Blast From Dad's Past

by WyldClaw

Becoming Parents animeverse sequel. Major AAML ( AshxMisty). Derek (OC)'s parents are hiding something from him. One night Ash & Pikachu's mate Storm (oc) are kidnapped and Misty' can't recall what happened. there's a ransom note. Can Derek & Aki (pikachu's pup-OC) save them? read on to find out. . Nov 2022- Added Aki's major loss and Sami's nodus side stories. enjoy!

13. Side Story: Sami's Nodus

Sami's Nodus by WyldClaw

Plot: long animeverse oneshot. How did Sami Oak fall for Derek? How did Jaden, Ash, Storm, Aki Derek and her escape Hunter J? A nodus is defined as "a complicated problem or situation", which makes it a fitting title for this Blast from Dads Past side fic. Thoughts are italics, vision is in {} and Pokéspeech is in (). I own nada but my OCs and Storm's disorder. I live for reviews. Animeverse one shot.

XXX

What's love? The dictionary defines it as 'a demotion of a strong affection and personal attachment between two people'. It seems fairly basic but in reality love is a lot more complicated than that simple sentence . Ask any person how he or she fell in love and it varies. Sometimes it's instant - like an Attract attack. Other times it's from years of working together- like my own parents'. It' could be like a willow tree - developing over time until it's staring you right in the face and you can't deny it.

I- Samantha 'Sami' Kyralie Oak, daughter of Kanto Pokemon Professor Gary Oak- fall into that last category . i've fallen pretty hard for my best friend Derek- the oldest kid of Pallet City's own Ash and Misty Waterflower-Ketchum. It's a bit ironic when I stop to think about seeing as how our dads were major rivals when they were young.

I guess it all began when the two of us first met. Derek's dad- my godfather-brought him over to the lab one day when my twin brother Ryan and I were around eighteen months old.

X flashback starts X flashback starts X flashback starts X flashback starts X flashback starts x

One day Dad came into the den where Ryan and I were playing on the carpet, our countless toys and stuffed Pokemon plushies strewn about. Ryan-older than me by a minute-wore a blue Tye-dyed tee onesie t with the words 'thing 1' and was building a tower- like structure with wooden blocks . I wore a similar onesie except it was pink tie dyed and said ' thing 2' on it. I handed him the blocks as he pointed at them. "We bwock."

I gave him the requested block. " 'kay."

"Boo bwock."

I handed him the requested block. He put it on the teetering tower and it collapsed and we both giggled. We looked up and saw Dad in his usual lab outfit- a long white lab coat, jeans and a dark brown tee shirt.

"Hi Dada." we both said and smiled.

He smiled warmly at us . "hi princess, hey sport. "

Ash was with him in his Battle park attire and I saw a small face with green eyes peeking behind his jeans. Storm was on his shoulders while her mate was on his typical spot on his trainer's hair. "Towa fell-deed." Ryan pointed out.

"I can see that. "My godfather chuckled. "But you'll rebuild it."

(And it will be even better) Pikachu added

I saw the small figure behind his jeans. "Who daf?" I asked.

"I want to introduce you to someone new to play with. Sami, Ryan this is my son. Come on Derek… there's nothing to be scared of. Sami and Ryan are really nice. " Ash motioned to the boy hiding behind his legs to come out."Even if their dad has a big ego." He added under his breath.

Dad frowned as he heard this. " I had a big ego Ketchum? If I recall you were the one with the big head when we were young ."

" I don't recall it that way Gary. You were the one who had the ego problems and beat me when it came to getting gym badges ." He puffed up his chest importantly . "And it's Waterflower-Ketchum. You should know that by now. -You were there at the wedding. " .

"Oh for Arceus' sake .." My father rolled his eyes- like he'd heard this a hundred times already and massaged his temple. " Remind me yet again why I agreed to make you my daughter's godfather ,"

"Because I'm lots of fun ." Ash then turned to his son. "There's nothing to be nervous about. Go on and say hello."

There was a minute's pause and a small voice said "...'o-okays. " The boy slowly came from behind his father's legs. He appeared to be slightly older than ryan and i - maybe half a year older-and -a little taller than us. He looked like his dad apart from his brilliant green eyes and wore a simple grey tee shirt with a Pokeball on it and blue shorts. His facial expression looked like his father's. His green eyes took in Ryan and I. " um h-hi."

I suddenly felt a tingle as I gazed into into those bright green eyes and felt shy. "h-hewo…" I nudged my brother-he was more outgoing than me.

"Hi!" Ryan said as he got up off the floor and want over to Derek. He often went up to people visiting the la buy b and said 'hi' -in fact that might have been his first word.

"Tell them your name and ask them theirs." Ash told him

"D-d-derwick. Wh-whos you?"

"Hi! Wyan." Ryan pointed a chubby finger at himself then at me. "sis Sam."

"Tin siss." I pointed out.

"Wish I hada siter." he said. I saw a flicker of longing pass over his father's face.

"Bee siss." Ryan said.

" Ony sis." I replied.

I toddled up to the new boy. If he's Ash's son he can't be that bad ."pway wif toys?"

"Toys!" Derek repeated gleefully as he noticed the toys, in particular the plush Pokedolls of the Kanto Pokémon and his eyes sparkled. He went over and pointed at the Charizard plushy. " Char-Char! " he looked estatic that he recognized the Pokémon.

"That's right champ. It's a Charizard."

He looked at the plushie and then at his father. " Char-char… but No sunset."

"Su-wett? " I asked.

"Who?" Ryan questioned.

(A kind Shiny Charizard Ash rescued from a mean trainer a few years ago.) Storm said.

"Sy-nee?" We both asked.

"close kids. it's shiny. It means they have different colors that a regular Pokemon so that they are very special and very rare," Dad explained.

"Dada has Si-ny No-towl." Derek said,

" I think you mean Noctowl. She's a Shiny all right. She just loves to show off her golden feathers. "

" Seeded her. " Ryan said.

"toos." I added, recalling a bright flying type I'd seen at the lab.

Dad smiled, "You both have. She's pretty hard to miss and a Bit of a show-off . I wonder who she picked that up from." He gave my godfather a look.

"hey.. that's all her own doing . I had nothing to do with that, And she's not that much of a show off Gary."

"Says you. " Dad muttered.

" Sunset's Shiny too, Her full name is Majestic Sunset Darkwings." Ash said,

"Meh-es- te Su-wett daw-igs " I tried sounding it out.

"Close Sami."

"wong ." Ryan stated.

"It is. That's why we call her Sunset. She came with the name. Before she was a mean Trainer's, she was actually a Contest winner so that's where her name comes from." He explained,

"' Nuh tarty?" Ryan asked.

(Nope.) Pikachu shook his head. (That would be me.) He puffed out his chest importantly. ( I admit I was pretty stubborn and didn't care for him at first.)

His trainer scratched him under the chin. "You sure were , pal.. but that quickly changed."

"bes fends wid Dada." Derek said proudly.

(Yup.) The Electric Type smiled.

"When gets Sue-wsett?" Ryan asked.

(A few years ago) Storm replied.

"Dada wot pokeys –needos, goo-wem, Basty, " I said pointing to the Blastoise plushie.

"That's right princess. He was my starter. Pokemon Someone was a bit late." He smirked at Ash.

"Stuff it Gary . I smashed my alarm clock- that's why I was late. "

(Good thing you did.) Storm looked up at her mate lovingly. The mouse blushed.

I went over to the arcanine plush Pokedoll and picked it up. " an' Ark-Ark-'

"Arcanine, sweetie." Dad ended. "But you can call her Arky If the name is too hard to say. Would you three like to pet her while Derek's daddy and I talk?"

" Yay!" Ryan and I cried with glee. We loved all of Dad's Pokémon.

" Sc-scarwy Pokey? " Derek was uncertain.

I shook my head. "fweny." Ryan said.

Dad nodded. "That right sport. She's a very sweet Pokémon. You can pet her and Umbreon too."

"Um-bee-on?"

"Umbreon. Like the one in your book." Ash told Derek.

"Um-bee yon dawk." Derek stated.

" He is a Dark type but that doesn't mean he's a bad Pokemon, " Dad nodded. "but he won't hurt you. He's very nice and loves to play Would you like that?"

"Yeah! " the three of us cried in unison.

Xflashback endsX flashback endsX flashback endsX flashback endsX flashback endsX

From then on the two of us were nearly inseparable. We played together when Derek's dad would bring him over to the lab and we bonded quickly. We were always together is school. At the time he was an only child and i had Ryan. We were kids of Pallet City's most famous citizens who wanted to step out of our parents' shadows and shared similar dreams for the future. We were so close in age- only about seven or eight months apart we joked that we were related. In a strange way we were since his dad was my godfather. We did lots of things together.

In fact he helped me get over my fear of flying on a Pokémon when I was about four and a half years old.

X flashback starts X flashback starts X flashback starts X flashback starts X flashback starts

I gazed up at the enormous charcoal-gray skinned Charizard near the beautiful Dragonair and gulped. It was a warm summer day and my godfather and Dad agreed that it was time to get over my fear of flying on a Pokémon . When I was a baby I had been spooked when Mom and I were on a Swellow and fell a few feet before one of her bb Pokémon saved me. . Dad was taking Ryan and me to Seafoam Island for a conference soon and we would be flying there in a balloon pulled by a Pokémon.

"I dunno if this is weally a good idea Derwick." I said.

