StevenZX12 : 2020 update. Its crazy to think that I first wrote this chapter 4 years ago. We were barely finishing up XYZ. I was fanboying on Amourshipping and handling my business. 4 years later, i am rocking 2 jobs, enjoying life to the fullest. Time changes, yet my passion keeps coming back :) anyhow, I don't own anything but the Nuevo overworld and my OCs. The rest belongs to their respective owners. Enjoy the chapter people!

Last, on Nuevo, Legend of Quetzar:

Our heroine, Snow Nightshade challenged a cowboy enthousiast called Ricardo. After gaining an early advantage, Snow was decimated by a native Pokemon called Somberado. The white haired teen's Vulpix got severely injured in the process. At the end of it all, Snow lost all will to battle and even keep going, admitting to Andre later that she was done...

Chapter 11 : Darkness and Light

Snow had been constantly reliving the battle ever since she had woke up in her care room in Jade Forest's Pokemon Center. She would curse bitterly every time she reminded herself of how empowered she felt during some some part of the battle. Because of her overconfidence, she had pushed Andre away when he had the better strenght between the two of them. She had locked him into place, knowing how he was. She had let Foliat and then Vulpix being a crazed ghost type target practice. She had failed to show Ricardo that she wasn't just a pretty face...her Beloved Vulpix came really really close to be permanently gone. She beat herself over and over...then realized that it wasnt worth it. Travelling and discovering wasn't worth the risk to lose the Pokemons that made it happen. It was dangerous for her, as she already was once kidnapped by the native. She thought of Sven, who was nice, but still a bit alien to her still..and there was Andre. Andre, the nice boy she had encountered in the plane to Nuevo. The boy that bonded with her in a way no other person did. The boy who was willing, unlike herself, to hurt himself in order to encourage or protect his Pokemon. Andre, who was now sitting next to her, wait...what?

Snow was a bit surprised to see Andre next to her already, but didn't question it, she didn't the heart to. She merely leaned on him, finding some fleeting comfort in his shoulder.

''Andre...i want to go back home and quit being a trainer...'' she whispered softly, bitterly crying out of sadness and shame.

''Snow, don't say that'' shushed her companion, sitting on the bed while taking the hand of the silver haired girl.

Snow kept crying for a while, just soft and bitter cries that made Andre's heart churn and turn. Andre had been brought up by two women so he knew one thing. He was really sensible to a woman's tears. He hated to see Snow distraught more than anything. Andre gently wrapped an arm around Snow. "Iztaca..." Andre muttered softly. As he ran his hands soothingly up and down Snow's back. The warmth of that touch sent the waterworks off once more, with Snow crying once again. The lentimas native kept rubbing her back, wordlessly ans soothingly, preparing himself for an all nighter if he had to. There was no way he was leaving Snow in that state tonight. Soon enough, after at the very least half an hour, Snow sobs softly receded. She stayed in Andre's grasp however and just stared sadly at the window her room provided.

''I am so sorry'' She apologized softly, her voice barely a whisper...and trembling with shame.

Andre caringly stroke her hair and replied. ''Why? You have nothing to apologize for..."

''Because I am a bad trainer and I am moody and manipulative...'' She continued, more tears threatening to fall from her beautiful silver eyes.

Andre looked a little shocked about what she had said. ''How are you moody and manipulative'?"He inquired.

Snow thought quickly of all the time her mood had endangered both herself and Andre; during the natives incident, where she had forced both Sven and Andre to endanger themselves for her sake. And the day's event, where she had hurt Her pokemon and visibly hurt Andre too since the teen was wincing when clutched him and she could feel the bandages under the teen's shirt. She also had flashing thoughts about how funny she found it when Andre would lose his wits before her eyes. This last bit almost made her want to gouge her eyes out. How could she be so petty...

