yeah, being possessed sure takes it out of you, though." I admitted. "It was weird, I heard Espurr and Honedge's story, it was like being a puppet, you can...be there, but you can't really do anything."

"Sounds weird." Ash half-joked.

"Pumpkaboo! Use Leech Seed!" The command brought us out of our conversation.

"PuuuumpkaBOO!" The pokemon yelled as it spat loads of seeds at the two pokemon.

"Hon!" Honedge cried as it flew forward at blinding speed, cutting through the seeds and hitting Pumpkaboo full on!

"Purr! Espurr!" Espurr cheered.

"What a powerful Aerial Ace!" I cried along with my pokemon.

"Psybeam, Inkay! And make it a good day!"

"InnnnKAY!" It cried as it fired the multicoloured beam.

"EsPURR!" Espurr cried as a green shield blocked the attack!

"It's using Protect!" Clemont stated.

"Thanks a lot, Espurr!" Bonnie praised it.

"Eeeees..." Espurr then glowed blue as it picked Team Rocket up with Psychic. "Purrr!" It then threw them out of the open window.

"At least we're finally out of that place!" Jessie yelled as they shot into the sky.

"Yes, but where will we end up next!?" James argued.

"We're blasting off again!" They all yelled as they disappeared into the now brightening blue.

"Wow, you both did it!" Bonnie cheered.

"I can't believe how strong you two are!" Serena said as the two pokemon smiled.

"Espurr, Espuur." "Hon, Honedge, Hon." The two pokemon got back to the problem at hand.

"That's right, we still have to find her." I nodded.

"Do you think she lived in this house all by herself?" Clemont suggested, to which we all thought deeply.

"Are you talking about grandma Leslie?"

We all turned to the door to see a young woman standing there. "Grandma Leslie?" I stated dumbly.

"She's your grandmother? Does that mean you own this house?" Ash asked.

The woman nodded. "Yes, my name is Elise, and who are you?"

We all made introductions and explained Espurr and Honedge's situation. "I see." Elise said. "I was a lot like you two when I was younger, I would always want to come here and play in the playroom."

"We're sorry for entering your house without permission." Ash apologised.

"It's alright, this house was actually scheduled to be torn down." She sighed.

"HONEDGE!?" Honedge cried in shock.

Elise looked at Honedge with a smile. "I came by to check on its condition, but after all this, I've changed my mind! I'm going to renovate it instead. I'll live here and you both can come and play anytime you want. And don't worry, grandma Leslie's portrait will stay exactly where it is." Honedge's eye turned upwards in a smile as well as Espurr's mouth.

"So, where's grandma Leslie now?" I asked.

She turned away. "I'm afraid she passed away." She said sadly.

"...Hon?" Honedge said sadly as both it and Espurr looked down, along with the rest of us.

Then the pendant floated in front of Elise's face, she turned to see Espurr controlling it with Psychic. "Spurr, Espurr." It explained.

"Espurr was waiting to return that pendant to your grandmother." Ash translated.

Elise smiled as she took it. "Thank you, this was her favourite piece of jewellery." She then thought for a second. "Espurr, Honedge, how about I take you to see grandma Leslie's grave so you can tell her about the pendant?"

Both pokemon happily agreed.

Outside it was now shining bright as Elise and Espurr got into the car. "Take good care of Espurr and Honedge, won't you Elise?" Ash asked.

"Of course! We'll be good friends, I know it." Elise smiled.

Honedge floated over to get in the back seat. "Honedge." I called to it, it turned to me. "I just wanted to say, when you...possessed me, I could feel how much Leslie, Espurr and this house truly meant to you...I hope you can both say goodbye well."

Honedge just stared at me, then floated over to Espurr, the two looked like they had a small discussion before Honedge turned to me and offered me a veil hand.

"You want me to come with you?" I asked, to which it nodded. "Elise? Is that okay?"

She smiled. "If Honedge wants you to, then of course!"

"We'll wait for you, don't worry." Clemont reassured me as I got in the back next to Honedge, Froakie on my shoulder and Chimchar and Vivillon in their Poke-Balls.

As we started moving Elise looked at Espurr. "Espurr, I want you to keep this pendant." She handed the pendant back to Espurr, who looked at it in disbelief. "You and Honedge made my grandmother so happy just by visiting her every day, you should keep it." The two pokemon smiled at her.

OCXY

It was a short drive to the cemetery.

Her grave was white marble, and lined with flowers, having a short memorial on it.

"I'll leave you two alone." Elise said as she walked back to the car. I wanted to leave, but I couldn't. It was like some of Honedge's love for her had passed onto me.

Espurr laid a violet flower down, whilst Honedge a blue one. Then they began talking to the grave, telling her everything that happened, as tears streamed down their faces.

