"Iris!"

I tried to keep pace with the 13 year old as she pranced through tree to tree. One thing that I probably hated her for. Her skill at climbing trees. I watched as the branches wobbled and released smooth green leaves onto the ground. The leaves rustling as her weight bounced off them.

It had been a year from my run-in with this young girl and my life had changed since. The day at the statue, Iris had led me to the famous Dragon trainer, Cynthia. My heart was literally about to burst from the glorious sight of her.

Long-story short, after a very lengthy conversation, Cynthia gifted me a room from her house and now I lived under the same roof as the greatest Dragon-type trainer of all time, her girlfriend and Iris.

Now, I was chasing this young teen as she ran away from her problems. My hand reached fro behind my cloak and a threw a pokeball out. The item opened and crafted a red glow. With a blink of my eye, I watched as one of my trusted pokemon appeared.

"Noivern!" I gasped as I continued a steady pace after Iris. She was a few trees ahead in the forest already and I was getting an idea where she was heading. "Go catch her!" The large bat nodded it's head and shifted its round eyes towards Iris. With a flap of its wings, it rose to the air and started to fly towards the young girl.

I continued my run and watched from ahead as a screech cut through the air. Uh-oh,I immediately thought as I watched a purple glow form ahead. Dammit Iris. A blast from Dragon Pulse shot forward and I listened to the impact of a body hitting a tree.

My pace increased as I covered more ground and I finally reached the mess Iris had made. The ground was scorched from her Axew's pokemon move and I turned my head to see Noivern recovering from her attack. Rushing forward, I touched my beloved pokemon and checked for wounds. There was a couple of light bruises but other than that, she was fine.

"Come on friend," I rubbed my hand along Noivern's neck and hopped onto her back. The pokemon rumbled for a second then shook its head in recovery. Flapping its wings, she took us in the air and headed towards the girl I was hunting for.

A speedy few minutes, I tap my heels on Noivern's side and wait for it to slow down. Jumping off, I motioned for it to be silent and I strided past some trees. I stepped into an open clearing with a small pond and a waterfall pouring into it. The rush of the water combined with the sounds of wild pokemon reminded me that not all things were ruined by humans.

My red eyes scan the clearing and there I spot a sitting Iris near the pond. The purple haired girl was hunched over with her legs drawn up to her chest. Her partner, Axew, stood beside her nudging her in affection.

I approached the girl carefully and joined her on the ground. She didn't do anything at first and I didn't push her. I understood what she was feeling and I was here to comfort her. I would talk when she was ready. If that was thing I've learned from experience, it's that human emotion was a complex thing that took careful skill to deal with. And in all honesty I would have never know that if Aster hadn't passed away. My heart ached in response of the name. Aster worked her tail off training me and I never had a chance to interact with anyone much besides my grandma, who tended to watch my lessons from afar. That's why when I stepped foot in Hoenn, I was a complicated person. I wasn't use to the emotion that swarmed that region. Everything was new and exciting. But I only had the chance to discover that, thanks to Aster's passing.

"Did I hurt Noivern?" Iris suddenly said, shaking me out of my thoughts. I turned to look at the pokemon who sat a little bit away from us. She made a tiny crackle in reply with a tilt of her head.

I responded in a soft tone, "Just a few bruises, nothing a potion couldn't fix."

The girl sighed and I watched as tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "Good." She muffled through her arms. I brought my hand up to run it over her hair, in a comforting motion. A few minutes later, she spoke again.

"I don't...wa-wanna go to Unova..Zinnia," She sobbed. I felt my lips curve into a frown and shook my head.

"I don't want you to depart from us either Iris," I shared and rubbed her back gently. I copied what my grandma had done for me so many times when I was younger and upset about a failed lesson or even the time Aster gave to the ground. "But you have to. Your grandmother and village want to train you."

Iris snorted sadly. "I like training with you and Cynthia!" She protested and dug her face deeper into her arms. "I enjoy...it here. All they did in Unova was talk and work."

"Well they obviously don't do that anymore if they want you back," I told her with part hesitation. I knew the reason why her village wanted her back but Cynthia and the others had given me strict instructions not to tell her though. I didn't know why but a Draconid never broke its promise. Even if as time progresses I become a Draconid less and less each day. "Your grandmother wants you."

"But she let me go, after my parents died."

"Iris…" I couldn't bear to see this usually bubbly girl in a saddened mood. I sighed. "Don't tell anyone I told you this," I felt something pull at me as I knew that I snapped a silent code. "But your grandmother wants to train you to help her out with ancient history."

There was silence for a moment then Iris moved. She looked up and faced her head at me. Her Axew followed the gaze and started to stare at me too.

"What do you mean?" The purple haired girl sniffed with confusion.

I shook my head and looked at the water that tumbled down into the pond. "I don't know…" It felt like Deja Vu. Iris was taking the same path as me.

I yawned, something uncontrollable. I watched as Zinnia's distant gaze faltered and she came back to the world. Her ruby eyes seemed dull as they met mine and her lips curved into a smile.

"Tired?" She asked amused.

I shook my head feeling a similar smile playing on to my lips. "Well...it's not my fault," I reached to rub the back of my neck and can't help but yawn again. "I had a eventful day today"-My gaze casts to the clock-"Well yesterday."

"That's true," Zinnia got up and looked down at me. "I should let you sleep. You will probably need the energy for tomorrow."

"What's happening tomorrow?"

"Don't know." Zinnia smirks lightly and once again my mind goes to the aging memories of the Sky Pillar. I can tell a part of her is gone but she's still the same.

I got up, departing from the couch and walk a few steps forward. My placement is somewhat beside her but also in front of her. I pause and I feel a new tension crackle in the air. It seems familiar but mixed with a few new elements.

A breath of air leaves my mouth as I know that nagging that had conquered me in the past had to be ignored. My head turns and I meet her eyes. Her lips are straight as she stares at me. Her eyes showing a story yet to be fully told. "Hey Zinnia?"

I feel that pause. Even if it was barely even more than 2 seconds. The hesitation as if she can read my mind, my eyes, my feelings.

"Yes?" A simple soft sound that left her lips. Leaving my blood to fizz in a slight nervous state.

"Did you ever fall in love with someone when you were gone?"

I watch as the black haired woman's red eyes flicker for moment back to life. As if a fire ignited behind them and started to rage until it engulfed everything in sight.

Then it quickly died.

Zinnia laughs. A soft broken one.

"When a Draconid falls in love once, it can't fall in love again."

.-.-.

Yes, thank god! I finally got this chapter out! It was so frustrating that I wasn't able to do it sooner. Thank you so much to all who have read,followed and reviewed! It means so much to me! And thank you to all that have been patient enough to wait for the next chapter. I apologize for the long wait. Time hasn't been on my side lately and I've been busy lately. But again, I appreciate the support from some of you and hope to see you guys around in the next chapter! Until then!

Zouboss