Driving through the vast open desert towards the north, where Rui's grandparents live Wes was completely silent and focused on the road ahead of him. In the passenger car beside him sat Rui with Espeon and Umbreon by her sides and Plusle on her lap so he didn't fall off of her shoulder. Rui looked up at the boy driving the motorcycle and smiled at him she couldn't wait to introduce him to her grandparents as the hero that had saved her from a group of crazed people.
Riding down the road Rui looked out to the side and saw something in the distance. It looked as large as her village but there was no way it could have been that because her village was still miles away. Was it another village?
"Hey, Wes look out there I see something big."
Wes stopped the bike and turned his head to where she was pointing at. He took of his sunglasses and stared at the place but he couldn't tell what it was. With curiosity getting the better of the group Wes drove towards what he saw. Getting closer and closer to the mystery location Rui gasped and put her hands over her mouth when place features became more and more clear. It was the remains of what looked like a village that was completely burned to the ground.
"W-What happened here?" Rui whispered in horror.
She walked into the center of the village that was nothing but black rubble. The destroyed remains went as far as her eye could see. There were buildings with falling burned wood, smashed windows torn curtains and flags some of which were burned and there remains scattered around in the wind. The only thing that wasn't charred black was a white stoned well in the center of a village that had busted wooden beams that held up a half melted gold bell that laid beside the well. However when Rui got a closer look she could see that stones were stained red with blood. Rui was shaking; she felt sick to her stomach if this was blood then people must have been killed but how many? Was it only a few or was it the entire village? She began to quickly began to back away from the well but when she did, she stepped on something that didn't feel like sand. Looking down she saw something buried in the sand by the wall. Picking up what she saw she gasped and put her her hand over her mouth for what felt like the fifteenth time. In her hand was a little girls doll that wore a dress made of cloth and brown cloth hair. It had two black button eyes and smile on it's face. It was buried by a stain of blood on the well. Someone killed a child! Rui was now scared, very scared of this place. Who could do something so horrible. Who would destroy homes and kill children?
"W-Wes..." She muttered.
However when she turned to look at her companion she saw that he wasn't beside her. Looking around she saw that he was still at the entrance to the village. She quickly ran to him but when she got closer, she froze in place when she saw his head hung way low. Espeon and Umbreon were still in the car with their heads down and they looked scared Plusle was hiding behind Espeon's head.
"Wes.." Rui began. "This village-"
"Get in the car." Wes whispered.
Rui took a closer look at him and he was visibly shaking.
"Wes?" She asked with concern.
"Rui, get in the car." Wes said louder this time and with more force in his voice.
"Wes, what's the matter?"
Rui tried to put a hand on Wes's shoulder but it was swatted away rather painfully.
"Wes.."
"GET IN THE CAR NOW!" Wes shouted at the top lungs.
Rui backed away and tripped when Wes screamed at her. He had never yelled at her like that before and she had never felt frightened of him before either. He was shaking and breathing heavily and loudly. However it was his eyes that made Rui both scared and worried. They were wide and angry but they were also filled with tears.
Rui didn't know how to react to Wes getting this upset. So without saying a word to him she obeyed his orders and got back in the passenger car while he quickly got back on the motorcycle and drove away from the village rather quickly. Something told Rui that Wes wanted to get as far away from here as possible, but the question was why?
Back on the road to their destination, Rui's eyes were glued on the driver. As they drove he seemed to have calmed down but his face was still full of sadness and anger. Something about that village really struck a nerve. However Rui was a smart girl and she knew it was wise not to ask about why he reacted the way he did.
Looking ahead Rui smiled when she saw a familiar sight coming up in the distance.
"Wes, look up ahead, that's where I live!"
Wes nodded his head and drove faster towards their destination.
Appearing before the group was a village with lush green grass and several rivers of water. It was a very strange sight to Wes who had lived in nothing but a vast desert for all of his life, but it was a very welcoming sight for Rui who was excited to finally be home.
Wes parked his bike nearby the village entrance as Rui and their Pokemon got out of the passenger car. The two walked into the village and Rui stood in front of him.
"Welcome to Agate Village!" She said to him happily.
Wes looked and saw several of the townsfolk and they all had one thing in common.
"Everyone's old!" Wes said rather quietly not wanting to offend anybody.