''Don't you understand Andre ?! She bitterly spat, angrily clutching Andre's shirt with her fists... When I came with you , I am sure that I used my cuteness to make you accept me as your companion, I was happy that you weren't just drooling over me like a Growlithe in heat, but then when I understood that I could mesmerize you more easily than others, I messed with your head too many times already. This mesmerizing aura, i hate it mow. I was never a normal girl, but now this peculiarity just hurt Pokemon I love and people I care about. I should never have left my town...I...Andre...I am a bad person, a bad trainer and...a bad friend...'' she berated herself. Andre sighed and unwrapped his arm from around the delicate white haired teen. The sudden loss of warmth quieted the white haired teen who looked at Andre. The latter had a slightly pissed off expression that somehow scared Snow to the core. She felt like she could barely breathe.

"Snow." Andre said with a neutral expression...even though Snow could feel that it was controlled, measured. She expected him dismiss her like the weak, bad luck charm she was.

"I am glad that you have woken up and feel well enough to say all of these obscenities..." Andre warmly said, his face melting into the gentle, caring one Snow had learned to adore.

Snow got choked up. Even then, Andre refused to be angry at her or berate her. He was genuinely happy her body was okay. Now more than ever, she felt that she wasn't deserving of such care. She opened her mouth to speak...but stopped rather quickly..

''Shut up Snow. Now let me see how you grit those teeth." Andre warned as he raised his hand

Snow flinched, but closed her eyes. She deserved it after all and worse..she thought. She was too weak to defend herself anyway so she should just let it happen.

That was not knowing who Andre Cautemoc Aegis was.

The lentimas native did hit Snow, but with minimal force and when his open palm did reach her cheek, he merely cupped Snow's cheek and forced her to at him in his eyes.

Andre fought off any warmth to settle. He had a message to pass, and he would pass it, regardless of how much he wanted to coddle Snow. "Listen to me Snow. First of all, never insult yourself in front of me ever again. You aren't a bad trainer, you aren't a bad friend and you are surely as hell aren't a bad person. So miss me with that shit, Iztaca." He commanded, the blunt of his words a bit lessened by the fact that he was gently brushing Snow's face with his thumb.

''Listen Snow", Andre started. "You should know that Vulpix is safe. She will make a full recovery by tomorrow morning, aside of a few minor scars that will dissapear over time." The teen conveyed. The new seemed to deeply relieve Snow to the point that she leaned back on her pillow...away from Andre's touch...much to her chagrin. That feeling was soon overtaken by her immense relief. She actually would have jumped off her bed to see her beloved starter if she hadn't been so drained.

"Thanks all the Gods..." She whispered, her eyes welling again.

Andre allowed her a few seconds to digest her happiness...then went on to the meat of the subject.

"Now Iztaca, listen to me, and listen well. I want you to know that I started travelling with you because you looked like you were a nice girl. Yes, your mood put yourself, myself and Sven in danger. Yes sometimes, your odd, beautiful, mesmerizing eyes made me forget my name, my age and what was the temperature forecast of the day, but I wouldn't have it any other way. That is who you are Snow. The Snow Nightshade I appreciate. That Ricardo guy roughed you up and said mean things to you. Those kind of people exist, Iztaca. Won't be the first nor the last, but i know that deep down, you won't give up after this one defeat. Its okay to be scared. Hell, I was too when I saw this somber ghost thing just split into 12 before shooting it up. I actually appologize, I should have not listened to you and went in anyway!

Snow reacted badly at this suggestion ; "Why? Why would you even get yourself hurt for someone else's Pokemon. Do you think that I want you to act as my and my Pokemon own personal meatshield? She asked, her voice breaking up at the last part.

Andre shrugged in a very indiferrent manner, but his eyes conveyed a warmth that had to be unnatural. "Better be me than the people I care about. I was always this way. You were scared Snow, you didn't know what to do. I was merely willing to do it. This has nothing to do with you being bad or unwilling to hurt for your Pokemon. I know how much you love them." He explained, wincing from his back injury..