"I understand your fear Sami," my godfather told me. He was stroking the head of the Dragonair. "Putting your life in the hands of Pokémon in the air is a very scary idea when it's your first time-"

"But it's really cool." Derek interjected. His handsome light green eyes sparkled- there was something about him that attracted me to him even then. He wore a white tee shirt and overalls. His five-year-old face was beaming with excitement. "It like you're in an another world. You can go through clouds an' fog an' feel raindrops an' dew . Please Sami?"

"Wh-what I fall off? The winds are weally stwong n' the air an' I'm little " I voiced my fears.

"You won't. I pwomise " Derek squeezed my hand. I looked over at him and nearly found myself lost in those gorgeous green eyes. ' 'Rora an' Sunset won't let you. Neither will I."

The charcoal Charizard- Sunset-shook her head. (I won't allow you to fall little one. I'd never hurt a human unless they truly deserved it... Like him) She clenched her claws into fists for a heartbeat as she muttered the last two words under her breath. Those words referred to her abusive ex trainer. He nearly killed her before the Waterflower-Ketchums saved her. Mom told me there was an ugly battle when he came looking for her. It took a long time to settle it in the courts. But it was solved and she was free to go but she chose to stay with them. She was a typically sweet calm Pokémon. However cross her or harm her trainers-like her ex trainer nearly did when he kidnapped Derek's mom right before her wedding- and she was the total opposite of friendly.

(If you do fall Ash and I will be there to get you. We'll be right near you.) the Dragonair-Aurora- added. She winked at me and I managed a smile. She was a very beautiful motherly serpentine Pokémon with gorgeous sky blue scales. Her cheery peaceful outlook could brighten up anyone and she had a motherly kind personality . (You've flown on Razor and Terra so this shouldn't much of a difference.)

"Only tiny hovers. She's still weally little." I admitted. Terra was Mom's young Aerodactyl. She was the daughter of Razor- a male Aerodactyl Mom had revived and had been running amuck on her little island when she first met Dad. However Terra was still learning how to fly.

(Just think of it as riding her except higher) Sunset suggested.

"Well... okay I'll twy ". I agreed

With Ash's help both Derek and I got settled on a little saddle on Sunset's back while he got on Aurora's. Her back felt pleasantly warm. "You'll wanna hold tight to me cause this is your first time. Just relax You don't want to be scared 'round Chariards when you're riding them. They have strong sense 'a smell an' can sense your fear an' agee-agee-" he tired to remember the word.

(Agitation, Derek . Anxiety ) Sunset finished for him and he nodded.

"yeah, that's the word i was looking for. Thanks Sunset. just stay calm an' relaxed. 'Zards can tell if you're nerbous or not an' that can make the flying go bad. Mommy told me Daddy was really nerbous an' scared when he first wode his old charizard in Johto. She said that Both Daddy an' the Pokemon looked very silly in the air ."

We giggled while Ash groaned from his place on Aurora. "Did Mommy have to tell you that?"

"I'm sawy daddy." he looked at his father with sad-Growlithe puppy eyes for a few seconds.

His gaze melted and he smiled at his son. "You know I can't stay mad at you with that face."

"I know." he beamed as his face went back to normall. . I felt myself relaxing as he smiled back.

(Everyone ready?) Aurora asked and we nodded.

"You might wanna close your eyes for the takeoff," Derek whispered. I squeezed my eyes shut as I held on to him tightly and. I heard Sunset flap her wings lightly and then I felt the rush of air.

"You can open them Sami." Ash told me a few minutes. I did and saw that we weren't even that high up – only about fifty feet up.

Wow! This is pretty awesome! I was awed by how beautiful it was up here. The air was clean and a light breeze ruffled my hair. "This... is wonderful" I remarked and i fe my fear vanish.

"Told you." Derek grinned. I blushed.

"Ash?" I asked.

"Yeah?"

"Can- can we go even higher? Pease?"

a smirk appeared on his face- apparently some of his adventurous personality traits were starting to rub off on me,. "Well.." he pretended to consider it. "I suppose it wont hurt if wego even higher. "'

X flashback ends X flashback ends X flashback ends X flashback X flashback ends x

A few years later we went from being a duo to being a trio when a new family moved in nearby.

X flashback begins X flashback begins X flashback begins X flashback begins X flashback begins x

"Hey Sam?" Derek asked me one warm June Saturday when he was nearly eight years old . We were sitting at a bench at the park on having strawberry ice cream cones. He looked more and more like his dad each year. His hair-black as a Murkrow's feather and unkempt looking-unless he wore a hat- was flopping all over the place. He wore a white short-sleeved tee shirt - dotted with splotches of sweat and ice cream and dark checkered Capris. Misty- his mom and a part time kindergarten teacher at the Trainer's School where we both went- was pushing his gurgling seven-month-old sister DJ in her stroller a few feet away.

"Hmm?" I looked at him. I wore a light blue short-sleeved tee shirt that had a picture of the Johto and Kanto eevee evolutions on it and tan shorts splotched with ice cream dots.

"Do you ever think about what path you're gonna do on your journey?"

"I haven't given it much thought. It's still a few years away. What about you?"

He sighed. "I wanna make a name for myself." He gazed down at his slowly melting drippy ice cream. "All people see when they look at me is Dad cause I look so much like him. I wanna step outside his shadow." He looked back at me. "Y-you're so lucky-no one compares you to your parents."

"Not 'till they find out I'm named after Great-Gramps. " I pointed out before licking my cone. "Mom says that when the time comes I should choose my own path."

"Lucky. Everyone expects me to be Dad. Bryce, and Tami and the rest of the school bullies say I'm gonna be just like him an' get into lots of trouble."

"That's not a bad thing. Sometimes that's the only way you learn things is by getting in trouble." I pointed out and then added. "Tami is jealous cause you know lots more about hoenn and Unovan Pokèmon." That spoiled rich brat thinks money can buy her everything. I hated Her - she thought she was much better than everyone. She seemed to have a personal grudge against me and loved to see me in trouble. "She thinks that as the mayor's kid she gets to boss everyone around."

He looked down so after a few minutes of licking our ice cream cones I changed the subject. "Did you hear about the new family in town?"

"Yeah," He nodded. "Mom and dad said something about them moving into the Morrison's old house soon . Said they were starting up a restaurant. "

Cool, a new neighbor."Really?"

He nodded. " Dad knew them from when they went on their own journeys. I know they met lots of people so that's not saying something. I overheard mom saying that they wanted a fresh start."

"A fresh start? From what?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. They said that they have two kids- an older girl and their son's 'bout our age maybe a bit younger. He's apparently really shy, "his green eyes sparkled and he smiled." He's not gonna be shy round us."

I felt a warm feeling go through my body. "No he won't."

"Want to go see if when they move in, Mom an' Dad can help us make Grams' famous triple berry pie to bring over"

"Sure."

X flashback ends X flashback ends X flashback ends X

Sure enough Derek and I became fast friends with Jaden. He was shy and a bit of a loner but that changed once you got to know him. He had an older sister named Jordan who was really into being a Contest Coordinator. Having been around snake Pokémon he was really talented at Serpenttongue-the dialect of snake Pokémon. To Derek after he got over the shock of it, it didn't matter that jaden's parents had chased his dad around when he was a young trainer but Dad was a bit wary at first. We became almost inseparable- at school we were the top trainers.

We really bonded when Derek saved Flamie from her cruel trainer about a year ago. It was then that i noticed something changed me when it came to him. I noticed how his eyes sparkled like leaf stones and how his face seemed to be shine bright even when it was raining. How he put his family and Pokémon first. How gorgeous and caring he was. I admit i could see why the girls in school were in love with him- i found myself quite jealous of them. i even felt myself falling for him while i was preforming In the school's talent show.

There was a few times I even got into fights mainly with Tami but sometimes with her cohorts. Love makes you do stupid things and I was no exception. I really noticed my growing feelings at the Waterflower-Ketchum's annual holiday party when I saw all these girls flock around him and I felt jealous. I tried to get him under the mistletoe but I failed. I got really angry when Tami succeeded where I failed. She even smirked at me as if to say ' Too bad so sad, Oak.' I think Ryan sensed my anger or something and steered me away.

There was no way I'd tell my brother about my newfound feelings. Ryan could sense what i was feeling- what with him being my twin. I don't know if he suspected anything or if he chose to keep his mouth shut for my sake. Carrying the secret of my growing crush became a burden on me. I had a rough time focusing on my tasks at the lab and at school. I was starting to see Derek's eyes and caring face in my dreams. Ryan and my parents seemed to think that i was in a lovesick daze. They couldn't have been more right.

.

After Derek told me about the note i got a sick feeling in my stomach and had trouble sleeping that night. Somehow in the middle of waking up a lot I realized... I liked Derek ... I really liked him. It was like there was a huge knot in my stomach. I knew i had to tell someone about my discovered feelings but i couldn't think of whom. Ryan would blab and mom and dad were busy enough. Then it hit me: Jaden! I sent him a pokegear message if i could talk to him under the shade of a tree before we met Derek. I told Remy, my blue gray Rattata, to keep a lookout.

X flashback starts X flashback starts X flashback starts X

"Jade, there's something i need to get off my chest." i looked into his hazel eyes as Remy scurried about at my feet trying to identify who had been in the dewy grass. "I like someone. As in I like, like them."

From what i could see in the dim but increasing morning light he looked shocked. "M-Me? No offense Sam, but you're like a sister to me. It would be weird d-dating you, like Jordan dating Ryan."

My flirtatious twin dating Jordan? I shuddered at the thought. Remy looked up from sniffing the ground at my feet with his sensitive nose at us for a minute. (Yuck. Ryan dating? That's scary.)

