Rin: Oh my gosh my lovelies it has been too long T_T so much crap has happened and literally it seems to always be something with me. I've had some personal family issues that we still aren't completely in the clear for. I recently lost my job of 2 years. I had been trying to find a job with no luck for months till now! I recently started a new job and lemme tell you guys I love my job. I get the option to stand or sit on a stool which I do a bit of both and I'm not exhausted all the time. Only thing about my job is there is A LOT of paperwork involved. I know I had been promising updates for awhile but it really has been a crazy time. Hopefully I can catch up.

Cassia's POV

I let out a small groan as I sat up from my sleeping bag. In my half-awake state, I glanced around and noticed Sayuri was not in the tent and felt my breath catch in my throat as panic washed over me. I got dressed as quickly as I could and ran out of the tent, stumbling a bit as my foot got caught in the sleeping bag.

"Woah, where are you going in such a hurry?" Aurora asked, glancing up from her task at stirring a pot that I assumed was something we would be having for breakfast.

"Sayu? Where is she?" I asked quickly. Aurora saw the panic in my demeanor and rolled her eyes.

"Cass, calm down. She is fine. She is with Ace. He has not been doing so well, and the two have something in common, so they are hanging around each other to comfort one another, I suppose." She said, going back to her stirring and adding a few spices and chopped veggies.

"What are you even making?" I asked, looking into the pot.

"Egg and Miso soup!" she said happily. I nodded satisfied and walked off to find Sayuri and Ace. As I searched, I noticed everyone seemed to be sitting around, lost in their thoughts except Sarina. She was attempting to chat with Ben, who was looking more and more annoyed as she spoke. He and I made eye contact, and he practically shot up and ran toward me.

"Good morning, Cassia. I have something important to discuss with you!" He said, cheerfully I nodded, catching his lie, and motioned for him to follow me. We walked around idly talking till we found Sayuri and Ace. The two looked up and greeted us. Motioning us to come closer.

"Sayuri Ketchum! You had me worried sick!" I snapped. She smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.

"Sorry, I just could not sleep, and Ace was the only one awake so we decided to hang out till everyone else decided to get up." I rubbed my temples and sighed, knowing I could never stay mad at Sayuri.

"Fine, you are forgiven... This time." I said, crossing my arms glaring playfully at her. She motioned for me to sit next to her, and without any hesitation, I accepted her invitation while Ben sat with Ace. We spent the morning talking till Ren came to let us know that breakfast was ready. Breakfast was awkward. No one spoke about yesterday's events. Sarina had kept to herself, only speaking to Rai or attempting to talk to Ben. Once we finished, we began packing up and heading for the road again. Rose and Ren had been moody since they took Ryuu, though I can not say I blamed them. The Shinji's were a very close family despite Paul's past. Many believed the champion became more family-oriented thanks to Dawn. According to what my parents said about them, Dawn was a wonderful mother to her children and a good wife to Paul. Thanks to Dawn, Paul patched up his relationship with Reggie. The two families did everything together, so much that the five cousins grew up as siblings rather than cousins. Sayuri and Ace were inseparable. Although Ace was usually very calm, he was never hesitant to snap at Sarina for any comment directed toward Sayuri. I was lagging behind Sayuri and Ace, listening here and there as the two talked. Aurora walked at my pace and tried gaining my attention multiple times but to no avail.

"Well, would you look at that? Your bodyguard gets taken, so you cling to someone else to protect you." Sarina sneered.

"Sarina, that is enough. Seriously this is not the time or place to be picking fights." Sam said, putting his hand on his twin's shoulder. Sarina shrugged him off and walked ahead of the group, scowling the whole way.

"About time you said something to her." Rose snapped, glaring at Sam. Sam let out a sigh and nodded.

"I had hoped that this would blow over, but I guess not. I did not want to get into the affairs of my sister. This has gotten way out of hand. It is not even jealousy at this point, it is unnecessary hostility. " Sam said, irritation laced in his voice.