Snow shuffled back to Andre and slapped him lightly. "You big idiot, you should know by now that I don't like seeing you get hurt..." She said sofly, leaning back on his shoulder...

Andre couldn't help it...he gently wrapped his arms around Snow, pulling her closer to him. The white haired teen closed her eyes in contentment. "Then become strong Cualtzin Iztaca, strong enough so I don't have to be your shield. Become strong in your own way, by your own style. You want to do contest. This is an amazing path worth fighting for. Not giving up after failure and standing after a down is all getting stronger is about. You don't need to be me. To act like me. To feel that i am of ideal to look up to. Between the two of us, you are the most special by far. You are your own person Snow, not some damsel in distress remember? So please Snow, stand back up, show the world who you are, and show this fucking cowboy who got the pants..." Andre finished, his hand having been intertwined with Snow's for a while. Andre sighed in relief. Snow seemed to be somewhat back...but something was missing... Something that normally threatened to turn his knees into marmelade everytime he saw it.

''Smile !'' He ordered the girl who just blinked in confusion.

''….''

''Snow, smile for me please ?'' Andre pleaded, giving her a oh so out of character puppy eyes look.

This time the teen blushed and a smile started to form on the corner of her eyes. Andre interiorly smirked. This was progress...

''Snow, you gotta smile or i'll tell an Abomasnow to throw you in a pond filled with powder snow while getting your white hair wet and frozen many times in a row , not to forget how much the tickle storm i'll give you will have you laugh like a mad Widow...'' He continued...he sounded like a fool, and he was fully aware of it, but Andre's mind was dead set on only one thing...and he hardly cared about anything else.

Snow's blush became redder as she imagined Andre tickling her before sending him into a pond of Snow...right she mainly blushed at the thought og Snow tickling her. Her smile seemed to widen even more. Knowing he was close to his goal, the raven haired teenager decided to bring out his favourite and killer. Boy this guy would made Sven proud.

''I HEARD THAT'' Sven shouted from wherever he was...

''I really though I could make you laugh at this one...You wig Snow, stay like that..." Andre sighed, shaking his head in pure fake distaught.

Snow blinked...

Snow's blush reddened as the corner of her mouth started twitching

Snow's eyes welled up, but there was a light that wasn"t there before...

Andre counted down the time in his head...he was so close

''She should react in 3...2...1''

''Ha...ha...'' she chuckled

Andre smiled, he had pierced the veil of darkness and brough his friend to see the light.

''Hahaha...haha...ha''

Andre now relaxed, it wouldn't be long now. Just like a samurai of old, he imagined sheathing a sword called laughter back in his scabbard.

''0!''

The match was decided.

''HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OH MY ARCEUS HAHAHAHAHA ! YOU WIG !? HAHA ! Have you taken some courses from Sven or something ?! Hahahhaha. You wig ? I'm telling you...hahahaha.'' Snow laughted merrily, tears spilling from the corner of her eyes. The girl was so lost in her laugter that she hugged Andre and kept on laughing on, releasing by the same time all ill feeling she had gathered. Andre smiled happily. He was glad that she had finally released all the bad tension she had accumulated...

''Andre, thank you so much...I don't think I am willing to go back home just yet..." Snow admitted, burying her face in Andre's shirt. Andre sighed once again happy that his friend cheered up.

Snow remembered that he wanted to see her smile so she gently pulled herself out of Andre's arms and looked at him, her eyes meeting his. She was smiling broadly, ever so thankful for his existance in her life. Andre lost himself in her eyes. The light had come back, her silver eyes pulling him in and tuning out everything else. Her smile lit up a fire inside him to the point that he forgot that his back even hurt at all. Snow found the same emotions dancing in his eyes...Care, warmth, tenderness...and maybe something even deeper, hidden, something that she wanted to know what it was... Closing her eyes, Snow hugged Andre, whispering tenderly in his ear that she would never forget what he did for her and that he was special to her.

