Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

Chapter 11

Silver's POV

This was not something that I had ever anticipated to happen. I would have never thought that Copper would just waltz into my life again. That girl taught me exactly what I was lacking, and what steps I needed to take to fill those voids. Now, seven years later, she stood in front of me. She changed a lot: her straw-colored hair was now down to the middle of her back, center parted and fringing around her face. She had grown about a foot, and had also developed a more womanly figure. She had grown from that ambitious kid to a fine lady.

I wondered how much I had matured in comparison. I have resided within the Dragon's Den for the last seven years. At this rate, Lance had practically raised me. I had lived…like a normal human being over this period of bliss. Like I had a family. Like I had a purpose.

At the moment, Copper and I went down all fifteen flights of stairs. The Dragon's Lake was in the middle of a really deep canyon, and at the bottom was a dock parting from the bottom floor of the house. A small canoe was tied to the dock, free to take at anyone's leisure. I guess now was the perfect time to take it.

"Hey, Silv, wait up!" Copper panted as she ran after me towards the raft. By the time she had caught up, the girl was gasping for air. Her face was incredibly red, and she had started to shake.

"Copper, what's wrong?" I asked, worried we might need to take her to Grandpa. I can already hear him criticizing me for this….

"Asthma," she panted, "Just give me a little bit to rest, okay?"

"Well, why don't we take this canoe?" I asked, pointing at the small boat, "I'll row, you just stay put."

"Sounds like a plan," she smiled, despite her exhaustion. It's a good thing that I had packed a few water bottles. I took one out of my black backpack and handed it to her. She happily took it and took a few sips. I boarded the boat with ease, considering I do this all of the time when I want to have a moment to myself. Not sure if Copper had done this, I held out my hand to her. Taking it, she took a step to the opposite bench within the boat. Facing me, she took a seat. After untying the boat, I had begun sailing us away from the house and into the lake.

Rowing over, we entered the central area of the lake. The Dratini were playing and splashing around us, thankfully being careful as to not completely soak us. This had Copper grinning outright. She always had a knack for understanding Pokemon. Despite all of the years of training alongside my cousins, I had never understood how she was so…kind. "So, has anything changed since we were tweens?" I asked, attempting to yet again break the ice.

"Eh, not really," she giggled as she turned away from the young dragons, "I've been living with Red all of these years, right after becoming the multi-regional champion. The few people that have kept contact with me are A.J., Mom, and the champions from Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova. I've battled a number of trainers from Johto, but none have prevailed. It gets Red all pouty because he's worried that I'll strain myself too much. What about you?"

"Just have been staying here, training," I looked away as I said this. She had accomplished so much, and what did I have to show for the last seven years? Not so much. She always had this innate ability to stun me no matter what I did.

"It couldn't have been that boring," she reached out and turned my face toward hers, "Besides, you'd be a much worse asshole if you were just training."

"I guess I was figuring myself out all of these years," I blushed, "Oh, Golbat evolved."

"GOOD! I told you to treat your Pokemon with respect," Copper pulled me into a choking hug, "Proud of you, Silv."

"I guess so," I looked her dead in those aqua eyes. Bright as ever.

We held each other for a long, watching the dragons cavort amongst the waters. She seemed happier than usual, happier than I remember from my tweenage years.

"Silv?"

I turned to look at her. The happiness had seemed to fade. What could I have possibly done wrong? "Yeah, what's wrong, Copper?"

"Did you meet any girls since I last saw you?"

"Girls period? Well there are Lola and Fran, who train in Clair's gym, and Piper, Clea and Gil in the Den," I answered straight. She should know if there was any competition for her to conquer. In my eyes, there was none.

"I meant girls you've liked," Copper looked at me, debating on whether to be upset.

"Oh, that." She gave me a rather anxious look, "I never really took interest in them, and only Piper had a thing for me. I had to say no."

"But she's pretty, Silver," she said, giving me a rather confused look.

"Well, I know someone who makes her look like a Garbodor," I smiled, looking directly at her, "She's kind of sitting right in front of me."

"Silv, you're buttering me up," she looked at me, logic taking over, "You can't possibly know what I'm like after all of these years. Hell, I hit the majority of puberty between then and now. A lot of change happens in seven years. I don't know a lot about you, but I've change-" I pressed my lips upon hers, thus cutting her rant short. I guess she had enjoyed it, because she pressed in to me deeply, slightly parting her lips in welcome. I lifted away, much to her chagrin.

"Was that any different after seven years?" I asked, giving one of my more devilish looks. Copper pouted at me, sticking her bottom lip out.

"What if I had told you that it was?" she pouted back.

"I'm not entirely sure what I think about that," I sighed while losing the smirk. Did I really lose what I had?

"Well, to be frank, you've gotten better at this. And I'd like to be like this more often."

END CHAPTER 11

SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY! I had massive writer's block! GAH!