"You think?" I snapped out sarcastically. Sam gave a sheepish look.

"It's ok Sam it's not your fault," Aurora said as she smiled sweetly at Sam. I rolled my eyes at the two. They were honestly annoying to watch. Sam would tease Aurora relentlessly and find any way to embarrass her. Aurora would be the supportive best friend, not knowing Sam had the biggest crush on her.

"Sorry, Cassia." I let out a sigh. I couldn't get mad at him, not completely. I understood why he didn't want to get involved with his sister's drama. It at first started as something small, Kairi and Sarina like Rai, while Rai couldn't make up his mind. When he finally did make up his mind, Kairi got hurt. Somewhere in that period, Sayuri and Sarina stopped talking. This made Sarina believe that Sayuri was taking Kairi's side. Which she was. Then if anyone associated with Kairi or Sayuri, they were then labeled as the enemy in Sarina's book.

"Can we please just cut the drama and move on? We still have to figure out how we are going to get Ryuu back." Ren snapped. Rose was by his side with her hands on her hips, nodding in agreement. Ren's tone was stern as if warning anyone to talk back. It was a silent promise that if we did not drop the topic he would lose his temper. The group became silent once more and we continued on in silence. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Ace had wrapped an arm around Sayuri. The action was his way of showing comfort to her after the whole fiasco with Sarina. Sayuri only smiled a small thankful smile and continued whatever conversation she was having with the older male.

Kairi's POV

I felt as if I hadn't gotten an ounce of sleep. I didn't know what was wrong but I just knew something had happened or was gonna happen. Something wrong, something we needed to be prepared for, something I couldn't share with mom and dad just yet, otherwise they would dismiss it as still being shaken up from the first attack. Luxray seemed to feel the same. He was getting out of his Pokeball more than usual and would just stare out the window of the Pokemon Center.

"You feel it too don't you?" I whispered, lifting my hand to gently run my fingers through his mane. I looked out the window absentmindedly petting Luxray.

"Kairi are you alright? you haven't been yourself at dinner and even now I noticed something was still off with you. Are you still shaken up?" mom asked, sitting beside me. I didn't want to worry her again with the same problem. She and dad were already worried about Team Galactic finding us again.

"I'm fine, just a little tired is all," I said and stood up to stretch before walking out of the room to look for Mira. I found Mira standing beside dad as he spoke to Uncle Reggie over the phone. Mira noticed me and quickly ran to me. Paul quickly turned around in a slight panic and then visibly relaxed when he saw Mira running to me. He turned his back to us once more and continued his conversation with Uncle Reggie. We walked over to dad offering a small wave to Uncle Reggie. He beamed a smile and then looked back at dad.

"So where are you guys now Paul?" Uncle Reggie asked,

"Hearthome. we'll be heading out after breakfast." dad said, placing his hand on top of Mira's head. I noticed Uncle Reggie was staring at where dad's hand was and that the wheels were turning in his head as a smirk crept onto his face.

"What?" Paul asked warily, noticing Uncle Reggie's smirk.

"Who knew that fatherhood suits you Paul" Reggie said grinning. Dad's face turned red. He then angrily hung up on Uncle Reggie without a goodbye. Dad led Mira and me back to the room to see mom had finished packing up. Jennifer was sitting off to the side with a bored look on her face and Daniel was pacing back and forth impatiently.

"We are heading out if everyone is ready," Dad said, glancing at everyone.

"Finally! Daniel shouted. Jennifer just rolled her eyes at her partner's antics.

"Please excuse his stupidity. However, we'd like to get moving quickly to figure out how to save our family." Jennifer said, crossing a leg over her lap.

"We understand your enthusiasm but we don't have the slightest idea how to help you. We are heading to Veilstone as a shot in the dark." dad said, sighing.

"That's a good start," Daniel said and started pacing again with a hand to his chin, looking up at the ceiling in thought.

"Yes, if we go there we can stop them ahead of time! Their base is in Veilstone" Daniel continued.

"That's the Idea we thought of doing as well," I said, crossing my arms.

