Chapter 14:

"The Pokemon did marvelously," Rachel said as walked into the backstage filled with actors and actresses and dozens of Pokemon.

"Thanks, I can't believe you have such an amazing job!" I tell Rachel as I pet Blossom, her Chikorita, "this has been so much fun!"

These last few days I had been interning in the Pokemon Musical where I helped coordinate and calm Pokemon when they were on stage. I was mainly there to help Pokemon stay calm after they danced and the audience was screaming and applauding their performance, but I had no idea how much Rachel, the Musical's Whisperer, did. Most people came and dressed up their Pokemon in whatever manner they wanted and then had them go on the stage and dance to a musical number, but what most of them didn't realize, was that there was a Whisperer, in this case Rachel, who told each Pokemon that ever came on stage to do whatever dance went with the music and setting. I had eventually been allowed to help coordinate the forest stroll because it was the easiest of the dances. It had gone pretty well with only one angry trainer coming up to me and telling me that I had forgotten to tell his Pokemon to let go of the umbrella at the very end of the dance.

"Hey Ivory," I hear George, the Music Director, call to me, "You've got a visitor."

Confused, I walk over to the entrance and see Bianca pacing back and forth nervously. 'How could I forget,' I think to myself, 'this is the day Bianca's dad said he would come and pick her up to bring her back home. Bianca had spent the last few days both attending musicals and visiting the amusement park as well as prepare her speech for her dad. She had already practiced it several times with both me and N, so I was pretty sure she was ready.

"Hey Ivory," she says when she sees me, "so, my dad came early, and he's got the car and everything. What am I supposed to do?"

"What you rehearsed. You've got your speech all written out and memorized, just say it. Don't worry, you'll do great. I'll come with you, if you want."

"Would you, please! I don't think I can do this on my own!"

I follow Bianca outside as she walks out over to the parking lot by the Pokemon Musical where her dad is waiting for her by their car. Her dad rushed up to her and hugged her, "Oh my little Skitty are you alright!? You aren't hurt, are you? I'm so sorry about your Pokemon getting stolen. Where are your things? Are they still at the Pokemon Center?"

"Daddy," Bianca says as she straitens and tries to maintain eye contact with her father, "I'm not going back home with you. I should have been brave and told you on the phone so you wouldn't have to come all this way for me, but I'm saying it now. This journey, even though it's been really hard, has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I've met so many new people and I've learned important things about myself from all of this. I've learned that I'm stronger than I ever imagined and that I can pick myself up after falling and become better. Even though I'm heartbroken that I've lost most of my Pokemon, I refuse to let that be the end for me. I'm going to keep pressing forward until I've finished my journey. I know you're worried about me, but please remember that I'm going to face danger no matter where I go, and I must face it on my own. I'm my own person, daddy, please just let me grow and become stronger all on my own."

Bianca's dad looks at her for a moment before saying "…Bianca that was amazing what you said but remember that your mother and I worry about you all the time. We worry that we'll get a phone call from the police saying that you've vanished or that you were killed in an accident. I love you Bianca, and I just want what's best for you,"

When Bianca's dad had said this, Bianca had raced up to him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you so much for loving me daddy. I love you too, but this is what's best for me. I need to be my own person. I need to grow my own wings and fly all by myself. I've had such great experiences here that I don't want them to stop."

"Bianca's also helped me grow a lot too," I say. "She's helped me be a better person and I think she's been getting stronger on her own without any Pokemon."

Bianca's dad looks sad and he embraces Bianca even tighter and say, "I miss you."

Bianca hugs him back and says "I miss you too, but we all have to grow up some day. Thank you for being so supportive. You were willing to come all the way to Nimbassa City just for me. I really appreciate that. I love you daddy!"

"I love you too sweetie. I'll admit that I still want to take you back with me, but I know you're right. If it isn't now, it will be when you go to college. Even though college is a lot safer and you're less likely to get hurt, but that can also be dangerous. You're right Bianca, and you being brave enough to tell me yourself shows me that you've grown up. Alright, be safe and take this," he said as he handed her some pepper spray, "now if you see any more crooks you can spray them and protect yourself without Pokemon."

"Thanks daddy," Bianca says. I walk next to her and squeeze her hand reassuringly as Bianca's dad got in his car and drove off. Bianca turned and hugged me, "Thank you, Ivory."

"Come on," I say to her and walk with her into town, "let's get something to eat and maybe watch a game at the stadium. I hear it's volleyball, you played volleyball in school, right?"

"Yeah," Bianca said her excitement and bubbliness already starting to come back.