"I agree Remy . Don't make me puke this early in the morning. I don't mean you. I mean someone. . Else. "

"Who-" His mouth formed a perfect O shape as I jerked my head toward Derek's house and it sunk in. "You mean." he mouthed as he motioned to the house. My nod confirmed it. "I knew it!"

That was really dumb. "Shush. You want to blurt it all the way to Mount Moon?" I whispered.

He lowered his voice. "You mean he doesn't know?"

I shook my head. "No. I only realized it last night. I've been getting these strange but good feelings about him how my stomach feels like there is a flock of Butterfrees in it every time he looks at me. His face is in my dreams and I felt like I just want to be near him. I needed to tell someone and Ryan ... he wouldn't understand. Then last night i had this realization ... I have a bad feeling he's going to do something ... brave to save his dad. Brave but stupid."

"Yeeeeah. Sounds like he's inherited one of Mr. K's famous personality traits. Mom, Dad and Meowth said that they couldn't believe what he would put himself through to save someone or do the right thing. "

"Yeah... speaking of Meowth. How did you manage to get past him anyways?" I wondered changing the topic.

"They were so busy last night getting set up for this morning's Kanto Grand Festival brunch they didn't wake up when I left. Inkay nearly caught me when I was getting the granola bars and smoothies but I bribed him off with some food."

"You think that worked?" I had doubts that the native Kalos Dark type wouldn't spill the beans.

He shrugged his shoulders. "He may be loyal to Dad but he likes me cause I let him have leftover food scraps . He won't blab. I just hope they don't blow a fuse when they see my note. " I shuddered recalling stories my godfather told about the ex-Rocket members' tempers, especially Jaden's mother. "Was that why you had me come early?"

I nodded and my voice lowered into a whisper. "Look, Jade, you're my other best friend in the whole town. I need you to promise me something. " I took a deep breath. "Whatever Derek has planned regarding that .. note... you have to go with him. You have to do your best keep him safe ... for me "

There was a moment of silence. "You really care for him don't you?" I simply nodded again . "I can see it in your eyes and I've kinda picked up on it." A smile appeared on his face as he held his right hand up as if in a vow. "I -Jameson Kojiro Matthias Smith swear to Arceus I'll do my best to keep him safe Not just for your sake but his parents." He lowered the hand.

"Yeah. " i returned the grin. "Ash and Mrs. k would kill you."

" And then my parents would dig me up so they could kill me as well. "

Remy's nose twitched. (He's coming! He's coming! )

X flashback ends X flashback ends X flashback ends X flashback ends X flashback ends X flashback ends X

Present time

Throughout the last few hours I've felt like I've been separated from my body and watching someone else's life. Like another girl got the bucket vitamin-infused poke-food from the Harrison girls, and began giving them out. Like some other girl's father's Nidoking nearly speared her just because she wasn't thinking straight which was the truth I was too busy worrying about Derek and Jaden. What are he and Jaden up against? Did they find the kidnapper? Did they find Storm and Ash? Are they safe? Where are they?

Ryan noticed I was off sorts. "What's up Sam? You look like you're in a daze of some sort. " He called over from a small hill where he and Jenni Harrison were testing the food out on a herd of Ponyta.

"Just ... tired. I didn't sleep well cause of ... dreams " I lied.

"Really?" he raised his eyebrows as if saying he didn't believe me. Then again he was my twin. "You haven't been eating much lately. Are you sure it's just-"

" That's all it was. Nothing more " I replied and gave him my best shut-up-and don't-pry-any-further-you-dolt now look, which worked.

Olive skinned tall Jenni looked over at me with blue eyes, her tan spiky hair getting ruffled by the wind. "You do look out of sorts Sami . Yoou look pale. Maybe I should call Dad and ask-" the thirteen-year-old got her phone out of her green Capri pocket, looked at it then put it back as she shook her head. "Bad idea, " she said smoothing out her pale colored Peter City Pokeclinic tee shirt, " I just remembered he's at the Big Breeder Conference over in Celadon City today. I wouldn't be able to reach him until later tonight anyways."

That' would have been bad - Derek's own godfather prying into my life and finding out i like his godson "You know what Jenni? I think I just read too late into the night... Again." I fibbed- the believable lie slipping out of my mouth.

She nodded, "It happens a lot to Topaz. Dad has to remind her to make sure she closes the book before crashing so she doesn't fall asleep literally in the book." She referred to her adopted little sister.

Ryan looked over at me. " Hey Sam I almost forgot to tell you -Apollo was looking for you. "

I rolled my eyes. "joy. What's that pesky Natu want from me? "

He shrugged his shoulders. "No clue- Ask him. He's flying around the grounds somewhere. "

"Thanks, that narrows it down. " I said.

Just what I need: that nosy Natu poking his beak into my mind and my thoughts. I walked about two hundred fifty feetvaway and sat down on an old tree stump on the vast laboratory grounds, a pail of food and a clipboard at my feet. I sighed as a pale Natu wearing a red identification ring around his foot hopped over to me a few minutes later. "Great. Think of the mini-devil and he will come," I muttered under my breath.

(I heard that) the bird squawked.

"Oh stuff it. "

Apollo was an abnormal Natu. A trainer dumped him so my parents took him in and he kind of adopted Ryan and I. He had a very rare issue that occurred in Psychic Types -the visions he had weren't always precise or predictable - which was why the trainer abandoned him. He had been bugging me about something but i had been so worried about my friends that i had put up a mental block- like a mental stone wall. That' s what I did if I didn't want him to bug me. I bit my lip and twirled a lock of my hair, the note figuratively burning a hole in my pocket. They should have been back by now unless...

(Hello! Earth to Sami! Wake up! WAKE UP! ) A sharp peck on my head and a yelp in my ear brought me to reality.

I jumped and yelped as if hit by a Pin Missile attack. "Owww! For Arceus;' sake I'm up! " I looked down at the innocent-looking bird that had flown to the ground the moment I jumped up. "Did you have to peck me THAT hard. " I rubbed the spot where he pecked. Blasted bird.

He smirked at my thought. (How else was I supposed to get your attention? Get your dad's Blastoise to Hydro Pump you?)

"No thank you. I don't fancy being soaked to the bone this early."

(I could get Nidoking or Nidoqueen to head-butt you)

"I'd be out for a few hours if they did that. Ry said you were looking for me. What's up?"

He lowered his voice to a whisper. (I- I had a vision... about Derek).

The way he said the last two words made my skin tingle. I felt my heart pound in my chest as I bent down on my knees. I cautiously looked around to make sure no one was nearby or within earshot- Ryan and Jenni had since moved on. I bent down on my knees and faced the bird. " Wh-what kind of vision?" I asked in a low voice.

He looked me in the eyes. (You might want to see it..) He closed his eyes, then reopened them a minute later -as bright blue glowing orbs- as he hovered a few feet into the air. I knew what this meant- he was sharing his vision with me. I grabbed his wings, which were quivering . The moment i did my surroundings disappeared.

.

{Vision begins} {Vision begins} {Vision begins} {Vision begins}

I found myself in a patchy looking battered large gray room with a huge battered battlefield in the middle of it. What in the name of Arceus happened? Where am i?

The room looked really awful. There were huge gaping craters in the floor, splattered with what was clearly blood and fur. There was a huge pile of ruined gray debris, fur, blood and metal underneath what must've once been a balcony. Whatever I was seeing looked a bit staticky and patchy. My heart leapt when i noticed figures on one side of the room i recognized: Jaden, Ash along with Pikachu's small mate Storm and his daughter aki. Aki, Storm and Ash were wounded badly – my godfather's right shoulder looked horrible and he had innumerable cuts and bruises. Storm was also pale and thin and covered in bruises– one paw limply hung by her side. Her daughter Aki was pale, wounded and being restrained by Ash in his good arm. What in Ho-Oh's name happened to them? I shuddered. Jaden was gently but firmly holding Storm- his eyes ablaze with anger. There was also an injured unconscious Growlithe close by that I instantly recognized- Flamie.

I heard snatches of their conversation. (... Let me go Ash. She's toast) Aki begged. (..make her pay.)

He shook his head and shuddered. "No. Trust me. faced her before, though I've never faced... those things. Besides. " He shuddered. " heard her ...wants your mom for her... ability."

(...we going to do?) Storm whispered.

"I - i don't k-know" Jaden spoke, his voice shaky. " ... Trapped ...kill us if we try to escape. ... if we could escape… couldn't leave..."

I followed his gaze to someone in the middle of the battered room. This pale looking person was being tightly restrained by what could only be described as a thick Night Shade whip. Pools of red grew at their side and i saw acid burns on their tee shirt which had tons of sharp claw mark rips . Multiple scratches and wounds-including electrical burn marks covered the figure . I saw enormous growing purple marks covering their arms as they screamed in pain. I knew right away the person was poisoned. My heart skipped a few beats when the figure's head lift up-it was bloody, full of injuries- including what looked a sharp icicle cut on his cheek- and almost white. I recognized those beautiful green eyes and wild mass of black hair easily as identifying one of Kanto's starters Pokémon. Derek..Oh no i .

"Please let m- me go/ " Derek whimpered to someone in the shadows. He seemed to be in great pain as he spoke. ". Give me the... antidote ... let us go."

...why would i do that boy? ... you suffer in your last minutes," an icy cold voice cackled. I saw an older woman, dressed in a dark black leather suit step out of the shadows. Her icicle blue eyes had no trace of warmth in them. Her silver and gray hair had burnt patches and she cradled one singed arm against her chest. From where the woman had come from there was an outline of something in the shadows. It was something big i couldn't see save for a sharp looking Ariados horn, which was where the dark pulsing Night Shade whip was coming from -and blood red mandibles. "... caused me too much trouble, brat. ...the rest of you "-she gazed at my godfather, Jaden, and Storm in turn and smiled evilly. "...i have plans for you... even that worthless tailless shrimp."