"You guys are nuts, we can't all infiltrate Team Galactic's base!" Jennifer snapped.

"I mean your parents attempted to do it with one other guy, what's your excuse," I asked, glaring at Jennifer. Jennifer's face turned red in anger.

"For one, I'm not my parents. and two, I have more sense than they did." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Thought you wanted to do anything to save our future," Daniel muttered. Jennifer went quiet for a moment.

"I do, but I'm not getting myself killed for you people either." She snapped

"Well fine, you can stay here, and WE will infiltrate Team Galactic." Daniel snapped and stormed out.

"Arf! arf! Master Daniel, wait!" Growlithe yelled and ran after Daniel.

"Last chance Jennifer, either you come with us, or we leave you behind," I said, looking at her.

"I still think you all are crazy but, if we can stop them, then I guess I'm in." She said, standing up and following after us. We caught up to Daniel after we turned in our room keys. He hadn't gotten very far and had a smug look on his face when he saw us.

"I knew you'd change your mind." He said, smiling at Jennifer. She scoffed.

"I didn't do it because of you. I did it because I want this to be over." She snapped and walked past him.

Ryuu's POV

I hadn't moved from my spot since they threw me in this cell. Ash was gripping the bars yelling, and Brock was trying to get him to shut up and sit down. I briefly glanced up, hearing footsteps, and saw it was the cloaked figure.

"Comfortable? Too bad. You'll be stuck here till my plans fall through." She snapped.

"Who even are you!" Ash yelled. The cloaked figure glanced at us and smirked sadistically. Her smirk was full of malice and promise of what would happen to us. I could faintly see pale skin and dark onyx eyes. The little bit of hair that showed from under her cloak looked to be a dark purple.

"You will soon learn, but now is not the time." She said with a wave of her hand and left. Following behind her was a grunt with trays of food. The grunt dropped the trays on the ground and slid them to us, messily spilling our food, and laughed as he walked out, clearly happy with his actions.

"Well, we may as well eat to keep our strength," Brock said, already starting to eat whatever was on his tray. Deep down I knew he was right and it was the smart thing to do. So I begrudgingly stood up and moved closer to get my share of the food and we ate in silence. Surprisingly, Ash was silent as well as we ate. Suddenly explosions were heard Brock, Ash and I shot up trying to see what was going on. Next thing I know is a hooded figure much smaller in frame from the first hooded figure was at the cell door with Ash's Pikachu at her feet.

"We have to hurry. I didn't buy you enough time." The voice belonged to someone who was female that much I could tell but she had a veil that covered her mouth along with her hood so only her eyes were visible. Her eyes were a bright gold that held warmth and worry as she gazed at us. After we ran out of the cell, we followed behind the mystery girl as she frantically led us through the halls. She stopped at what seemed like a dead end and placed her hand on the wall we watched as it lit up and shattered in little particles of light.

"Go through here I'm the only one who knows about it. Now go!" she snapped and pushed us in, handing us our bags as she pushed and the open door became a solid wall once more.

Mysterious savior's POV

I glanced one last time at the wall satisfied that they had escaped. They would be the end to this madness and then I'd be free from this prison. As I ran down the halls I crashed into the last person I wanted to see, She stood tall and I could feel the malice roll off her in waves

"You helped them escape didn't you M3" she snapped lifting me from the collar of my hood

"I'm not M3, my name is Miyo!" I sneered back at her she only smirked and threw me to the floor my long magenta colored hair now exposed.