Rui couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course they're old!" She said. "This is pretty much a retirement village. Almost everyone here was involved with Pokemon in some way and I learned about Pokemon from all of them. Many were trainers and many were scientist from different regions. Everyone here has one thing in common though, they are all very kind and welcoming towards new faces like you."
She then grabbed Wes by the wrist and started dragging him deeper into the village.
"Come let me introduce you to some people while we make our to my house!" She said.
"You can let go of my arm you know!" Wes said remembering what happened when they left Pyrite Town.
His words fell on deaf ears though, as Rui continued to drag him around the village.
Looking around Wes saw more of the villagers each of them smiling and waving at him. it was much more pleasant sight than the scowling faces he was getting in Pyrite Town.
"Oi, Rui!" An elderly male voice shouted somewhat hoarsely.
Turning Rui smiled and saw a bald elderly man with a cane making his way towards them. Rui met him halfway while still holding on to Wes' arm.
"Hi Mr. Leone!" Rui said while happily waving at him.
"Landsakes child! You've been gone for days! Eagun and Beluh are worried sick about you!" He said with worry in his own voice.
"I'm sorry sir," Rui said apologetically. "Several thing have been happening as of late and it took me much longer to come home."
Leone softly smiled and nodded his head.
"Well you're here now and that's all that matters." He said before his eyes fell on Wes "Oh, who do we have here?"
"This is Wes he's a Pokemon trainer that helped me get home." She said motioning to the boy beside her.
Leone smiled happily.
"You're growing up fast child! I can't believe you already have a boyfriend!"
Both Wes and Rui blushed madly.
"Oh no sir! It's not like that! He's just a friend!" Rui said waving her hands in front of her.
Leone laughed happily.
"I'm just kidding. Still it's a pleasure to meet ya, Wes. Any friend of Rui's is a friend of mine so come by and see me any time."
Wes smiled and nodded his head.
"Thank you sir!" He said respectfully.
"Well I suggest you start heading home Rui so you're grandparents can rest easy tonight." Leone said to the girl beside Wes.
"I will I'll see you later, Mr. Leone! Come on Wes!" She said as she grabbed Wes' wrist and led him down the path to her home.
After a few minutes of meeting a few other people and having to let each of them know that they weren't a couple, Wes and Rui arrived at a large hollow tree with a door on it.
"This is my house!" Rui said. "Let's head inside so you can meet my Grandparents!"
Rui went up to the door and opened it. She went inside and motioned for Wes to follow her.
"Grandma! Grandpa! I'm home!" She called out.
Walking into the kitchen with Wes behind her, The two saw an elderly couple sitting at the table. One was a woman with white hair wearing a pink dress and white sweater and the other was a man wearing a purple robe and he had long grey hair and even longer grey beard and mustache.
"Rui is that you!?" The woman said with a surprised look on her face.
"Yes grandma it's me! I'm finally home!"
The old woman got up from her seat and embraced her granddaughter who returned with joy on her face.
"Rui my dear!" The old man said.
Rui let go of her grandmother and ran into the open arms of the man now standing.
"Grandpa I'm so happy to be back home!" She said happily while hugging her grandfather.
Rui eventually let go of her grandfather and the three directed there attention to the only face left in the room. A face that neither of Rui's grandparents have seen before.
"Who's this young lad?" Her grandfather asked.
Rui smiled and stood between three people in the room and made the introductions.
"This is my friend, Wes. He's the one that helped me get home. Wes, this is my Grandma Beluh and Grandpa Eagun!"
"How do you do?" Beluh said sweetly.
"Much obliged, Wes!" Eagun said to him with a smile before it left his face as he turned to his granddaughter.
"Rui, You've been gone for days. You're grandma and I have been worried sick about you. Where on earth have you been sweetie?"
Rui's smile disappeared and she put her hands behind her back. She couldn't stand looking into the eyes of her grandparents when they were worried.
"Well some things happened and-"
"Rui, stop feeding around the bush!" Wes said sternly as he crossed his arms. "Tell them what happened to you!"
Rui's grandparents were somewhat surprised at Wes' tone of voice with their granddaughter but were more surprised at what he said. What did he mean by tell them what happened to her?
"But Wes-"
"They're your grandparents who have been worried sick about you this entire time." Wes said sternly once more but with a little less harshness in his tone. "There's no point in hiding what happened when they deserve to know. Don't worry I'm sure they'll understand."
"Rui what is he talking about!?" Beluh asked with a look of concern.