Aki bristled her fur at the insult. "...to freaking Hell Hunter J," Ash glared at her.

"Temper, temper. " the woman who must be Hunter J -waved a finger at him " .. anyone ever teach you manners?"

" I have manners. ...I'm through ...the formalities when it comes to you,"

Jaden looked ready to lunge at the stranger . " total ... what I...give to shove a piece of my mind down your throat. ... have no heart you ... demented *ssiya'ah*!" he used the serpenttongue term for a female dog.

Hunter J gritted her teeth and looked from Jaden to my godfather and back for a few minutes – pulling out a gun with her uninjured hand. She pointed the weapon at each of her captives in turn before aiming it at Jaden. I saw his face go white as a cloud. . "...you been taught any respect ... by him... boy? Or your brother?" Jaden stood still not saying a word but I could see his hands shaking. . If she thought him to be related to Derek, he wasn't going to correct her. ".. don't look at all like him at all."

"R-respect is earned you psycho!" he replied. " d-don't have to look like …D-dad to know you're a toto sl."

"Shut the hell up! .. little prisoners and surrender willingly or …else,"

"Shove off l...go ... to hell you... revenge driven bitch! ... find a way out of here – all of us. " Ash's voice was full of utter loathing. I'd never heard him speak like that.

Her eyes gleamed. "What a temper... ought to show you some respect and get you to shut up. As much fun it would be to torture the boys ... ... need either of those annoying pesky brats. All I need is ...her. Oh ...need your other sniveling brats as collateral. " She smirked. " just in case. "

Ash's eyes were burning with fire .at that statement. "Don't you dare touch them…"

She ignored him. " runt will... a good training tool ...mind reading mouse will make me quite wealthy. "

Storm and Aki both shivered. "Get ..hands away... f-from. Th-them. " Derek wheezed.

She pointed the gun at him. " wish to die first kid? Fine with me."

I noticed my godfather's face lost what little color it had left. "No. Not a-." But his words were nearly lost as she fired the gun and he hollered his son's name. I had to shut my eyes and heard a huge BANG, the sound of shouting and weeping.

{Vision ends} {Vision ends} {Vision ends}

I blinked and found myself on the grass, covered in sweat. My hands were trembling. I sat up and faced Apollo whose eyes had gone back to normal. (Scary wasn't it?) He asked in a small whisper.

I nodded, shakily. I looked both ways to make sure no one was watching us. I lowered my voice to almost a whisper myself. "Where are they? Who is that woman? Is that -will that..."

(Really happen? i don't know) Apollo ended. (It felt patchy like it's just a possibility. But i have this strange feeling that if it does happen in some form it may happen soon)

whoever Hunter J was, she must have been who kidnapped Ash and Storm. That growing purple splotch on his arms has to be– I shuddered at the thought- poison.. J wasn't going to let them go until ...I gulped once she's done with Derek. She'll make them be her hostages and come here and then... I shivered again.

( that wasnt the only vision i had) he chirped quietly

"wh-wh-what?" i stammered. "y-you had another one?"

The Natu nodded. ( y-yes. but the second was extremely patchy and weak not to mention super short. I -saw mrs. K and her husband tied up tightly on the floor with a massively strong super tighb Spider Web nets. theyb both must have been wounded badly cause there were a lot on reddened spots on the nets. They looked completely petrified at this shadowy figure in the shadows.. It was coldly laughing but i only got a glimpse of a scarred burnt face and a bright blue bloodshot eye before it ended.)

If either of those visions come to pass we're all dead. I stood up. If what he said was true, there was no time to waste. "Have you seen Terra around?"

Terra was one of the fastest fliers we had. Despite her species' fierce appearance she was normally a peaceable Pokémon . anyone messed with her family or my friends she was the total opposite of peaceful. (I think she was by the Oran berry grove) the Natu looked at me strangely. My plan was apparently written over my face.

"I've got rescue them! But Derek's mom h-"

(Has got to know stat that her husband and son are alive.) Apollo finished my sentence for me. I nodded. (What about your parents?)

"Tarous droppings." I cursed. Mom and dad would flip if I left without a note."I'll leave a note for them. Hopefully they don't kill or ground me. "

(Oh ..they definitely will ground youl.) He muttered. ( even i can foresee that happening.)

"Shush birdbrain. That's not helping… Besides you're going to have to come with me to her house. I have this strange feeling that you're going to have to unlock her memories. "

(Cause she doesn't remember what happened?)

"Y-yeah. Derek told me she didn't remember anything. I wonder if she knew who took Ash and Storm."

(Hmm) he tapped a wing to his beak for a few seconds. (It sounds like a strong psychic type blocked her memories of that night, kind of like selective amnesia.)

"Do you think you can unlock them if-if we show her the note?"

The Natu nodded. (It may but … I'm not that powerful. Sometimes seeing something will trigger lost memories, like in that 'Seeking Nemo' film. You know, that movie about the Feebas trying to find his missing son and he meets up with that ditzy Barboach with the memory problem-)

"And the name on the sewer pipe triggered her memories. " I ended. I shuddered, my mind still on that horrible vision. We have to save them pronto! "I'll be right back."

I made sure no one was watching as I rushed into the house, my heart pounding in my throat. I ran into the kitchen, grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. I sat down at the marble table counter and muttered the words as I wrote. "Mom dad, something. Bad happened to Ash, storm. Jaden, Derek. Had to... go rescue them ... in the overgrown forest. Will be back safely. Took Apollo and terra with me. Sami."

I put down the pen and looked at the note as I put two small sweet pears into the little pouch that was securely fastened around my waist and zipped it up. . Mom and dad are going to skin me alive when they see this. I might want to kiss going on my journey goodbye. If they only knew what I saw ... I wonder if that J person would ended up killing both ash and Derek? Or Jaden? From what I saw she looked like the kind of person who wouldn't give a second thought about that. I hope we're not too late! I don't know how much more he could hold on if he was poisoned and-

(SAMI!) I flinched as Apollo yelled in my head. (Stop daydreaming and start running! If we don't get to Mrs. K then -)

"Keep your tail feathers on. I'm coming! "I opened the door, shut it as he flew onto my shoulder and ran for Derek's house like a Crobat' out of hell praying I'd come out of this alive

…

I flew down the streets as my heart pounded in my throat rapidly and my surroundings blurred together. Luckily I was there so many times I could make my way there without my glasses. I would've slammed right into the door but the door opened and I ran straight into a mostly yellow, humanoid Pokémon. "Oww."

I gazed up at the two large, pointed ears on top of the creature's head, a red star on its forehead, and wide cheeks leading down to a thin snout and the long two mustache-like tufts of fur on each side of the snout. One hand held a silver spoon. It was Sybil's Kadabra. (Hello Miss Sami.)

"For Mew's sake Rune, couldn't you have warned me you were gonna open the door?" I asked the courteous Kadabra as I pushed my taped up glasses back up onto my nose. " I nearly broke my glasses ... yet again."

(I admit I didn't not see you coming here that fast.)

"You have let me in .I need to-"

The Psychic type waved one white-clawed three-fingered hand- the one not holding the spoon. (I know why you are here what must be done.)

"What about DJ and-"

He interrupted me. (They are at Misses Delia's house.)

(He's gonna use his powers to help retrieve Mrs. K's memories cause his powers are stronger than mine) Apollo added.

"Haven't you Psychics heard of manners when it comes to reading minds? Or at least waiting until I finish my sentence?"

(I am well aware of manners involving mind reading. I did not invade Miss Sami. your questions were right on the surface and were quite obvious) Rune explained.

Apollo smirked. (Some questions lie right on the surface of your mind and we don't need to poke around to see them like if you-) I glared at him. Don't you dare blurt out anything about me liking Derek, you featherbrained idiot I thought. He read my thought and shut up.

Rune moved to the side so that we could come inside the house. As soon as we closed the door we saw his trainer Sybil standing in the hallway. Her hazel eyes had bags underneath them. She wore a white shirt with the emblem of the Battle Park- a Pikachu's tail over a Butterfree's wings- on it and tan pants. Her sandy curly hair lay limp. "Hi Sami, Apollo. " she addressed us. Being slightly Psychic and having Rune, there was no need to inform her why we were here. "I can only foresee a bit but it is imperative that we awaken Misty's memories soon. Do you have the note?"

I nodded as I got it out of my back pocket and gave it to her with shaking hands. She gave the note to Rune. "She's in the kitchen. I need to get back to the Battle Park-Pikachu is there. He… requested to be there this morning. "

"I can't say I blame him." I whispered.

(Taran was with her all morning trying to cheer her up) Rune added. (He's asleep on her lap)

(I feel bad for taran. Poor guy. He must be exhausted) Apollo commented

She nodded. "Megan will be taking my place soon. Rune, you know what to do." He bowed and she motioned for us to follow her to the kitchen.

As Sybil entered the medium sized kitchen she called out, "Misty? I have to get back to the Battle Park but Sami has come over for a visit." She left the room. Derek's pretty red-orange haired mother looked up from the table, where I caught a glimpse of her wedding ring, lying flat next to a half filled glass of water. She wore a dark blue tee shirt and a pair of grey sweats and sat in a chair, Taran, Aki's littermate was asleep on the floor next to the chair.