As we walked down the street, to my surprise I see a bunch of Team Plasma members standing around and protesting something. I looked at one of the signs and read 'Say no to breeding' and 'Pokemon love too.' There was a Plasma guy standing at the head of the crowd and was pointing accusingly at an older gentleman and totally ripping up on him for secretly participating in Pokemon breeding.

"I'm just a daycare man! I don't work on those farms that specifically breed certain types of Pokemon by using Ditto. I agree that that's unethical. Trainers will sometimes just bring in Pokemon of the same species and they just-"

"Shut up! We don't believe you! Your license as a Daycare Manager should be revoked! I hope that one day all of those sick Daycares are shut down."

To my surprise, Black comes up and stands protectively in front of the Daycare man and yells, "What in the Distortion World are you doing?! You're harassing this poor guy and he hasn't done anything to you!"

"He may not have done anything to me," the Plasma guy said passionately, "but he has done horrible things to Pokemon. We're here to represent the unspoken words of Pokemon everywhere."

I rolled my eyes and thought 'no wonder Team Plasma gets such a bad rap. They can sure sound like a bunch of close-minded idiots.' I was about to walk forward and say something when Black stepped in and said:

"And what about him," Black said gesturing to the Daycare man, "doesn't he get a say in all this! You refuse to listen to him. If you're trying to get us to think of Pokemon and humans as equals shouldn't you extend the same courtesy to your fellow humans?"

The man blinked and said "-uh" 'Got him,' I thought happily.

Before anyone could say anything else, a beautiful woman in a very sexy outfit walked up and said, "what's the meaning of this?"

The Plasma dude visibly pales and says, "Gym Leader Elesa! Um… we're just practicing our right of Freedom of Speech! We have a right to protest!"

"Yes, and all other citizens have the right of protection from harassment of any individual or group of people without due cause. I saw you verbally abusing this poor man, and I find that completely unacceptable. I'm going to ask you all to disassemble and leave. Now."

The members of Team Plasma all start grumbling, but they start to disperse leaving Black, the old man, Bianca, Elesa, and I standing on the street.

"Young man," the man said turning to Black, "thank you so much for standing up to defend me! I'm sure that must have been intimidating to stand up to that crowd." He then handed Black a large amount of money and said, "here, buy a bike or something."

Elesa walked up to the Daycare Man and said, "I'm sorry about that. Nimbassa City is normally open and accepting, but Team Plasma has gotten a little more… vocal."

"That's alright, we have Team Plasma by Striaton as well, so we're used to it. I just wanted to come here and possibly expand my business, but then Team Plasma found out and got this protest going. I'll be honest and say that I was about to agree to not build here, but seeing this trainer and you, Gym Leader Elesa, inspired me to continue."

"I'm happy to hear that," Elesa said with a smile. The man walked off down the street and Elesa turned to Black, "thanks for standing up to that guy. You're names Black, right? I remember our Gym battle; you were pretty good."

Black beamed in pride and said, "yep, that's me! I'm just annoyed at those Plasma guys. They're all so obnoxious! Whenever I run into one, they act like I'm horrible for being a trainer and try to guilt trip me into quitting. They think they're so high and mighty like no one else in the world cares about Pokemon besides them."

Bianca and I glance at each other and both of us look down at our bags to look at the Plasma pins we have on them. I think that Team Plasma was totally wrong in this situation, but everything, no matter how good it might potentially be, has bad things about it. I agreed with a lot of what Plasma said, especially whenever I listened to N, the Sages, or the Plasma Whisperers. Even Ghetsis made some good points when he wasn't threatening people.

To my surprise Elesa says: "it's a real pity that Team Plasma has become so radical. They've actually done a lot of good. They helped clean up the streets from illegal trafficking and are faster to find Pokemon abuse than we are. Their policies aren't half bad, but they've gotten too carried away and so many members are caught up in their Team that they won't listen to reason. I honestly hope that one day Team Plasma and The League will be able to work together at some point."

Black notices both me and Bianca at that point and says "Bianca!... Ivory,"

'Well I'm so glad you're pleased to see me too big bro,' I think sarcastically. I try to brush it off, but I can't help but feel really hurt that he isn't pleased to see me. I was really happy that we had finally met on our journeys. I'll admit that I had originally wanted to travel with all three of them: Cheren, Bianca, and Black, but well life happened, and I haven't even seen Black until now. I guess Black didn't feel the same way about seeing me.

"…hey Black," Bianca said distantly.