Andre gently hugged Snow back; "I won't mind being your Aegis ,Cualtzin Iztaca, Come to me anytime. That's what friends are for." He said softly, gently passing his fingers in her hair, something that filled Snow with such warm fuzz that she wished that this moment never ended. Both teenagers stayed like that for a long while, neither feeling like letting go of each other, both basking in the pure light of the evening moon, their darkness for now eradicated.

"Andre?" Snow softly asked, hugging the Lentimas native just a smideon tighter

"Hmmm?"

"What does Cualtzin means?" She gently asked.

Andre blushed, but didn't reply right away.; "I'll tell you one other time Iztaca...you should rest now..." He gently said as he helped Snow lay in her bed once more. The raven haired teen gently caressed Snow's cheek as he walked toward the door. "Sweet dreams, Cualtzin Iztaca. Tomorrow is a new beginning." He said.

"You too Andre, ill see you tomorrow!" She said. Andre never knew why, but Snow's smile, under the moonlight, looked so beautiful that it took his breath away. His heart beating a few tics faster, he closed the door behind him, trying to still his quickly beating muscle..."I feel so warm for some reason...That cuteness...is really not legal...not even my sister or my mother possesses such charm..." He muttered under his breath as he went to his room. For now, Snow would be fine. That was all that mattered.

Back in Snow's room, the white haired teen Smiled warmly. Andre's warm hand still in her memories and she sighed. "Mama, I think that you were right after all... Fate is truly a wonderful thing sometimes...he brings you the blackest of darkness...and the purest of lights..." She whispered as she drifted off to sleep, a certain Lentimas native Unovian at the forefront of her thoughts.

.

Meanwhile in the temple near the contest hall

Sven had been walking toward the rendezvous point. His intuition was right when he had seen Snow Nightshade attacked by the native. He knew that the girl was special somehow and that she might have been the one they were waiting for. He couldn't be entirely sure, but he had a mission to conduct. He had witnessed the release of Snow's inner power when she was battling another native, Ricardo. It made clear that this Snow girl was special, truly special.

''Not only she possess a very magnetic ability, but she is able to bring her power to her pokemon and is able to attract a certain legendary pokemon.'' The teenager pondered while reaching the point where it was convened with his Rendezvous.

''Well bro ? What do you think we have to do?'' Gilla asked, walking next to his trainer as a way to get some rust out of his paws.

'' Well we will know when we will see him, my man Gilla'' Sven replied before stopping upon seeing the one that he wanted to see.

''I see you are still able to talk to your pokemon Sven.'' A deep, grave voice greeted the older teen.

The teen smirked at the voice he heard, seeing that the one who greeted him was none other than the Nuevo league's Champion : Ahmad '' tlamacatzintli'' Tenothcilàn.

He was a rather tall, dark skinned man with black dreaded hair which were held together in a short pigtail by a plastic gum. He was wearing a long black trench coat which sported dark purple flames mosaic on the lower end of the said coat. On his back was latched a lackey black obsidian rock with a fork like end which was held in place by a little customable socket. He was wearing his trench open, which made his shadowy purple shirt appear out. On the said shirt, a Nuevo league symbol was represented by a pin. This pin, symbol of the championship of the Nuevo Region was placed on the right side of his shirt. Ahmad was wearing black fingerless gloves and a quartz ring on the annulaire of the right hand. He wore his pokeballs on his belt, 3 pokeball on one side and 2 on the other side, leaving his strongest and oldest pokemon, an Umbreon named Umbra, next to him as she hated to stay in one, like his homologue champion from Kalos, Ash's Pikachu. He was wearing black camo pants presenting the same flame like design on each exterior side of the pants and finally wasn't wearing any shoes. He liked keeping his feet in contact with the ground. He was also wearing a necklace containing a crystal like jade stone in the middle of it.

His umbreon had the particularity to be shiny, and apparently it rendered her pretty attractive to the other pokemon. Her playful nature wasn't helping either.