"Oh. Hi Sami. ". Her eyes looked tired as Rune and I came over to her."DJ and Aiden are at their grandmother's house and I haven't seen or Derek today. He might be still sleeping. I wouldn't be surprised since He's so much like. Like…" she trailed off.

Apollo and I didn't know how to start but Rune took the initiative. (Mrs. Waterflower-Ketchum… we believe your husband is alive)

Her eyes widened as she turned to face him, and stood up. "I knew it! I knew he was still alive. But where is he? How do you know? "

Apollo nodded. (I had a ... vision.)

Rune continued (I think I know how to make you remember what happened that night.) he gave the note to me to hold and put his free claw in the air as he did the same with the other claw holding his trusty silver spoon. (Touch my claw)'

She did as his said. Both sets of eyes became blue as the silver spoon glowed white. The claw and the hand were outlined in a strange blue tinge

(Put the note on the table while she's recovering her memories) Apollo said in my mind.

. About ten to fifteen minutes passed in which I put the note on the table and her expression slowly changed from lost to shock to horrify. Rune's silver spoon and their eyes went back to normal as the tinge disappeared. She flopped into her chair as Rune brought his claws down and wiped beads of sweat off of his forehead. " Oh my freaking Pokegods!"

" Wh-what?"

" I... remember what happened that night. All of it."

She began to explain:

Some time that night she and her husband heard noises and Storm's shouting for help from the living room so they got out of their room to check it out. They saw The smaller than average Pikachu-who had been sleeping there being beaten up by an extremely large Ariados while a woman-who matched the one Ash called Hunter J in Apollo's vision- -and a Kadabra watched. When Misty saw the Ariados she couldn't move and her mouth dried up- Her fear of creepy Bug type Pokemon was very well known. She froze in fear as the Bug / Poison type Pokémon grabbed Storm with its front legs and sunk glowing fangs into the yellow's mouse's back draining her energy and blood with Leech Life. however it was sight of the intruder who had my godfather utterly frozen with fear. He went paler than a cloud in the blue sky like he's seen a long dead spirit rise out of the ground and his eyes grew as large as saucer plates. He couldn't speak or move

As the Ariados drained Storm's energy and blood her movements got slower and slower. Misty knew had to save the mouse so she summoned what little courage she had overcoming her fear. She grabbed a pillow and hit the spider with it, which dropped the bruised mouse. It turned its attention to her and lunged. She screamed which broke her husband out of his paralyzed state and he tackled it. Storm tried a Bite attack but the big spider swatted her into the couch. She rebounded off it with a Double Edge attack. It turned into a full battle and for a half a minute they had the advantage but then Kadabra joined in the fight and overpowered them. It was really unfair and unmatched. Eventually the Ariados used String Shot to individually tie the three of them all up.

Misty screamed , "Don't hurt the children" as Hunter J had been about to go up the stairs to Derek and his siblings' rooms . It was a miracle they hadn't come racing down the stairs with all the noise. The intruder-Hunter J- turned around at her words- grinning cruelly. Storm- who used Iron Paw and Cut to free herself from her bindings used a weak-strong for her - Thunderbolt on the woman . But her clothes- seemingly made out of rubber -just absorbed the attack and she waited until Storm was out of electricity. The Kadabra used Disable and Thunder Wave to stop the small mouse in her tracks. J plucked her off the floor, put a heavily chloroformed gag over her mouth and nose and tied some kind of band on her paws . The instant the gag was tied around the mouse's face she conked out. Next Hunter J stuffed her into a small rubber sack, tied it and slung over her back. She had been furious at the stranger at first but now she was downright livid! She tried to ram her but the Psychic type lazily used Ice Beam to freeze her arms and legs together. It put some thing on her arms after it lifted her up into the air with Disable.

". ...She studied me and said that I looked just like one her boss saw from an encounter years and years ago. " She trembled. "Sh-She smiled cruelly. But before she could say another word Ash – who'd somehow managed to get free of his String Shot bonds-rammed her in the gut making her fall, saying to leave me alone, let us go and to get the... fudge-" I knew right away in my gut that my godfather had used a very different word that began with F. - "Out of the house. She got up, laughed and told Ariados to use Body Slam then Spider Web tie him to the floor so h-he couldn't move. Before he could say anything else the bug type covered his mouth with a String Shot gag."

She paused to take a breath. I felt my breakfast flip in my stomach as i recalled what i'd seen in Apollo's patchy vision. Hunter J is truly soulless, malicious, and beyond evil. She then resumed the story. "I tried to scream for help but she slapped me ". She turned one side of her face for a few seconds and I saw a faint outline of a slap mark on her cheek. "Sh-she said she'd deal with me later since annoying as I was she had some unfinished business with the other two she'd been dying to get to. She commanded the Kadabra t-to makes me take a nap and forget what I saw. These yellow hypnotic waves came out of its eyes. I tried to look away but it grabbed my chin with one clawed hand and made me look at its eyes. As soon the waves hit me I felt extremely sleepy and I couldn't fight it. It moved its now glowing hand from my chin to my forehead. Last thing I remember was Ash screaming my name through his gag That's when everything about the sneak attack and dark. Then I saw Sybil…" she ended.

She saw the note. "Huh? What's this?" She picked up the note. As she read it a few times her face became white as an Ice Beam attack. She looked up at me realization dawning on her on what her firstborn was doing." Oh no. Oh no… He didn't. "

I nodded. "He did. He took Aki and Jaden with him. "

She sighed. "I swear, he has too much of his father's doing-the-right-thing personality trait ." It's not a bad thing- that trait saved Flamie's life. "Ash is bad enough with that. We have to go find them. But where did she take them? " She stood up again, eyes blazing.

"I… figured it out. She took them to a place in the Overgrown Forest."

Her eyes went wide "Sami..Did you say ... the Overgrown Forest?" she slumped back into her chair, the blazing fire out of her eyes.

"y-yes. Why? "

She looked horrified. "Oh no. Not there. We almost lost him with Dr. Yung there."

"Huh? Who in the world is Dr. Yung?"

she looked away for a few seconds. " Someone who had a deep loathing grudge against Ash and i. Trust me you really don't want to know". She said. "I can't really describe him asides from calling him a heartless power hungry m-monster. A-Ask your great-grandfather about him."

I would but the terrified pale look on her face makes me think something really awful between Great-Grampa and this Dr. Yung person. what ever it was i dont think i want to make him recall it. But i nodded and said, " I will. why did this Dr. Yung person want revenge on the both of you?"

"W-we stopped his plans. Not just that time but...another time as well." she sighed . " why did it have to be there?"

."But that's where Jaden, Aki and him went this morning, Apollo's vision showed something… horrible possibly happening with that woman that attacked you and derek and Ash." I shuddered. " There was another vision he had too but it was quite patchy and faded like there was only a slim possibility of it occuring . " I turned to the Natu on my shoulder. "T-tell her Apollo."

(i s-saw you and your husband tied up tightly on the floor with a massively strong Spider Web net. you both must have been wounded badly cause there were a lot on reddened spot on the nets. there was the figure in the shadows coldly laughing but i only got a glimpse of a scarred face and a bright blue bloodshot eye before it ended.) The pale Natu explained.

The color drained from her face ." No ..no.. it's not possible ..h-he can't be alive.." she said to herself.

"is th-the person in the other vision the one you just mentioned… this d-dr. Yung? " she nodded. "the one with the eye? . "

(I'm afraid so.) Rune said. I felt a shiver go down my spine.

She can't go now! if she does I'm worried that second vision's going become more of a possibility . I looked up at Apollo who read my thought and nodded. He flew off my shoulder and hovered in the air, (You can't go. Mrs. K. Th-that note is to lure you there. I may not be that good with my powers but even i can see that. We'll go in your place) Apollo pleaded. (Please stay here. please)

The redheaded looked at him then at me as apollo fluttered back to my shoulder. "You're right. Apollo. You have to go. But... that place is big. How-". She stopped as her eyes glowed white for a minute or a minute and a half. .

"Uh, Mrs. K?" I looked over at the Kadabra. "Rune, what's going on?"

(Whatever kept their Aura bond from reconnecting with each other has been diminished for a few seconds . she's locating them with her part of Aura. But it doesn't work for long when the use is heavily injured) ) he explained as her eyes went back to their normal viridian color.

"They're in a big dilapidated gray building that's camouflaged from the outside in the heart of the Overgrown Forest. I didn't get a detailed look just a quick glance- something's still blocking it from getting through but... ". She shivered. "There was a lot, and i do mean a lot of blood and " she gulped. "Ash is pretty injured. Sometimes if someone with Aura powers is is in a lot of pain they can send out tiny blips of it."

My heart pounded in my throat. "Is-is anyone...?"

She shook her head. "No. I don't think so. Just extremely injured" she gulped. "My baby boy. ...Ash… Storm... Aki" We locked eyes for a second. "Sami- You have to save them."

For a few seconds no one spoke. I knew she was right. There was no time to waste and it was up to be the heroine. I nodded. "Use the side door by the kitchen. Save them before ... before whatever you saw in that vision comes true. Bring them all back "she said.

"I promise." I vowed. As I reached the door, I felt Rune's hand tap my shoulder. I turned around and saw Taran, who apparently had woken up during her story, in his free arm.

(I h-heard what happened to Mom and Ash. A-are you gonna get them and Aki back safely too?) He asked worriedly.

"I'm going to do my best," I promised.

(Can you kick that woman's butt badly for hurting mom?) We smiled at his words.