I knelt down to them. "She really cared about you two, and I think you caring about her back was more then she could ever ask for." The two pokemon smiled at me.

Then I felt a presence. "Froak! Froakie Froak!" My partner cried as he pointed forward. The three of us turned to where he was pointing, and our eyes widened in disbelief.

Walking towards us was an old woman with a kind face, she was glowing white with an otherwordly aura. She stopped in front of us and smiled. "Hello, Espurr. Hello Honedge."

The two pokemon couldn't believe their eyes, until- "ESP! ESPURR!" "HONEDGE!" They both cried as they hugged her ghostly form as tight as possible, crying into her glowing gown.

"I've missed you both as well..." She whispered as they broke away. "You've both grown so much..."

Espurr held out the pendant. "Espurr! Espurr!"

Leslie smiled at it. "Please forgive me, Espurr. You waited all that time to return my pendant to me. But...I see that it belongs with you now...take good care of it."

"Es...Espurr." It sobbed happily.

I felt out of place in this family, so I turned and started walking. "Young man..." Her voice stopped me and I turned to her. "I was listening to Espurr and Honedge, you and your friends have done so much for them. May I have your name?"

I looked at her. "I was just helping a pokemon in need. I'm Elliot, and this is Froakie."

"Froak." He croaked in greeting.

"...Elliot, what a fine name." She said as she stood up. "I have a request to ask of you, Elliot."

"What is it?" I asked.

"I want you to take Honedge on your journey." All of us looked at her astonished.

"W-What!?" I said in disbelief. "B-But Honedge and Espurr, they're practically family! I can't tear them away!"

She continued to smile. "Have you ever heard the phrase 'A sword must shine in battle, not rust in unuse?'. I believe Honedge has grown rusty, and that he has lost his will to travel. If he stays forever, he will rust until it is too late." Honedge and Espurr looked at her. "But, I'll leave the choice to Honedge."

I bent down to the sword pokemon. "Well, Honedge, it's your choice."

Honedge looked between all of us, then floated up to Espurr and began talking with her. After a while, they both nodded. Honedge then floated up to me. "Honedge, Hon."

So I got out a Poke-Ball. "Welcome to the team...Honedge."

Honedge bowed to me...as suddenly one of my Poke-Balls floated over to Espurr! With a cry in unison they both tapped the balls and got sucked in in a red light.

Click...

Click...

Click...

Ding!

"W-What!?" I yelled in shock, picking up the two balls. "Why did they do that?"

Leslie looked at me. "It's like you yourself said, they're practically a family, and families stick together." My two new pokemon then popped out and turned to their 'mother' with a smile. "Both of you...stay safe, and look out for each other." They shared one last hug as Leslie looked at me. "Please take care of them."

I nodded. "I swear on my life."

"Thank you..." She said as she stood up. "I think I can move on now, knowing they're happy." She then turned and began walking, fading away into nothingness.

My two teammates turned to me expectantly. "Let's head back." They nodded in agreement.

As we returned to the car I gave Elise Espurr's Poke-Ball. "What's this?" She asked.

"Espurr and Honedge decided to travel with us." I explained. "But, I was wondering if Espurr could stay with you jst a little longer and play some more."

She looked at me for a second, then smiled. "Absolutely, I'll take good care of it." She then scribbled something down and gave it to me. "If you ever need her for anything, call this number."

I nodded. "Thank you, this really means a lot to us." Espurr purred as I petted it, still clutching the pendant.

So we all climbed into the care. Honedge would be able to travel with me, Espurr could still play with Elise, and they were still a family.

I looked back at the cemetery as we drove away. Now, I said I don't believe in ghosts, but what's that to stop them from existing?

"Purr! Espurr!" Espurr purred back at me.

"Honedge Hon!" Honedge seemed to agree.

I looked at them, but then smiled. "You want me to sing again?" They both nodded. "Okay then..."

"Where the sun shines, where the winds blow. When your light dies, and you can't go. Turn to the sky, the moon and stars. Don't let that light die, 'cause your never far. From those who, care about you. Never say 'can't do', you can make it through. I'll hold you tight, and keep you safe. Keep in my light, in my embraaaaace..."

The two pokemon shed some more tears each. They didn't have to cry anymore, because they were together. Honedge wrapped its veil around Espurr as it hugged the sword back, happy...together...

Even I was crying writing this! I had to get this out early! Reviews are appreciated, I'm too sad to do a 'Next Time', somebody do the disclaimer!

Honedge: Honedge! Hon, Honedge! (Everyone! Obtain pokemon!)

Espurr: Purr, purr Espurr! (But keep them together!)