Sven smiled at this. This man had been his mentor during his younger days and had helped him go through that incident. He showed him the ropes of pokemon battling and upon discovering his special heritage, helped him understand his rôle better...

''Yes indeed, I am now able to bond easily with pokemon fromt that type and understand them quite easily now.'' The teenager replied with enthousiasm, closing the little gap separating them and hugging his mentor and friend in a fraternal hug.

''It's good to see that you are doing well Sven'' Ahmad replied while the dark cat purred and rubbed herself on his leg.

''Well I am pretty sure I'll stay Alomom- OK for a while my friemd. I have gotten a lot of Pay Day since the last time we encountered each other.'' Joked the major teenager.

Ahmad looked a him a little blank eyed while Umbra just stared at Sven, unable to shake off the horrible pun he had just made.

''Dude. That was just horrible man'' Umbra sneered, giving Sven a look who screamed 'That sucked!'

''See what I have to live with everyday of my life..." Gilla groaned while poking his trainer in aggravation. ''Wait..." He started, discreetly eyeing the shiny umbreon.

A little redish blush appeared on his cheeks upon seeing that the Moonlight pokemon was kinda hot to look at. ''You are kinda cute'' He added while turning away shyly from the Dark pokemon intense gaze.

The Umbreon didn't seem too phased with it since she was used to that. Also the fact that Ankillosore was in her egg group so she could understand how it could happen. This Gillia didn't seem like a child pokemon despite being on his first stage still.

She chuckled a bit because she could sense that the little poison type wasn't saying that in a naughty way and just genuingly liked her. Sensing his pure heart, the Dark cat smiled sweetly at Gilla and messed with his head a little by purposely using a very cute tail whip attack.

''Whoa" Was Gilla's only reply, now turning redder than a tamato berry

''Zzzz Snoores'' Was Ketruffle's reply, startling everyone present.

''How did that sleepy shroom got out of his pokeball'' Pondered Dessola, landing near Gilla

However, the poison pin pokemon had no answer, seemingly not even noticing the sudden appearance of the poison type pokemon from seemingly nowhere. His attention span was completely taken over by the cute Umbreon in front of him...Dessoula wing slapped her forehead...
''Males will be males'' she mused before using a light wing attack to snap the poison type out of his trance like stare. Upon reuniting with reality, Gilla sent a questionning look to Dessoula, who shrugged.
''You were staring '' She simply explained, making Gilla look away blushing, much to the dead bird's amusement.

Ahmad and Sven smiled at this, seeing that their pokemon were getting a long pretty well.

''So Mr. Machampion, what did you needed to sleep talk me about ?'' inquired Sven, taking blace on a rock nearby the temple.

''Some news i've received and also about something that happened earlier today and i wanted to hear your toughts, being a fellow countryman like me.'' Ahmad explained while taking his own seat and pulling out two freshened Oran berry lemonades, giving one to his friend then chugging a good chunk of it down.

''Let's hear it then'' Sven invited the champion before sipping is own lemon berry quite slowly.

''Today I was able to sense a high degree of Aura around the Pokemon Center and this is where I saw her. She had silvery white hair and a white hue around her. She could apparently transfer that kind of energy to her Pokemon, a shiny Vulpix'' The black haired man said, making sven eyebrows to raise.

''You mean Snow Nightshade ?'' Sven answered, hitting his fist on the palmof his hand..

''You know her ?'' Ahmad asked, intrigued.

''Yes I do, I am travelling with her and another boy called Andre Cautemoc Aegis.'' Sven answered, chuckling at Ahmad's face.

''I see. That's the assignment they gave you then.''

''Yes it is, so it would seems''

''Then what is so big about Snow, apart of the fact that she has mesmerizing Silver eyes and that she is really pretty. I am four year older than her but i cannot deny that the girl has her cuteness points'' Sven continued.

Ahmad, however, had lost any will to smile. His face became slightly grave.