"I've given you everything you could have ever wanted! Education, toys, clothes, a place with food and you betray me! M3"

"You're wrong, you gave me those things to keep me here mother, to keep me distracted from all that you were committing to. Not once thinking I'd find out just what I am? That this!" I yelled pausing in my rant to point to the red jewel that was embedded into my forehead like a birthmark and the two grey tails with matching red jewels that were now exposed. "That this isn't normal? That it's not normal to name your child M3!?" I yelled glaring at her with all the hate I could muster for this woman but I knew she wasn't the only one my hate should be directed at she wasn't the true mastermind no, she was nothing more than a deluded woman seeking revenge for something that had happened by her master's choice. I felt the stinging pain of her hand connecting to my cheek and glared at her

"It seems I've been too lenient with you, M3" she sneered and slapped the dreaded bracelets that sapped every ounce of energy out of me, onto my wrists laughing as my screams filled the halls. She even laughed once I fell limp. I felt myself being carried in my subconscious back to my room where I would continue to be trapped in. But it was fine I helped them escape and that was satisfying enough for me.

Ryuu's POV

Once we were out of the tunnel I couldn't help thinking about the hooded girl that had helped us. A thousand questions ran through my head. I began to wonder why she helped us. Was she a prisoner too? Why didn't she escape with us if that were the case. I was cut off from my thoughts when Brock put a hand on my shoulder.

"Her tunnel led us pretty far out. I'm not even sure where we are." He said. I glanced around as well and I didn't recognize where we were. Suddenly we heard voices and then moments later the owners of the voices appeared and before I could even react Ash ran past us and swept up the small frame that belonged to Sayuri, who was confused at first then broke down in sobs as she clung to Ash. Ren and Rose paused to see the scene and then saw me watching Sayuri and Ash. Rose threw herself at me hugging me as if her life depended on it sobbing into my shoulder tears of relief.

"How?" she muttered I patted her back waiting till everyone had calmed down to tell about the events that had happened.

"So some mysterious girl helped you guys escape?" Ren asked with a hand to his chin in thought. I nodded.

"We aren't too sure what her situation was but we are grateful that she helped us find the group." Brock added in.

"She even had Pikachu and made our bags appear out of nowhere." Ash said we paused to look at him and now that I think about it, when she came and freed us she didn't have our bags the bags didn't appear until she shoved us into the tunnel.

"Well either way you all are safe and back with us that's all that matters." Rose said smiling. I could feel Sayuri staring at me. I turned my gaze to her and watched as she very shyly came closer to me. She paused in her steps. I let out a small sigh and pulled her to sit on my lap hugging her close. As soon as she was in my arms her sobs had started all over again.

"I was so worried, so scared we wouldn't be able to save you but here you are safe and sound." She said her sobbing had calmed down but tears were still in her eyes as she spoke. I let out an exasperated sigh and smiled softly, turning her in my arms to face me.

"I'm so sorry I worried you Sayu" I whispered, pressing my forehead against hers.

"Don't apologize it's...it's my fault if I were stronger they wouldn't have taken you all." She said softly. I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"You could be the strongest person in the world and I would still sacrifice myself for you." I muttered. Before I could continue her lips pressed to mine making my eyes widen momentarily before slowly closing and holding her closer returning her kiss.

"Um Hello, still here." Ash said, causing us to quickly pull away. I gently set Sayuri to sit beside me instead of on my lap.

"Well let's get moving I guess" Ren said to the group. We all slowly got up and lazily got back to walking . While walking I noticed Sarina would not make eye contact with anyone in the group and raised an eyebrow. Ren, seeing my confusion, spoke up only for me to hear.

"She got in a huge fight with Cassia and Sayuri. She hasn't spoken to anyone other than Sam and Rai." I nodded my head. She probably deserved it if she had made Cassia and Sayuri fight her. Both girls didn't typically resort to fighting, especially Sayuri. After Ren filled me in with what had happened after we were kidnapped, I wanted to give Sarina a piece of my mind too. Ren seeing my expression shook his head at me indicating that I should just let it go. I sighed and walked ahead catching up with Sayuri and lazily wrapped my arm around her. The smile I received was the most breathtaking thing I had seen. She continued to stay by my side as we walked talking softly about the randomest of things but I didn't mind listening to her, not when it made her smile to the point it reached her eyes and made them shimmer with pure happiness. As I gazed down at her while she continued to talk, It was at that moment when she smiled and laughed at something she said that I vowed no one would ever steal that smile from her.