"Ah you three know each other. That's great! I'll leave you be than," Elesa than turned and headed off toward the amusement park, leaving us in an uncomfortable situation.

"Okay," Bianca says suddenly, "No one else is going to say it, so I will! Black! Come on! It's me and your sister Ivory! You should be happy to see us and not just to battle with me or something! Why not ask us to join you for lunch, catch up on our journeys, and maybe share stories!"

Black sighed and smiled, "you're right Bianca. Tell me about how your journey's been going."

"Well… actually it's been kind of rough. We've run into a couple of criminals… and… and…"

"Hey Black," Cheren calls as he spots him down the street, "Wanna have a Pokemon battle?... Oh, Ivory and Bianca!? What are you doing here?"

"We're on our journeys, dummy," Bianca huffed indignantly, "why is it surprising that we're here."

Cheren blinked in surprise and said, "um… well… I just figured you'd be in your group or something and looking at a museum."

"I'll have you know that I've been travelling without my group since the beginning! It's why I texted both of you and asked you guys if you wanted to join me and Ivory on our journeys! Both of you never responded! Do you even look at those stupid xtransciever things!?"

Cheren looked abashed and said, "… well we've been busy training. It takes a lot of time to train your Pokemon and develop a strategy."

"So. you're saying that you've been out in the forest training your Pokemon 24/7 with absolutely no time to call us and say how you're doing?"

"You're right Bianca," Black said softly, "We should have called, but a journey, especially the Masters Journey which we've taken, requires us to be alone most of the time. If we're going to be the best, we have to spend us much time with our Pokemon to see how they fight, gauge their weaknesses and strengths, and develop a strategy to work around them. Do you know what we do in our spare time, Bianca? We study other battles done by the best. I can't tell you how many matches I've watched where someone challenges the Elite Four or the Champion. What have you two done? Cuddled Pokemon and seen a million Musicals!?"

Bianca looks like she's about to cry and said, "you have no idea what we've been through on our journey!"

"Besides," I interjected, "how do you know we wouldn't have been able to help you? A journey is about becoming better as a person and making lasting friendships between people and Pokemon. It's not just about becoming stronger! Maybe we could have helped in your training!"

"By what," Black snapped finally turning to look at me, "by stopping my battles or telling me to connect more to my Pokemon. What would you know about being a trainer? You don't even know what Nightstar's moves are. I doubt you even know that it's weak against ground type."

"You don't understand Hilbert-"

Black's eyes flashed with fury and he yelled "MY NAME IS BLACK! And it's you who doesn't understand Ivory! You've always gotten anything you've ever wanted. Why is it that during the summer, you can go wherever place you want just to have people cater to your every need, and when I finally get to do something on my own, you have to come in and take it away from me. It's always been 'Ivory this' or 'Ivory that' with mom and dad. Even when you do something like skip school to hang out in the woods, people are fine with it. Everyone has always told you that you're special and they treat you with respect. Whenever we visit dad in his lab, all the other scientists ignore me and go straight to you. Can you imagine how that makes me feel? To always be outclassed by your little sister. To have everyone care more about you than me? Now you expect me to be happy to see you. Well I'm not Ivory. I wish you would have stayed home and left me alone to at least have this one thing to myself!"

I'm speechless at this. I felt so stupid for not even thinking about my brother's feelings when I decided that I wanted to go on a journey. I felt ashamed and I can't keep back the tears that are forming in my eyes, "I'm sorry," I say in a barely audible voice before turning and running away.

"Ivory," I hear Black call, but it's too little too late. In this moment, I just wish I could disappear forever.

I found myself staring out into Nimbasa City's bay in the amusement park with bushes surrounding me to conceal me from view. I'd already gotten several calls from Bianca, a couple from Cheren and later when I kept not responding to them from N and even from the Musical, but none from Black. I ignored all of them. It had already been several hours since Black and I had had our fight, but the words still stung, and I couldn't get over them.

I would have never believed that Black had felt that way about me before. I knew he had started to become a little distant when I had started going to my internships, but I had no idea he resented me for that. I never thought me being a Whisperer would get in the way of my family. Nightstar nuzzled against my chest, but I didn't pet him.

The more time that had passed between that incident, the angrier I became. 'I can't do anything about the fact that I'm a Whisperer,' I thought angrily to myself. 'I was born this way. I didn't ask for this. Besides, Black has no idea what I must go through to be a Whisperer. Maybe I get special attention, but it's not always in a good way. There's always a ton of security and people start worrying about me if I go missing for too long… they're probably worried now.' I think gloomily to myself. 'Well let them.'