"Don't worry Tar. When I'm done, that woman's butt will be so kicked she'll regret messing with your trainers in the first place." I went out the door, Apollo on my shoulder. The morning breeze felt nice. "Terra! I need you. ". I whistled loudly and did a badly done loud Aerodactyl caw.

Within ten minutes Mom's Rock/flying type landed in front of me. She nuzzled me. (You need to work on that caw- not loud enough)

"Not my fault those caws strain my voice."

She saw the worried look on my face. (What's wrong?)

Apollo mentally and quickly told her what happened. Her eyes got narrower and she clawed the earth with her talons. (Jump on. We'll find them.)

I got on and held on to her neck as Apollo dug his talons into my shoulders and they dug into my skin. "Ow! Not so tight"

(Sorry, Sam)

(Ready?) Terra asked and we nodded.

I swallowed back my worries about my crush. I took a deep breath and pictured myself as the stars of 'Pokémon Rescue Adventures- come on focus. You are as cool as a Swampert, as brave as a Luxray, blazing as a Charizard, strong as a Marowak. " Y-yeah. Come on Ter let's go rescue them."

She took off and the wind roared in my ears as we flew through what was once. We flew above the city-, which whizzed by as we flew onto the Forest. I didn't pay any attention to the amount of time that passed , trying to ignore the growing knot in my stomach. Quite soon we were flying just above the extremely vast Overgrown Forest's canopy. I looked but all I saw was alternating areas of dark green and brown. "T-terra, can you see anything?"

She scanned the treetops (not yet.. it's all this greenery that's getting in the way )

"try descending lower into the tree canopy ."

She nodded and did just that- sending a lot of forest dwelling Pokemon scampering . She had to break a bunch of branches to do that. (stupid thick branches. ) she grumbled.

We flew in silence for a while until she pointed at something shinny in the sunlight about ten feet away with her talon. (There's something over there that looks to have this shiny quality to it.) She flew over to it and I saw there was a huge strong looking barrier.

I scowled." Blasted Barrier. "

Terra studied it. (I think a few Iron Heads ought to take care of it. Better hold on tight Sam.)

I did just that. She concentrated and in a few minutes Her body became surrounded by a white aura, making it appear black and white. She slammed into the barrier, which didn't so much as crack. But after she did the attack three times followed by two Iron Tails it shattered. .

We went though it only to be met by a second barrier fifty or so feet from it. The new barrier had a pinkish tone and I could feel something humming from it. Apollo's eyes went wide for a minute. "What's wrong?"

(Hear that strange humming?) I nodded as his eyes went back to normal. (It's a psychically enhanced. keeps things hidden and ….i think it interferes with-)

A gasp escaped from my throat. "Aura …"

He nodded. (I may not be totally in tune with Aura like a Lucario but i can still sense it due to being Psychic. I'm trying to sense with but all i'm getting is a very staticky feeling. If it messes with Aura then…)

Terra came to the same conclusion I did. (It messed with the bond. no wonder why Mrs. K couldn't find them and seems so lost. I wonder how we -Watch out!) She swerved quickly as a volley of powerful white balls of light crashed through the second barrier leaving a huge gap missing us by a few feet. (That was Hidden Power! Do you think…?)

"Has to be… Apollo. Can you-"

(Find where it came from? Easy.) He closed his eyes to focus. I watched the Natu as he opened his eyes and pointed a wing at a break in the barrier I saw that the area where his wing pointed at shimmered on either side of it.(There! The Hidden Power made a hole in the invisibility barrier.)

(Hold on tight. I'm going through it.) Terra zoomed through it.

"Whoa…" I said a few minutes later as she stopped in front of a medium sized old building with gray paint. Its roof was painted to camouflage with the trees. It looked like it was falling apart. I heard voices coming out from a line of broken windows. The voices I recognized were Jaden's and my godfather's. Please tell me we're not too late. We flew closer to one of the only few windowpanes not shattered. It was covered in dirt and grime so we couldn't see what was happening.

(They're in here) Apollo stated. (We have to hurry and act quickly before… that vision I showed you possibly comes to light)

"We need to get J's attention. Dang. I should have grabbed the Key Stone and the Aerodactylite -"

Terra winked at me. (Oh don't worry about me Mega Evolving ... I can provide a distraction . Aerodactylite or no Aerodactylite 'mons like me are very rare and sought after. plus if you'd Mega Evolved me i would have broken a ton of trees and it would have been near impossible for you to sit on my back.)

I chuckled thinking of how sharp and pointy a Mega Aerodactyl's skin was . " fair point girl. Okay. Terra, roar and then fly in when I say the word." I whispered.

….

A cold voice- the same voice as the woman in the vision came from the line of broken windows, "How many times do I have to tell you: it's impossible to defeat me! Nothing and no one can beat me. You are completely-"

This is really going to hurt." Now terra. " I told her.

(YAHHHH!) Terra roared loudly, breaking the window and even I felt my hair stand on end. Terra could be pretty frightening when she wanted to be. Good thing she's on my side and I didn't Mega Evolve her.

"Wanna bet?" I yelled through the windows. "Now!"

"What the h–" the woman's voice was cut off as Terra flew in, smashing the remaining two windows. Glass nicked my arms and I felt the skin break but I bit my tongue and ignored the pain.

I stared down briefly at my poisoned crush in the room's center as he stared unsteadily at me- my hope rising. I'm not too late!

"Sa...mi?" He croaked.

I focused my attention at the woman, fury in my eyes. I noticed a burnt creature at her side and got a chill. It was a mixture of Ariados and Drapion- two deadly Pokémon. Its body had countless red-lavender body parts with black stripes ending with a tail with two stingers. Four yellow lavender striped legs came out of its side along with four segmented legs with pointed toes. Its eyes were pointed, with blue-colored upper parts. Large, fang like red –colored fang like features came from its mouth. A sharp white horn was on the top of its head- that was what had made the Night Shade whip in the vision. Two huge sets of strong Drapion claws on each side glinted. Two Ariados legs were in back along two tails with poisonous stingers. If I hadn't already seen in the vision or heard what Derek's mom went through, I probably would have been too frightened to do anything.

I plucked up my courage and yelled "Terra, AncientPower now! ".

A glowing blue sphere appeared in Terra's mouth and then she fired it at the creature. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Derek talk to Flamie and he coughed out flecks of purple then he fainted.

"NO! DEREK!" I screamed in unison with Ash, Jaden, Aki and Storm. Terra's attack hit the floor, causing a huge dust cloud. My eyes bugged out. Oh no! No, no. It can't be coming true.

Apollo gave me a look. (Sami...). He pointed to the others and then to the dust cloud.

I quickly composed myself. "...R-Right. Terra, land and use Rock Tomb."

(I'm on it!) The ancient Pokèmon shouted as she landed on the battered ground and a enormous ring of rocks surrounded the Ariapion then trapped it as the ring closed up over it. Its screams were muffled. She sent another Rock Tomb at the woman next to it.

"A-A-Apollo-"

He winked. (No need to tell me what to do Sam). His eyes glowed blue as Hypnosis came out and hit the two Rock Tombs . The sounds inside the Rock Tombs stopped as the creature and woman-whom i assumed to be Hunter J-within fell asleep.

My godfather, Aki Flamie and Jaden ran over to me as i got off Terra and bombarded me with questions.

"Sami!"

"How did you find us?"

(wh-where did you come from?) Flamie asked in a small voice.

(Can you get us out of here?) Aki gingerly padded forward. (H-Hunter J's not gonna stay down for long.)

(Need. medical attention) Storm winced in Ash's arms.

As they asked me these questions I realized I couldn't stop looking at Aki, Flamie's Storm and Ash's wounds. It was one thing to see it in Apollo's vision but quite another to see it in reality … holy Arceus. Holy freaking Arceus… "I-I had some help from Apollo. And there was -"

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Ash look to where the woman was asleep. " Escape now, explain later. We have to get out now. That Rock Tomb won't hold J-J for long. If she gets out and awake and sees us still h-here... "

(We're ...beyond toast) Storm hoarsely said as she drew a line across her throat with her good paw.

Flamie looked over at me and then over at my crush worriedly. I could tell she was worried about Derek but then I saw her wince from her injuries.

I nodded at Jaden- there was no way Terra could carry all of us plus Flamie. He got my message. "Come on flame. You did an excellent job. Let's get you safely into your Pokéball."

(I made a promise to Derek that I wouldn't leave his familly t-til he's bet-oww.) She winced from the pain of her injuries.

"A-and you won't, girl. N-not after what Hunter J put you through. You deserve a good long rest " Ash told her. "But we've got to get out of here before it's too late. And Terra can't carry all of us. ."

She looked up at him and nodded. Jaden recalled Flamie to her pokeball and gave it to Ash who clumsily put it in his pocket and zipped it up.

There was no time to lose. "As to h-how I found you… I'll explain later." We gasped as we heard movement from behind the rubble. "We have to leave now. Apollo, d-do a B-Barrier Bubble around Derek. " I tried to keep my voice steady.

Apollo's eyes glowed. I saw a bubble appeared around my crush. The Natu jumped on the bubble and it lifted him up and levitated to where we were, hovering a few feet off the ground next to me. I couldn't bear to look at him like that so I looked away. . " Ash, Aki, Storm, Jaden get on behind me. "

Jaden looked up at us. "Uh Sam? How are you going to fit three humans and two injured Pikachus onto Terra's back?"

I cursed. "Tarous dung! I didn't think this through. I can't leave you alone with that- psychotic b-"

(There's not much room on my back but why don't you hold on tightly to my leg.) Terra said. . (It may get a bit bumpy.).