Sven saw this change of atmosphere and all joking and pun thoughts going on in his head were halted. Now much more serious, he asked Ahmad to fill him in to why the atmosphere was more heavy.

''Just to confirm, you did say silver eyes right ?'' Ahmad asked Sven.

''Yes, I concur.'' Sven asked.

''I see. This explains a lot. Have the native made a move on her yet.. ?'' The champion whispered to the taller teen , making Sven bite his lips, now catching on on what Ahmad was really referring.

''Yes, they tried to adbuct her to be a priestess in replacement of one that was sick. That's what the natives that we defeated back at Green Oak told us at least.'' Sven recalled , sipping once again on his Lemonade in order to calm down his nerves a little.

''So they do still exist. That group of native...'' Ahmad gravely deported.

''There is more to it isn't it Champion'' Sven asked, getting worried for his friend.

''Yes there is.'' Ahmad confirmed, chugging down some Oran berry Lemonade down, as he was preparing for a rather long explanation.

''The way this energy seemed to circle around her is eerily similar to the after effect of someone receiving grace. This grace however, the way it happened, makes me believe that a certain entity is the one to blame her. Those traits, they seem to hail the arrival of the fertility Pokemon Xochi.'' Ahmad explained, making Sven's eyes to almost bulge out of his sockets.

''You mean the same Xochi from the legend ? Are you positive ?'' The teen asked, wanting to be sure that he had understood well his champion.

''That is still to be determined, of course. However, should that be the case, then the natives are sure to take it as a sign and initiate that cataclysm...'' Ahmad grimly foretold, looking to the sky and almost regretting that this peaceful region would become rather agitated if what he though that was happening actually did.

''Yeah...'' Sven mused, finishing quietly his last drop of Oran berry lemonade.

Ahmad stood up and walked toward Sven. "You should be vigilent, my friend. Keep an eye on thay Snow Nightshade girl. The native will come for her in time. Make sure she can defend herself. If the native confirm and get her, it's all over. Be ready to do what it takes to keep our region safe." He continued before he walked away, his form dissapearing in the twilight.

The older teen sighed, looking toward the dusk sky and sighing, his face grave.

"This region is about to be plunged into the darkness... It falls to me to protect what might very well be its brightest light..." He muttered as he walked toward the Pokemon Center. The night would be long, restless and dreadful, he could feel it.

******At Jade city's Park*******

Ricardo was currently tending to his pokemon's wounds and bruises, as he had a very sour taste in his mouth from the battle with that white haired beauty called Snow. He couldn't help but feeling guilty of his actions, but didn't act much on it. He had a feeling that this girl had more that meets the eye. He would confirm his feelings during the Upcoming pokemon contest however.

''Snow Nightshade, pretty lady, silver eyes, seemingly atune with nature...I wonder what this all means...?''

****** The following day ********

The trio woke up at little later than the would normally, the events of the previous day having drained them quite a bit. Snow was pleasently surprised to wake up to a soft lick on the tip of her noise. Her golden furred furball was staring at her with a loving expression in her face. It showed that she had longed to hear her trainer again. Snow choked up upon seeing her beloved starter Pokemon being well enough to hop on her bed. The white haired maiden felt hot tears of relief stain her cheeks. Snow couldn't speak, she gently pushed her covers away and extended her arms toward her starter. Vixen shoved herself into her trainer's arms, shedding a few tears herself...

"Vixen...oh my dear...i thought..i thoug..." Snow whispered, her voice cut by emotion as she stroked the fire fox's fur. Vulpix rubbed her warm snout against Snow's nose, hoping to soothe her trainer.

"They would never stop me...but i'll admit i was...so..scared!" Vulpix tried to play it cool...but ultimately failed as she buried her nose in Snow's chest, taking in a good whiff of her scent, soothing her down. Still, the fire type cried softly, all her tension and fear washing away in Snow's embrace. This bittersweet scene lasted a few minutes, with Snow vowing to never let that happen again and Vixen asking her just to stay by her sife when it will. Soon enough, the binomen dried their tears, allowing the joy of being reunited at last to be complete. This did made Snow ponder one thing however...

