(A/N): Hello, everyone! I'm back... somewhat. My school had an early release day and I capitalized on the spare time and my lack of homework to bring you chapter ten/nine!

japaneserockergirl: Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed the humor!

Akeyaranu: Don't worry. I have a plan, and I'm glad that you got a laugh out of Torkoal's nickname. It's pure coincidence, I promise!

Pure Gamer: Thanks for favoriting! I really appreciate it.

AspiringAuthorVia: Wow, you left a lot of reviews. They're really helpful, and I appreciate every single one of them!

On with the show! ~Phee

Oreburgh City was... dusty... at first sight. Literally. Charcoal colored dust clung to the path, the buildings, and occasionally, the jump-suited miner returning home from a long day at work. I did have to agree with Blue Brain's statement- this place appeared to be a lot more normal than Jubilife, and I enjoyed that. Here, everything felt real. Not plastered on and fake. Aiden and Amalie led us to the Pokémon center, where we stashed our things.

After a quick goodbye to Amalie, we went back outside. "And now, a tour of the city!" announced Aiden. "This is the Pokémon center." He pointed to a building with a neon blue roof. "That's the Pokémart. That huge building on the hill is the Museum. They have a person there that specializes in fossils and assorted fossil Pokémon. It's also where you go to learn about the mining industry here, which can be quite fascinating if you're into that kind of stuff."

He turns towards the tallest building in town. "That's Town Hall. Old, but the architecture is stunning. And finally, the Gym is over there, between those two natural rock formations."

I follow his gaze, and see a soot-grey building with the Pokémon League logo on it. I grin immediately, and Aiden notices my excitement.

"You're not quite ready to take on Byron, I think. Some training will do you quite a bit of good. We'll give you a hand later," replies Blue Brain.

"I think you should keep an eye out for another Pokémon that would give you an advantage over Rock-types, because Pyrrhos can't really do all that much damage against a Geodude or something of the like," ponders Aiden.

I shrug. "Fine by me."

We decide to go visit the Museum, since it's almost time for dinner. There's no time for training today, so we'll begin early tomorrow. As we enter, a bell chimes twice, alerting a young man to our presence. He turns around, and I notice that he's wearing a jumpsuit similar to the miners', an orange hard hat, and glasses over his eyes.

"Welcome to the Oreburgh Mining Museum! You lucked out- every week we have free admission Tuesday, which happens to be today. I hope you enjoy our exhibits, and if you have any questions, please ask me! My dad runs the mines, so I know pretty much everything about everything here," he says with a shrug.

"Wait a second," replies Blue Brain, biting his lip. "Are you Roark?"

The young man nods. "Yeah, that's me."

I remember something long-forgotten. "Oh! You're the Gym Leader's son! It's so nice to meet you!"

I stick out a hand in friendly greeting, and sigh with relief when he shakes it instead of bowing like the Jubilife citizens.

"And you are?"

"Clary Stevens, and these are my friends Aiden and Josh." I refrain from calling Josh by his nickname as an introduction, and he seems to appreciate it.

"Come on, I'll guide you through the building." We follow the older boy through the hallways, examining all the exhibits as he narrates. I never knew how extensive of a procedure coal mining was, or how important it was to Sinnoh's economy.

"So, if the city for some reason had to shut down the mines, most of Sinnoh would lose power within the next day?"

He nods. "Yeah, that's about right. We'd only close if there was an explosion or if there was a gas leak. We keep Chatot down in the mines with us. They're trained to sing when there's a gas leak, so we can grab our Pokémon and get the Reverse World out of there."

Aiden walks up to a massive box, mouth wide open. "Arceus, how old is this fossil?"

Roark laughs. "Oh, that? Dad and I fished that one out of the mines about two years ago. We think it's the shell of a giant Omanyte or Omastar. We're getting a specialist from Kanto to come out and take a good look at it in about a month and a half. He seemed excited when I managed to get on the phone with him and schedule the meeting."

We finish our tour, and Roark offers to show us to the gate of the mine. I agree eagerly, and we follow him to the entry. A whistle sounds, and men and women start pouring out of the mines, looking smudged yet content. Roark finds a massive man and waves, and the man waves back.

Thirty seconds later, and I'm looking at the opposing side of my first gym challenge. Byron stands about six feet tall, and there's an intimidating aura coming off of him, as if he exudes confidence and brutality. I grin. This should be fun.

"Hey, Dad!" yells Roark.

"Roark! How are you?" Byron sees us. "Who are the kids?"

"This is Clary, Josh, and Aiden. I never asked, why are you here?"

I stand a little taller, maximizing my small frame. "I'm here to challenge my first gym."

Byron laughs. "Good for you, little miss! I'll look forward to the challenge. I'm normally at the gym in the mornings and the mines in the afternoon, so drop by any time from nine to one. Roark, we shouldn't keep your ma waiting. It was nice to meet you kids, and I'll see you soon."

We wave goodbye to our new friends, and head back to the center for dinner. We retreat to our rooms afterwards, and I call out Kaia, Pyrrhos, and Garnete, who I have a few questions for.

"Ok, everyone, we're in Oreburgh."

This simple statement is met with noises of excitement and triumph.

"We start training tomorrow. Byron won't be easy to beat, and if we went in the way we are now, we'd be squashed in two minutes flat."

Garnete nods. I would agree with you, Miss Clary. I can sense that you have a few questions for me concerning my arrival on Route Two-oh-One, do you not?"

I sigh. "Dang, you're good. Can't hide anything from you."

She smiles, unlike her usual serious demeanor. You would be surprised by the things I have seen and the things I know. What are your inquiries?

"Do you remember anything about how you ended up at the place that I found you?"

She puts a paw to her head and scratches, as if trying to remember. I can remember bits and pieces of things. I can remember being in pain- lots of it. I can recall a great teal dragon with red wings, and a human with silver hair. They were attacking me for some reason. After the former event, things get a little hazy. I can recall running and falling over something. That is all.

Garnete sighs. I wish I could be of more help, Miss Clary, but I am afraid that is it. If anything comes back, I will notify you.

"Thanks, Garnete. I'll do my best to keep an eye out for anyone with silver hair and a dragon. Shouldn't be too hard to spot if she battles like we do."

The Emanation Pokémon shrugs.

The four of us chat late into the night, Garnete acting as a translator. Later, I check a clock and see that it's well past eleven. I climb into my rented bed, the sheets smelling like laundry soap and fresh air, and I feel Pyrrhos curl up at the end of my bed like a guard Arcanine. Garnete takes a post next to Pyrrhos, and Kaia takes the edge of my pillow and falls asleep instantly.

Kaia has the right idea, I decide. I'm asleep moments later.

There is darkness. Lots of it. I don't exactly know where I am, and I turn frantically, attempting to get a grasp on my direction. Suddenly, a rainbow colored feather falls from the sky, and lands in my outstretched hand...