I sighed and looked down at Nightstar who stared back up at me. He'd always been with me through everything, my closest friend. If not being a Whisperer meant that I couldn't be with Nightstar and understand him on the deep level that we did, then I didn't want it. But it would be nice to not have all the rest of the baggage that came with it.

I feel a sudden chill, as if I'm being looked at, and I whip around to see if anyone's there. Nothing. Only the sound of happy amusement park patrons wandering around. I sigh and continue to look out at the bay. I watch as the sun lowers closer to the horizon, making the water and sky gleam in a more orangish hue.

Suddenly I hear some rustling when out pops Trixie from the bushes who excitedly chatters when she sees me. More rustles and I see N who looks completely relieved to see me.

"Oh thank Arceus you're alright Ivory," N says quickly kneeling next to me, "we were all so worried! What happened?"

I stare at the ground for a moment before whispering, "my brother hates me."

N looks startled and slightly confused. To be honest, I don't think N even knew that I had a sibling seeing as how they've never actually met. He regains his composure and says, "I'm sure that's not true, Ivory. When I was younger, I used to fight with my oldest sister Concordia all the time. I always thought she was too protective and wouldn't let me do anything because she wouldn't let me leave the woods, even to go get supplies for our home. One day… well you didn't know this, but I followed you home. I wanted to see the world you came from. I thought Nuvema was amazing and so big. Everyone seemed nice, and I couldn't understand why we lived by ourselves in the woods. Anyway, Concordia found me and Trixie playing in an empty playground with other Pokemon and she was furious. We've never had such a terrible fight. I-I even told her that I hated her. It was awful for a couple of days, but eventually I apologized, and she did as well, and everything went back to normal."

I stared at him for a moment. I had no idea that that had happened. He had never told me about that, and you would have never guessed it by the way the three acted around each other. Concordia had always been more like a protective mother than a sister to her two younger siblings and especially with N. Anthea was also like that, but she was a little more up to doing fun things and would sometimes play with us in the woods while Concordia would silently watch over us. I finally say, "so… you're telling me that I should apologize to my brother and things will go back to being normal."

N smiled and said, "yes, and they may even get a little better. Come on, let's get out of these bushes." He takes my hand and walks me through the amusement park. N smiles as he looks up at the large Ferris Wheel, "you know," he says quietly, "I've never been on a Ferris Wheel before."

"You haven't?" I ask, "well let me be the one to educate you about it." I then steer him towards the Ferris Wheel and get in the short line for it.

"Shouldn't we go see Bianca and your brother?" N asked halfheartedly, but I could tell that he wanted to go on it as well.

"They can wait a little longer… besides, I still don't really want to face my brother." 'and I want to spend more time alone with you,' I think to myself. I feel myself blush and I glance up at N who smiles slightly. 'He knows… should have just said it out loud,' I mentally reprimand myself for having such readable expressions.

To my surprise, Nightstar and Trixie (who's disguised as a little girl again) step away from the line when we get to the front. Both N and I stare at them, but Trixie grins and makes little shooing motions with her hands while Nightstar just winks and smiles at me coyly. 'Does everyone know that me and N have feelings for each other!?'

We slide into the carriage and we're slowly taken up into the sky. I feel very aware that it's just me and him in a small area. It's almost like all my senses are heightened and I can't help but feel as if the temperature were rising. "Thank you," I said quietly, "thank you for everything. I can't tell you how happy I am that we've been able to spend this time travelling together and getting to know each other even better than before."

N takes my hand and looks in my eyes and says, "I feel the same way. I feel as if we've never stopped being friends even during the years that we were apart. You make me feel and think so differently, Ivory," N says as he looks at me with sincerity, "You are so open to everyone's views and you're kind and thoughtful to the people and Pokemon around you. You're also brave. You stand up for the people you love even when others won't."

"I feel the same way about you N," I say breathily.

N glances away and looks out the window before saying "there are things that you don't know about me, Ivory. Things that I have to keep secret, but I would tell you in an instant if I could."

"I don't care what those things are. We all have secrets N."

"Well… at least let me tell you this secret," N then takes both my hands in his and leans forward and looks deeply into my eyes, "Ivory Greystorm, for quite a while now I've been started thinking about you more than a friend. I think about you all the time and I worry about you when you're not around. Ivory… I love you."

I feel my eyes begin to water as I lean toward him and whisper, "I love you too." Our lips find each other and we both kiss in the fading light of the sun and over the lights of Nimbasa City.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Please R/R!