Author'sNotes

Last chapter we saw Chase acquire his third badge as well as reveal to Roxie and Bianca that he could talk to Pokemon.

We entered the Pokémon Centre and I handed Lisbeth and Khaeg to the nurse and then went to the waiting area. "So where do you plan on going to now Chase?" Roxie.

I thought for a moment then answered "I was gonna go to Nimbasa". Roxie was about to say something then her Xtransciever rang so she walked away to answer it. I sat there staring at the ceiling when I heard one of my Pokémon pop out of their Pokéball. I looked down and saw that it was Zelen. He then climbed up me and settled in his place around my neck.

"Didn't that human with strange hair ask you to meet him on route 4?" he asked me

I nodded and answered softly "Yeah for a battle".

"Will we battle him?"

"If he is still there we will?"

"If who is still where?" Roxie asked curiously having returned from her call.

"Some scientist asked me to battle him on Route Four so he could test some theory. He was rambling and I didn't fully follow him. Never even got his name," I told her.

"Will you be able to find him on Route 4?" she asked.

I nodded and answered "Yeah, he has the strangest hair style I have ever seen".

"Ah ok," she responded then continued and "any ways I have a something I want to ask you".

"Sure, what is it?" I asked her curiously.

She turned her head away a little and said a little shyly "I… wanted to know if you'd be okay with me travelling with you?"

I reeled in surprised and stammered out "R-r-really? I mean I have no problem with it but why do you want to travel with me?"

"Because I see you as a friend and I want to get to travel with you to get to know you better".

"And I see you as a friend too but I meant what prompted you asking me?"

"Oh, Clay called me and asked me to come to Driftveil as soon as I can," she told me before continuing in an annoyed tone "wouldn't tell me why only to 'hurry the hell up and get here," She then added in a barely audiblie tone with what looked like a blush on her face, "Though that's not the only reason I want to travel with you".

Before I could response the nurse came over to and handed me my Pokémon while telling "Here you are sir. Your Pokémon are heal though I would recommend waiting a day or two before battling with your Tranquil".

I nodded my thanks to the nurse and then turned to Roxie and asked "You ready to leave now or…?"

"We can leave now if you want," she responded.

"If you are all set to go we can leave whenever".

"Alright but let us say goodbye to Bianca first".

"Sure," I said nodding. A few minutes later Bianca walked in.

"Hey guys sorry about that," Bianca said apologetically.

I waved her apology aside and responded "It's fine Bianca".

She then looked at me and Roxie and asked knowingly "So when did you guys decide to travel together?"

Roxie and I looked at each other, then looked away and blushed a little before Roxie answered "A few minutes ago,". I nodded my agreement and while Bianca just laughed at our reactions, I could even feel Zelen trying not to laugh at mine and Roxie's reactions.

I sighed mentally and then asked "So will you be sticking around Castelia or will you be heading off else where?".

"Elsewhere. Professor Juniper called me up and said she had some research she wanted me to do".

I nodded and responded "So this will be goodbye for a while then?"

"Yeah but that doesn't mean we can't keep in touch. We do have each other's numbers, so please call from time to time if you need help or anything or just want to talk".

"Aright sure Bianca".

"Well I'm gonna go, I'll see you two later,"

"Bye Bianca," Roxie and I chorused. Bianca then gave each of us a hug before leaving.

I then turned to Roxie and told her with a hint of sadness in my voice "Roxie there's a place I'd like to go before we leave.

"Where did you want to go?" Roxie asked me curiously.

"To where Shimone, my Patrat, is buried. I was unable to say anything when I buried her and I want to say something before we head off".

"Sure Chase, would you like me to come with you?"

I thought for a moment then answered "Yes, please". Roxie just nodded and we left the Pokémon Centre and headed towards Castelia Sewers. Once we arrived at the sewer entrance called out Zerry who landed on my head. He saw where we were and asked "Why are we here lad?"
"First can you get off my head? Now that you're a Golbat you aren't exactly light," Zerry hopped off my head and I continued "can you guide us back to where Shimone is buried? I… wish to say some words before we leave Castelia".

"I can do that lad, let us get going," Zerry responded and then flew into the sewer with Roxie and I following close behind. Thirty minutes later we arrived in the garden where I had buried Shimone. Roxie looked around at the place and said in awe "This place is beautiful Chase. Hard to believe that it's located in Castelia City".

"Burgh brought me here after we caught those Plasma bastards so I could bury Shimone here," I told her sadness in my voice.

Roxie placed her hand on my shoulder and told me "It wasn't your fault Chase".

I let out a sigh and responded "That's what I keep telling myself". I then knelt in front of Shimone's and tried to speak but I couldn't. I then felt Roxie place her hand on my shoulder again, giving it a squeeze of encouragement. I also heard my Pokémon exiting their Pokéballs and sensed my Pokémon around me giving me the strength I needed to speak. "Shimone, I'm… sorry. I wish I had of known not to let a Patrat wander around the sewers of Castelia and I'm sorry that I caused your death. I wish I had of gotten to know you better. I hope where ever you are you are happy with the resting place I gave you," I said forcing out each word as tears rolled down my face finally expression the emotions I had held back since her death. I knelt there silently for a few more minutes letting all my tears leave me. I got up wiped my eyes, turned to Roxie and said apologetically "Sorry you had to see me like that".

Roxie shook her head at me and responded rather firmly, "Don't ever apologise for something like that Chase".

I let out a smile despite my mood, nodded then said "Alright I wont". I then looked at Shimone's grave then at my Zelen, Lisbeth, Khaeg and Thuhir and asked "Guys do you have anything you want to say to Shimone before we leave. It will be a while before we come back here?" Lisbeth, Zelen and Khaeg gave me no while Thuhir used its Confusion to lay flowers atop Shimone's grave. I gave it a grateful smile not feeling the need to use words. I recalled all of them but Zerry and asked "Would you mind guiding us back out Zerry?".

"Of course lad it would be my pleasure," Zerry responded before flying back into sewers to guide us out. Roxie entered the sewers immediately behind Zerry while I gave Shimone's grave one last look, mouthed goodbye at it and followed them.

A/N

So Roxie will be joining Chase on his journey for a while. What was is that that Clay wants Roxie for and what is the other reason as to why Roxie wants to travel with Chase. You'll have to keep reading to find out.

Zerry actually evolved will I was taking on the gym trainers while trying to get to Burgh. I couldnt think of any way to actually show him evolving in the story.

Anyways I hope hope you enjoyed this chapter and as always please review.