''How did you even make it here dear...i thought you were in an ER room designed for Pokemon.'' She inquired, enjoying the feeling of Vixen's fur between her fingers...

Vixen growled softly. ''They took care of me well and I recovered quickly due to the chansey lady's healing egg. However, a good friend of yours thought that you'd feel better if I was closeby...so he went to fetch me while you were sleeping...'' explained the fire type as she pointed a corner with her snout. Snow followed her gaze and melted upon seeing Andre sleeping peacefully, his head cocked to the side, his Aguade in his arms. leaning on the wall. ''He has been watching over you since the early hours of the morning. I might start to approve him as he is proving himself useful and caring...'' She growled hautily, but her gentle eyes showed that she more than appreciated his actions.

Snow felt such warmth erupt in her chest that she thought that she was going to become the sun herself. ''I don't deserve someone so caring...''She whispered, going over Andre and ruffling his hair tenderly. Many things were going through her young maiden head, from simply hugging him to showering him with affection. She felt far too shy however to enact the wilder parts of her fantasies. The sleeping Andre groaned softly as Snow kept playing in his hair before hugging him tightly. The action startled Andre awake...

Andre was suddenly pulled out of the dream world by an incredible warmth. A soothing voice was signing... the words, he couldn't make what they meant, but the voice that sang them sounded divine. His starter Pokemon Aguade had been woken up in the meantime and had hopped off Andre's lap to stretch his legs a bit. Seeing Snow hug Andre bought a smile on his face. ''The white haired lady has imprinted on Andre quite a bit...it's rather heartwarming...'' He thought as the pair of teen indulged on their embrace.

The raven haired teen returned the hug, prompting Snow to stop signing. She vividly blushed..that was a tune her mother used to sing to her when she was waking up...she always believed that it had some magical properties...but she didn't care much right now.

Andre chuckled when he realized that Snow was the one responsible for his awakening...''Well well snow-white, i see that you have rested well...'' he commented as he ran his fingers in her hair, a move she definitely liked. ''Yeah, I feel much better than yesterday. Thanks for the small surprise Andre...I was really worried you know...'' She thanked as she let go of the raven haired trainer. Andre smiled.. ''It was nothing Iztaca, I felt like you'd like it if your starter was the one who greeted you, given how worried you were...'' Andre explained as he looked away from a beaming Snow. The latter just smiled sweetly and bumped into him playfully. ''What's wrong? Can't look at me in the eye?'' She asked as she looked at him with a foxy smile on her face. Andre sighed , shaking his head in disbelief at how energetic she seemed. ''I'll avoid being dazzled by your cuteness this early in the afternoon, thanks...'' He said happily before he left the room, his starter in tow. Snow giggled and blushed. It was as if he didn't see how much she liked his compliments. This made it all interesting however. ''Wait for me, sleepyhead!'' She shouted as she chased after him, heading for the Pokemon Center's canteen.

During the day, Andre and Snow lightly practiced for her upcoming Pokemon Contest. Foliat, Alpint and Vulpix learned a few new moves to help them during the event. Andre soon had nothing left to show Snow and just enjoyed laying back on a tree bark, his pokemon still training with Snow's , since his back still kind of hurt from the impact the day prior. Helping the white haired maiden was fun, but he still needed to figure out how to tackle his own goal. Soon enough, Sven finally joined them. Both he and Andre had a chat about everything and nothing.

''Where were you all day yesterday?'' Andre asked, happily sipping on the enigma berry drink the older teen gave him.

Sven shrugged. ''After the supplies, I got to see an old friend of mine. He's doing well...'' Sven replied, purposely leaving some elements out of his answer in a believable way.

''Makes sense, I mean, this is your home region after all...'' Andre reasoned, his eyes focused back on Snow's practice.