Rui knew she was cornered. She didn't want to tell them what happened and worry them even more that already were. However, Wes was right; there was no point in hiding what happened to her. Letting out a sigh she explained to her grandparents what happened.
"Okay the truth is, I was kidnapped by some thugs in Pyrite Town."
Eagun and Beluh both gasped.
"Oh, my goodness, you were kidnapped!?" Beluh said with surprise.
Rui nodded her head and Wes did the same thing behind her.
"I was taken to Phenac City where I was rescued by Wes. Since he rescued me I've been on a journey with him."
"A journey!?" Eagun asked. "What kind of journey!?"
"I'll explain everything later." She said. "But that's why I haven't come home until now. I was kidnapped by thugs, but I was saved by Wes whose been protecting me this entire time."
Eagun and Beluh didn't know what to say. They turned their heads to look at Wes.
"She's telling you the truth." He said. "That's pretty much what happened but she isn't telling you everything."
Rui knew those last words were directed at her. She put her hands on her hips and faced Wes with a frown on her face.
"I said I would explain everything later." She said with annoyance in her voice.
Both of the kids looked back at Eagun and Beluh who were dead silent. But then their faces turned into smiles.
"Well you're home safe and sound now and that's all that matters." Eagun said as he faced Wes. "I thank you Wes for saving my granddaughter and keeping her her safe this entire time."
Rui smiled and put her hand on Wes' shoulder.
"He's a very strong trainer with a soft heart. He may seem rough on the outside but he's actually very sweet."
"You're forgetting one important thing about me Rui." Wes said before facing her grandparents. "Listen before anything else happens I feel like you should know the truth about me. Since Rui's being honest with so then I should be honest as well."
"What do you mean?" Eagun asked.
Wes sighed and let the secret that only Rui knew so far.
"Have you ever heard of Team Snagem?" Wes asked.
"Yes, I've heard they were a group of thieves that stole Pokemon from other trainers." Beluh said.
"Well this will probably come off as quite a shock, but your looking at one of their former members."
Both Eagun and Beluh Gasped.
"Wait!" Rui said quickly. "Before you guy's say anything I just want to let you know that Wes is not a horrible criminal like the rest of them. He hates stealing from others and he cares deeply about his Pokemon and protecting those that are in danger. He's not a bad person just a bit misguided."
Eagun and Beluh didn't know what to say. Their precious granddaughter was running around with a criminal. Yet he didn't have an evil look in his eye. In fact his eyes looked rather sad instead of evil.
"Well that is quite a shock." Eagun said. "However, I've learned throught the years to never judge a book by it's cover. You've protected my granddaughter this entire time and she seems very happy. So, Wes I don't hold any ill will towards you."
"Neither do I." Beluh said right after him.
Wes couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you for that." He said kindly.
"Now did she say you were a trainer?" Beluh asked with a smile making Wes nod his head. "Well my husband was a pretty strong trainer when he was your age. Perhaps you two could have a battle."
Wes smiled.
"That's a nice though ma'am but-"
"Oh please, just call me Beluh and the same goes for Eagun as Well."
"Alright Beluh, It's a nice thought and I would love to battle if Eagun would like but right now I'd like to rest for a bit because It's been a long day for both Rui and myself." Wes said to her respectfully.
"Well Wes how about you stay with us for the night. Is that alright Grandpa?" Rui asked.
Eagun looked at Wes with a smile on his face. "You've done so much for my precious granddaughter I think the least we could do is give you a place to stay when you need to rest so Wes our home is you're home."
Rui hugged her grandfather.
"Oh thank you Grandpa!" She said before turning to the boy in front. "I can't wait until you have dinner with us Wes. Grandma is one of the best cooks in all of Orre."
"It's true that's how she got me to marry her." Eagun said with a smile making Beluh blush.
Wes couldn't help but smile himself this town was full of the kindest people that he's ever met.
"Why don't we go walk around town so you can get to know the locals." Rui said with a smile.
Before Wes could even respond Rui grabbed him and ran out the door.
"We'll be back later!" She called out to her grandparents as the two went down the hill.
Eagun and Beluh softly smiled.
"She's always been energetic, that child." Eagun said to his wife.
"They remind me of us when we were younger." Beluh said.
"Do you think it's really alright to let her be around this Wes fellow?" Eagun said.
Beluh nodded her head.
"Something tells me he would do anything to keep her out of harms way."
Eagun smiled.
"I think your right."