He shrugged as he helped Aki, Storm and Ash up onto her back then climbed on to her leg "I can manage it. "

.

As soon as we were settled Terra took off through the window hole we had made. I kept biting my lip and kept on glancing to the barrier bubble to my side, the knot in my stomach growing. We were a few miles away from there when Stormand Aki's ears twitched and their fur spiked up.

"What's the-" Ash and i started to say but then Aki yelled (Duck!)

We ducked just in time to hear and see bullets whizzing a few feet above our heads. "Terra! Aerial Spin! Avoid those bullets! "

(Everyone hold on!) She said as she spun in the air. There was another sound of bullets being fired. Jaden and Terra both yelled with pain and her flying got wobbly.

Ash and I asked at the same time: "Jaden, what's the matter?"

"Terra, what's wrong?"

(Owww! Something small and sharp hit the underside of my right wing) the Aerodactyl cried.

"Bullet grazed my arm " Jaden said through gritted teeth. I saw red lines on Terra's wing. I knew that if it hit her skin it wouldn't really hurt her but J had deliberately shot the vulnerable underside of her wing to slow her down.'

"You're mine now!" J's cruel voice came from behind us. We turned around and saw her in a jet pack a hundred feet behind us. She had a gun in one hand and fired it at us, Terra swerved agin and the bullet missed. "I'll chase you to the ends of the earth if I have to. I'll continue to follow you everywhere and attack your loved ones until I either kill or capture you. You shall be hunted in a never ending hunt."

My godfather's face went pale as can be. (Ash… what are we gonna do?) Aki asked quietly.

Her mother gulps and shivered. (We. have to stop her. forever.)

"You're right Storm." He gulped. "We have to do that …"

"Do what?" I asked, my stomach uneasy as Terra tried to stay clear of the bullets.

(G-get rid of Hunter J... p-permanently)! Storm looked at me, a determined yet terrified look in her eyes.

Storm's ears twitched, as she stayed quiet for a half minute. . (We Have to. don't have a choice) she said almost inaudibly as she looked at her trainer.

" We have to make sure she never hurts anyone-be it human or Pokémon ever a- a-again." Ash lowered his voice,

"You mean w-we have to …" I drew a line with a finger across my throat and he nodded.

"It's her or us. " He whispered. "Have Apollo get Jaden and Derek out of here. I …don't want them to see this. This shouldn't be scarring them"

He doesn't want them to see what we have to do. I nodded though I felt mentally sick. "Apollo, t-teleport Derek and Jaden to the nearest hospital stat."

He looked at me and nodded. He mentally moved the bubble with Derek in it to where Jaden was and flew over to them. {Send that malevolent woman straight down to the part of hell where she belongs} he said in my mind.

"J-Jaden you're gonna have to -"

" Lie about h-how Derek and I got injured" he finished." I can do that Sam".

I nodded and shut my eyes, as a second later there was a bright flash. I opened it again and they vanished.

Hunter J laughed. "You think that saved those boys? The older one-will dead soon. You're dead meat once I get you! I'm done with you after my boss arrives to get you and the redhead-" My godfather' shivered at this. - "That other boy is toast. That Aerodactyl is going to make me rich!"

She started searching for another gun. Storm's ears quivered. "Wh-what is it Storm?".

(Wh-whatever... we're planning on doing...do it quickly. Looking for... tranquilizer gun to use on Terra th-then… us) she whispered.

" Tarous crap …" I muttered.

Ash and I asked our respective Pokèmon at the same time in a whisper. " Do you two think you can manage a Hyper Beam attack?"

"Terra, do you have enough strength to use Giga Impact?"

(I think I can do a Hyper Beam) Aki said.

(I'll try …that too) Storm added.

(I think so) terra said. I patted her neck as I saw J about fifty feet from us now. She had gotten another gun out and was just about to fire it at us. Ash nodded at me- it was now or never. Here goes nothing!

"Terra, Giga Impact!" I screamed. Her body became surrounded by orange streaks while a purple energy appeared at the top. It covered her entire body and she flew at J.

The evil woman's eyes went wide. "What the f-" but she got no further before Terra struck. The impact caused the jet pack to break apart and the gun to fall out of her hand. She fell through the air right into her hideout. The streaks around my flying type disappeared. (How. was…that?) She panted.

"Wonderful!" I said as I grabbed a small sweet pear from my little pouch that I always wore around my waist and gave it to her and she devoured it.

Ash patted her side with his good arm. "Great job! Aki, Storm…" he looked away. "You know what to do," . the two mice fired orange-yellow beams from their mouths. "Terra, Flamethrower." I whispered. can't watch either …I shut my eyes

KABOOOOOOM!

I heard and felt the huge explosion. The enormous impact flung Terra about 100 feet. I opened my eyes just in time to see a piece of metal inches away from knocking a weary looking Storm off. " Gotcha!" I grabbed her with one arm, knocked it away with the other and got a deep bleeding gash in my arm for my trouble

(Thanks Sami. That was a close one) She said. (You're hurt.)

"It's. Nothing" I said, ignoring the pain and the line of red on my arm.

.

As I looked at the smoking debris and he fires engulfing the hideout, the horror of what I just did hit me with the force of a Heat Crash attack. " Oh Pokégods I'm a murderer." I whispered, as my body shook as I felt cold, clammy and faint.

"Sami are you-," But he didn't get to finish as I vomited over Terra's side for a few minutes. It was only luck none got on us and there wasn't much in my stomach in the first place. Soon there wasn't anything in my stomach left to throw up.

(Yeeeeeeeeow! Wing down! I'm hit! I'm hit! ) Terra roared as a huge chunk of metal hit her left wing and another piece of debris nicked her tail. Deep gashes dripping red appeared. We started spiraling out of control through the air. Ash gabbed Aki and I held Storm tightly.

I began to feel even weaker as I noticed we were heading for the Oak Corral, my parents' expansive laboratory. "RYYYAN!" I screamed my twin's name as my surroundings started to blur. Please oh please let him know I'm in trouble. No sooner had I thought this than I saw four figures run out with Arcanine and shout my name but it seemed so far away. "Dad? Topaz? Ry?"

but before I could finish darkness overtook me and I fainted.

...

"… Mom and dad are freaking out- well Dad more than Mom. I don't know what happened but whatever it was it couldn't have been good. Come on Sam." I felt a familiar voice- my twin brother's voice say as a wet cool rag was placed on my - forehead.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw a blurry figure a few inches in front of me. I reached for my glasses and was handed them by a tan, grubby hand. As soon as I put them on I saw who the speaker was. "R-Ryan?"

"Sami! Thank Arceus You're awake!" He looked at me, concern in both his face and his warm hazel eyes behind his oversized glasses. His floppy dark brown hair was limp. His white shirt and faded overalls were caked in dirt and grime.

A small Growlithe with a horseshoe shaped white spot on his nose and a twisted back leg was by his side. He yipped happily when he saw me. (Sami!)

"L-Luckie?" I asked. Dad and Umbreon saw some jerk trying to drown the tiny growlithe puppy in a bag on a moonlight walk a few years ago. Naturally they rescued Fire type , who had been traumatized enough he didn't want any human contact. Arcanine instantly adopted the little scared pup as her own foster pup - her own pups had gone on to become police dogs. In spite of to his injury - which was probably why the nameless jerk tried to drown him - luckie overcame his trauma and learned to trust humans again. He slso bonded with Arcanine and us so he would never leave.

He looked up at his name and happily barked. (You're up!) He started licking my face, careful of my glasses and the wet rag. Wet saliva covered my face. (You're okay! You're okay! )

"Good boy... Luckie…."

He stopped. Ryan patted him on the head. (Your brother was worried.)

"So I heard."

"Uh Luckie. Do you mind finding mom or dad- if he's back yet- and letting them know she's awake?" Ryan asked.

(No problem.) The fire type nodded and shuffled off. Ryan took the rag off my forehead and hugged me tightly.

As he I did a quick glance around at my surroundings. I felt the familiarity of the comfy green couch and saw the photographs littered about the room. As my eyes lingered on a recent photograph from my school graduation, I knew I was in my family's living room. He handed me a tall glass of water and I greedily gulped it down and he replaced it with another. I did the same with this glass and the next. "Sami you scared the blazes out of us. If Dad's Arcanine hadn't caught you … you were so extremely lucky. Maybe it was due to dad's old necklace."

I looked down at the ying-yang pendant around my neck. It wasn't magical or anything but I considered it a good luck charm. "I guess. I think it was more dumb luck and timing than anything. Ry, what happened after I blacked out?"

He grimaced then explained. "You fainted and then fell off Terra. Arcanine leapt up and caught you on her back and Jenni used her Pokémon to land Terra. . Dad and Mom helped Mr. K who looked pretty messed up to his feet and asked what happened. He groaned in pain and got out an old battered pokeball, gave it to dad saying 'Kidnap. . Forest. Derek poisoned Hunter J. ' before fainting. When he said the last name the color totally drained from Dad's face. He told mom to take care of the Pokèmon and he'd Bring Mr. K to the hospital. She's in the intensive care unit with the Chu's, terra and the injured Growlithe in the Pokéball. " He paused "Dad wanted me to tell you to stay put until he got back."

I sighed. "I expected worse considering who Hunter J is-" I corrected myself. " I mean was."

"Dad and Mr. K must have has a bad experience with this Hunter J person. " He looked at me oddly. "wait.. Sam. What do you mean ... was?"