Sven saw it and smirked. ; ''Well you little growmeo, what is that solemn look of longing I see?'' he teased..

Andre reddened and looked at Sven in confusion. ''Growmeo?'' He asked inquisitively.

Sven smirked. ''It's a critter grass type from the region that can't for the life of them speak to their female counterpart, Tuliep...Kind of like you right now...'' He teased, chuckling happily at Andre's feverish attempt at removing his blush from his face.

Andre shook his head, groaning at Sven's joke for what could be the 100th time already. ''It's not like that... I am more like, very impressed by her to be honest..'' Andre admitted, leading to Sven to take place next to him, encouraging him to continue. ''Go on, you seem like you have a small piece to say...'' The older teen said, interested as he was to know what the Lentimas Native had on his mind.

''Well, I find it amazing that she has so much drive. Yesterday, she actually told me that she wanted to quit and go home...for some reason, I felt like this was the one thing that couldn't happen. Somehow , I managed to talk no justu her, for lack of a better term, out of it...but she was really hurt and distraught. The fact that she's practicing with so much enthousiasm so early after what happened...really does warms my heart.'' Andre explained as he witnessed Snow slip and fall as she was giving a command, getting a laught at her expense from all Pokemon present.

Sven nodded, as it was a fair assessment. ''A fair assesment indeed friend, but you sure that it's all you got for little ol' me? I have seen your dust... Surely it isn't all...'' Sven egged, eager for details.

Andre turned to him and said...''Okay, but don't tell anyone... She probably the most adorable girl I have ever met in those 15 years of my existence...I feel different around her..and I don't mean that her eyes seems to apparently turn me into zombie of sorts...they are beautiful, deep and mesmerizing...yes, i believe that this is the term to employ here. '' Andre reluctantly admitted. Sven nodded, deciding against teasing when the boy had opened up a little. He interiorly frowned, as he knew what this could emply later on. He kept his mouth shut for the time being however. ''Well, as long as you can be here for her, she has nothing to worry about. I'll hold my tongue, dont worry. Nobody will know about your little crush...'' He murmured to Andre, who jumped. The teen realized what he had done and left the spot with a furious blush on his face. Sven laughed merrily. This was definitely going to be an interesting Journey. For the better or for the worst.

The day went by and finished. Andre and his Pokemon went to rest and so did Sven's. Snow had called home a little before supper, but her mother hadn't been able to reply. Surely the matriach was away. Snow still had left an heartfelt message explaining what had happened while deciding against talking about her fight with the Somberado trainer and her clash with the native as to not worry her mother. The message done, she went back out to a relatively secluded part the field with Vulpix. She closed her eyes, thanking everything and every God she knew of for allowing her to do this journey and to give her strenght for the upcoming contest and worked on some new more things with her starter. In the middle of her practicing, she felt grateful, thankful and content. That feeling soon became overwhelming and Snow's body started moving. For a few minutes, nothing else existed. Her own insecurities? Gone. Her exhaustion of the day? Vanished. Even her friends, her mother and everything else dissapeared. For Snow, there was just her overwhelming thankfulness and the way her body was expressing it. When she finished and opened her eyes, all she could see was a vague, etheral figure that immediately vanished when she made a single step toward it in wonder. Something had happened in there. Snow knew it. For now however, she was tired and there was a big day coming in tomorrow.

Before heading in the center to finally sleep, Snow looked one last time in the direction of the field, smiling warmly. ''I know what I will focus our Performance on tomorrow...''

To be continued...

StevenZX12 : Well that is a chapter done finally...A lot of content this time. We encountered Ahmad the champion, and saw that Snow and Andre slowly but surely moving towars each other hahaha. #Mesmerizedshipping right xD

2020 Update: Well this chapter was a doozy to write. Would love to hear about what y'all think of it however. Review or PM is fine. I'll keep writing tho. Take care y'all, hope you guys are excited for the crown Tundra.
Stay safe