Chapter Ten

After getting out of Pinwheel forest, we set off towards Castelia City, the largest city in the region. To our horror it was a bridge walk away. It's going to take hours to cross. I stopped still looking at the bridge.

"Come on mom it's only one bridge," Ember said. He was with Hilbert and Kandy, whom were standing at the steps.

"I'm tired. We just got done with all of those Team Plasma members. Aren't you," I snapped back. He shrugged. Maybe potions did more than I thought.

"Um, Hilda who are you talking to," Kandy asked. I shot her a weird look.

"Ember of course," I responded. This time Hilbert raised an eyebrow. It took me a small moment to see what they were getting at. "Oh yeah sorry. I forgot most people don't know. I can understand Pokémon," I blurted out.

"Why do I find that a little hard to believe," Kandy asked. Zorro glared at her.

"She's telling the truth," Zorro yelled. I glared at her to remind her that she was still riding on my shoulder.

"I guess it's a little hard to believe but it is the truth as Zorro yelled," I said calmly. Zorro looked down a little. I looked at Hilbert to see what he had to say. He was smiling like a mad man.

"That's so cool. Is it just your Pokémon or others? How did you get it? Can you teach me," He yelled. I rolled my eyes, at least Hilbert was still Hilbert about it.

"Um, I can understand all Pokémon. I don't know how I got it and I would teach you if I could but I don't even know," I answered. Hilbert pouted in disappointment. Kandy looked me up and down as if she was trying to see if I was lying.

"Okay then," she simply said. Zorro growled at little. I looked at her in confusion normally she was more laid back about, well everything. Zorro caught my gaze and shrugged.

"So why are you traveling with Hilbert," I asked Kandy after we got off the steps and onto the bridge. Kandy glanced at me carefully.

"Because I'm that awesome," Hilbert said. Ember snorted and I shot him an annoyed look.

"I was speaking to Kandy. So shut it Black," I growled at him. He shrunk back in fear and muttered apologizes.

"Well I'm from Sinnoh but my parent said the only way I was going to have a journey is if I went to a different region. I didn't want to go to Johto, Kanto, or Hoenn," she sounded slightly sad as she spoke. Maybe she missed Sinnoh.

"You still never told me the whole story," Hilbert said, for once in his life he sound mature and not whiny. Kandy sighed as if she really didn't want to do this.

"Back in Sinnoh there was this really bad team called Team Galactic. They wanted to use the powers of the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia to create a new universe but it would destroy this one in the process." My mind spun how crazy would someone had to be to do that. "My friends Dawn, Lucas, and Berry stopped them with the help of another legendary Pokémon Giratina. They won and the region was saved, but my parents were afraid that because of my connection with the three, former Team Galactic members might come after me. So after some time they sent me here," Kandy said.

"Okay then how did you meet Hilbert," I asked. Kandy smiled at that.

"I had just gotten here a week ago and was taking in the new sights. I only had two Pokémon on my, Skitty and Pikachu, who are Pokémon my parents gave me. I was headed to Nuvema town to get a starter Pokémon from Professor Juniper when a strange Pokémon sped by me. It was orange and cream and was speeding off in the other direction. But before it was gone it turned around and stared at me almost as if it wanted me to follow. Then without warning it flew away again. I had to keeping going but I couldn't stop thinking about that Pokémon. I was so distracted that I didn't realize I was at the Pokémon lab. Neither of us was paying attention and I ran into Hilbert. And from there we became friends," Kandy said. She had a huge smile but there was a little confusion underneath the surface.

"Oh okay," I said. Zorro and Ember snorted at my lack of answer.

"Mom ask if she's a trainer," Ember said. I rolled my eyes of course Ember would ask that.

"Ember wants to know if you're a trainer," I said. Kandy had a small look of disbelief. She still didn't believe that I could understand Pokémon.

Regardless of her disbelief she answered, "I wanted to be a Pokémon coordinator but seeing as they don't hold contest here, I battle the gyms. I have two badges," she said.

"I do too," Hilbert said cutting in. I smiled.

"So do I." Ember and Zorro smiled at each other. I suddenly frowned remembering what happened after I got my first badge. "Hilbert," I said. He looked at me. The smile fell off his face when he saw my frown. "My dad is back."

"What! Since when," he questioned. Kandy looked at us in confusion.

"What's wrong about her dad being back," she asked. Ember and Zorro were growling slightly.

"Her dad left her and her mom about three years ago because he cheated on them and had a kid with some other girl. And what's worse is one of the reasons he left was because he had a son with the other lady. He thought Hilda wouldn't become such a great Pokémon trainer because she's a girl," Hilbert said angrily. Kandy gasped and I just stared hard at the ground. Ember walked over to me and gave me a hug.

"It's okay Mom we won't let him hurt you again. Ever," Ember promised.

"We'll always stay by your side and protect you like you do to us," Zorro said strongly. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. My two other Pokeballs flashed open and June and Pan we suddenly in front of me.

"We'll always love you," Pan said as she jumped onto my hat.

"I may not know you that well yet, but I can you see you have a kind heart. I give you my protection," the ever hard June said. I sobbed quietly the tears rushing down my face,

"Hill-willy you know I'll always be there for you," Hilbert said as he walked by my side.

"Hilda, we're a team now and team mates protect each other," Kandy said. I smiled at everyone through my tears. They were right we are a team and we watch out for each other. I'm not alone. I have my team, my family.

"Thank you. You guys really are the best. I know we can do anything when we're together," I said. They smiled and cheered. Though Cheren and Bianca wasn't with us, I know they would be saying the exact same thing. Hilbert suddenly raced forward a bit.

"Look guys, there it is Castelia City," He yelled. We ran forward to end of the bridge was close. I could feel the determination pouring off everyone. No matter the challenge we face, we'll do it together.

Sorry for the short chapter and long wait, but I've been really busy with school and stuff. That being said, the next chapter most likely won't be done till summer break. Anyways can anybody guess which Pokémon Kandy saw? Remember to read and review ~ Swiftfire mews.