I take a deep breath. Time to let this all out. "Well, it all started when I was ten. Right on my tenth birthday, actually. That was when I learned my parents weren't who they made themselves out to be.

"Professor Juniper actually made the trip to my apartment for my birthday. She'd wanted to give me a Pokemon so I could start a journey. That's part of her job, obviously, but this was the first time she came to someone's house rather than having the kid visit her lab. She said she'd seen something in my eyes when she did a presentation at my school, that I was special.

"I didn't really understand what she meant by that, but I was still ecstatic to get what I'd been craving since very early in my childhood: a friend."

Zorua looks at me, confused. Did you not have any friends at your school?

"Not a one. I never really fit in. Not to say I didn't try to make friends, but apparently, everyone found me a bit... off."

That's sad.

I snort in laughter. "If you think that's sad, just you wait. I've only just gotten started. Anyways, when Professor Juniper had me make my choice, my parents stopped her. 'We've got other plans for him,' they said.

"I was crushed, obviously. After the professor had left, I asked them, with tears in my eyes, what they meant. My answer came in the form of a swift slap. 'You're not fit to be going on any journey,' my father told me. He brought me to a window and made me look out at the city. 'You see those people? They all have jobs, Markus. They actually contribute to society. Pokemon trainers like that Juniper hag contribute nothing!'

"He forced me into a factory job, to 'contribute to society.'"

I glance at Zorua, and it's frozen in shock. That's horrible. They should have at least given you a choice!

"From that day forward, there was no such thing as 'choice' for me. At least the rude awakening was enough to take the rose-colored glasses off, enough to show me who my parents really were. Corrupt, money-hungry demons, horrible excuses for human beings.

"All they truly saw me as was another source of profit. I was never their son."

I pause, noticing we'd made it near the middle of Skyarrow Bridge by this point. The calm waters below bring back fond memories, memories made earlier today.

"I tried to get away many times, from both my apartment and the factory. I lost my job eventually, earning me a particularly brutal beating. Most times I never made it beyond city limits."

Zorua nuzzles into my neck, attempting to comfort me. Well, at least you have me now. Me and Snivy, that is.

"No doubt they're looking for me. No doubt they've also gotten the police involved. The difference this time is that I've gotten much farther than any other time I've tried."

I can help you if they catch up, you know. I am your Pokemon, after all.

Zorua hops down from my shoulder and starts to walk beside me. Besides, I can do this!

I blink, and suddenly I'm in a dense forest. I stumble, surprised at the sudden change.

Relax, it's just an illusion. I can conjure these up any time I want to confuse and deceive whoever I want. It's been really useful to get me when I need to get out of hairy situations.

I blink again, and I'm back on the bridge. "Cool."

I look down at Snivy, and it seems dazed. I guess it got confused by the illusion, too.

At this point, we've neared the other end of Skyarrow Bridge, where I can see what I believe to be Pinwheel Forest. I start walking again, tears rolling down my cheeks. I really did need to let that out. It is good to know that this time I'll have help, though.

We reach the end of the bridge in relative silence, with me not having much to say anymore. The trees of Pinwheel Forest loom before me, but I walk forwards with no hesitation, intent on getting that Pokedex.

You know, Markus, we could rest here for the night.

"Huh?" I look to the sky and realize I'd been so caught up in spilling my guts that I hadn't noticed how dark it had gotten. "Oh. Yeah, I guess we could."

I glance around, quickly noticing a small clearing off to my left. "That seems like a good spot."

As I make to walk towards it, I start to hear voices coming from that direction. I lean slightly to the left, and a head of frizzy red hair reveals itself from behind a tree. "Hello?"

The head turns, and I'm greeted with a girl's face, seemingly about my age. She's wearing circular glasses that she pushes closer to her eyes before stepping around the tree to confront me. She puts a hand on her hip, shooting me an annoyed glare. "What?"

"Oh, um, hi, sorry to bother you. We've just been looking for a place to set up camp and we didn't think there'd be anyone else here."

"Well, I don't like that you've interrupted my meditation, but I suppose you could share this space with me for the night." She turns around and waves us further into the clearing.

As I follow her, more of the clearing is revealed, along with a small tent and two mats, one of which is occupied by a dozing Slowpoke. The smell of incense permeates the air, making me woozy.

"Do you... live here?" I ask tentatively.

"Not exactly," she replies, sitting on the mat opposite the Slowpoke and taking what I assume to be a meditative pose. "I'm a bit of a nomad, constantly moving around and seeing new places. I actually just got here from Kalos a few days ago." She turns to me. "What about you?"

Me and Zorua share a pained look. "I just started my journey a little while ago, that's about it. I don't really have a destination in mind."

This answer seems to satisfy her. "Okay. I'm Donna, by the way. What's your name?"

"Markus."

I sit down and lean against a nearby tree. I let go of Snivy and it curls up in my lap, clearly ready for some rest.

"Do you mind if we just sleep now? I'm exhausted and not really up for more conversation."

Donna smiles at me. "That's fine. I was just about to get back to meditating, myself. Just try not to snore too loud."

I chuckle. "Can do. See you in the morning, I guess."

As Zorua too makes use of my body to rest, I close my eyes and begin to sleep.