"She was an evil Pokèmon poacher Ash faced in Sinnoh he thought dead. She took him and Storm hostage. Derek, Aki and Jaden faced her and. Derek got majorly poisoned. S-she abused Storm and ash. This evil... Hybrid of hers- some kind of mix between Drapion and an Ariados nearly murdered Derek- it did a major poisoning on him and severely injured Aki. I came in at the right moment. She almost killed him and was coming to kill us until …"

"Until what?"

Horror rose up in my stomach again and my face went pale. I puked on his shirt- Luckily there was not much left in my stomach to throw up but water. "I - I mean Ash and I - w-we killed her. " the word vomit-along with the water-came spilling out of my mouth. I sobbed into the non water-puked area on his tee shirt between my words. " She was going to hunt us down a-a-and kill our families and us. We didn't have a choice. "

"It's okay Sam. It's okay." He hugged me tightly again as I cried into his shirt . I don't remember how long I cried for.

I was so busy sobbing that I didn't realize Dad had come into the room and sit next to us until I looked up and saw him . "Dad. I-t I-" my throat dried up .

He knelt down to face me and I saw myself reflected in his dark viridian pupils. "Did what you had to save your friends. Ash told me how you saved them."

"B-buI I.. k-killed someone! I should be locked up i-in jail."

"It was justifiable in that it was self-defense. She would h-have - "-he gulped- "d-done the same to you without wasting a breath." He replied.

"So I'm not in trouble?"

He sighed and rubbed his temple. "I swear to Arceus making Ash your godfather was a huge mistake-you've picked up some up some of his traits. Don't think you're off the hook young lady." He raised his voice and I could tell the lecture was coming. "Samantha Kyralie Shigeru Oak-" I flinched at my full name -I knew I was in major trouble now.I'm so in really deep Tauros dung. . "You shirked your duties, ran away without telling anyone, went up against Pokèmon Hunter J with only Apollo and Terra, nearly got yourself killed ...and." I cringed, ready for the verbal blow ". You have saved us all."

That ..went better than I expected. "I didn't actually fight her. All I did was stop her." I pointed out.

"What in Arceus' holy name were you even thinking? I went up against her in Sinnoh with Blastoise and she nearly creamed him. "

"Dad… I didn't know. "

His next words were a blend of relieved/horrified parent. "I thought you were smarter than this! I... I was worried I lost you. You should have a message or something. She could have killed you and/or Jaden, Aki, Storm Terra or Ash! It was reckless but courageous. It showed tremendous bravery. I'm… proud to call you my daughter. How did you know where to find them?"

Ryan spoke up. "Apollo had a vision and there was a …note Derek found. In it H-Hunter J said n-no police or she was going to forcefully harm Storm. "

"What would she want with Storm?" Dad seemed confused. It was common knowledge in our little neighborhood the Waterflower-Ketchum's small Pikachu had a rare problem called electrumus deficient disorder and she couldn't really use electricity. But that didn't stop our neighbors from admiring how incredible and wonderful she was.

It was my turn to answer. "She attacked them at night a few days ago. She mistook Storm for her mate. It was only luck that no one was hurt too badly."

Dad noticed my dried injuries from the debris and the cuts from the glass. " Right Sami ... If nobody was hurt…then what's that?" He pointed at the wounds, which I noticed were cleaned .

"Uh… my attempt at saving Storm from debris and going through J's hideout windows ."

"I didn't want them to get infected while she slept so I cleaned them with a compress." Ryan added.

"Good thinking son." Dad looked over at me. "Go take a shower and those injuries properly cleaned up with antiseptic " he noticed my pale face. "After you get something to eat then you're going to help heal Terra with your mother in the lab. ". He got up and turned to leave but paused as Ryan helped me off the couch. "Oh ...And Samantha?"

I cringed at my full first name. "Y-yes dad?"

"y-You're grounded until I say so."

I sighed. . I so deserved that. Thanks a lot for predicting that Apollo.

Time change time change time change time change time change

Later that night I was on my bed cover in my room finishing up my diary's latest entry about what had happened. I wore a large tie-dyed matching pyjama top with the Indigo Conference symbol in the middle and sweats. I sighed as I read at the ending part of the entry as Remy slept on a nearby pillow. " Derek's safe but who knows what's going to happen to him? I hope he's going to survive. I took a big risk to save him- I was glad to get off with only grounding though Dad gave me a biiig lecture. I couldn't live with myself if he-he didn't make it." I sighed as I looked over at the snoozing rat. "What am I going to do, Remy?" I asked the sleeping Ratatta as I scratched his left ear.

He was asleep so the only response I got was he twitching his front paws. I'll never forgive myself if I rescued them and if derek-

A light knock on the adjoining door that led to Ryan's room brought me out of my thoughts. "Hey Sam? Can I come in?"

"Sure." I locked the book and shoved it under my pillow just as my tall twin came in. He wore almost identical clothes except his tee shirt had the Johto league symbol on it. Apollo was on his shoulder .He sat on the bed next to me, absent-mindedly petting Remy with his left hand and looked me in the eyes. "What's up?"

"Sami, I know..."

"You know …what?"

"I know about you liking Derek. "

ˆWhaaaat? My mouth went dry. "But-but how? I thought I kept it well hidden. "

"uh.."

(Me) Apollo stated.

"Shush Apollo." I told the Natu.

"Partially." He raised his eyebrows. "We're twins remember? I can kind of sense what you feel."

"Oh. duh. I forgot How long have you known?"

"Uhh." he nervously chuckled. "Maybe…since the beginning? "

"Ryan! Why you! " I punched him in the left arm.

"Owww! What was that for?"

"For being an idiot! I take it you know the truth about the visions then?"

"Well … uh " he looked sheepish. " …wait .. there was another one too?"

'"actually..visions." I corrected him. "there was another one . it was super quick but incredibly patchy and faded. Ash and Misty were totally tied up on the floor with some kind of superbly strong thick Spider Web nets over their whole bodies and gags around their mouths. the nets were red in some places . they were staring up in horror at some figure in the shadows. all I could glimpse was a scarred face and a bright blue eye."

He shuddered. "sounds creepy. Good thing neither vision came to fruition."

The tiny bird said. (And how we found them and -)

"Shush apollo . Not helping. " I told the bird pokemon. .

Remy's ears twitched as he sleepily opened one eye. (Huh? What's going on?)

"Nothing Rem." I told him. I had told the Rattata about what really happened in strict confidence and secrecy. Beside I knew the rat wouldn't say a word. " Just chewing out my idiotic twit brother for knowing the truth about the and knowing about my crush on- on yo know who."

(Ah I see.) He looked up to my brother , (you're doomed Ry. It's Back to sleep for me then.) The rat closed his eyes and went back to sleep within a few minutes . I picked up the snoozing Pokémon and placed him gently on an extra pillow near the top of my bed.

Ryan looked at the rat Pokémon "How in the world does he do that?"

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously bro? Rattatas populations live everywhere in Kanto and Johto . Their species is used to falling asleep in various places and with tons of background noises , Plus Rem's lived at the lab long enough to tune out any noise that bothers him ."

"oops. Forgot about that ." He lowered his voice. "Now I know why you rushed out. That must have been. …Terrifying."

"That's putting it bluntly . you didn't say anything about it to Mom or Dad? You let Dad chew me out me like that !"

"In my defense I didn't know how much trouble you were in until I heard you call my name. All I got was that twin sense tingle feeling. I didn't know he was going to chew you out that much. though you kind of deserved it." I gave him Electivire mentioned he faced J in Sinnoh but didn't say much."

"I didn't know Dad had faced J. All I got was that she was totally gripped on revenge on Ash and Mrs. K. She really didn't notice me-probably cause she only faced dad once and he wasn't really that much of a thorn in her side. Once we were in the air she had her eyes on Terra and she nearly brought us down with a tranquilizer gun. She would have succeeded and gotten away with if .if."

"If it weren't for you meddling kids." Ryan ended, rephrasing the infamous catch phrase of the assorted villains of ' Scooby-Doo'.

I nodded. "Yeah. Just like that. You're not going to tell anyone are you? "

(Ha!) Apollo laughed. (Who in their right mind would believe him?)

We heard a mocking tone in Ryan's voice in both our heads. (Uh yeah officer I know who gave them those wounds… describe it? uh One was a super powerful Dark Dragonite that was evil from horns to tail and the other was this t horrendous hybrid that looked like a cross between an Ariados and Drapion that was the stuff nightmares are made of. No r I'm not lying). The bird laughed again. (Ha! They'd take him to the looney bin. No one-)

"Apollo… Shut up." We both told him and surprisingly he clamped his beak shut.

"Come on sis." He shook his head. "Didn't you see I didn't tell Mom about you knowing Flamie when you were tending to her wounds?"

I thought about HAD stayed quiet when she'd questioned me. "I think she was susp- wait a minute. You knew about Flamie as well? " He grinned sheepishly nodded. I whacked his side with the small pillow a few times. "You total idiot!"

"Owww. I guess I deserved that one as well. "

I groaned. " no really Sherlock?"

"Okay. I guess that was my fault. However I didn't tell dad the full truth about Apollo's visions. he was scared enough "

(you're telling me. ) Apollo muttered.

"I've kept your secret. Thing is … - it was your path to find not my place. I thought it was better for you to figure it out on your own. You know you can tell me anything. You don't have to hide your secrets in jour journal. "

I looked at him feeling like huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Now I wouldn't have to rely on just pouring my hearts' secrets into my journal.

" Thanks Ry . You're the best." I hugged him.

"what are older brothers for?"

I rolled my eyes . "Doofus.. you're only a minute older than me."

"Still makes me older and wiser."

I smacked him with the pillow again. "older? yes? wiser? that's debatable ."

The end