Author's Note

Thanks for reading. I know its been a while

-Blackmon220

Chapter-3

Warning

BAM!

The door swung open with force as Echo ran into her house. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she grabbed her backpack and quickly looked around. What does she pack for? She started scrambling back and forth in her room as Riolu appeared in the doorway, holding the towel and his stone. She got a change of clothes and all of her cash. Other than some food, that was all Echo would need. She zipped up the bag and turned to the door.

"Hey Riolu", Echo said, as she bent down to his level to look him in the eyes more. "Riolu, do you have a family around here? Parents?"

She wasn't exactly sure if he understood. He first gave a confused look, then it turned to understanding, then he turned sad. The Pokemon looked toward the dirt, and shuffled his feet. He dropped the towel and started to fiddle with his stone. Since she was crouched down, Echo could see tears form in the lowered eyes of Riolu. She felt his pain in her heart. He was just like her. She moved closer and embraced the little Pokemon. It felt like a dagger in her heart to see him so sad.

"Would you like to come with me?" Echo asked, finally letting go. She couldn't leave him alone, not with Team Galactic looking around. "I'm gonna be leaving the island".

Riolu looked up still holding a sad expression. Echo stood and held out her hand. Riolu gave his answer by grabbing her hand. Echo smiled. She received a smile from her new companion. Together, they left her humble hut and started towards the ferry dock since it is the only way off the island. Heading down the path towards the mine, Echo noticed the entrance was closed. She decided to ignore the place, since there was probably Galactic members around it. As Riolu and her walked quickly to the left path away from the mine and down the hill towards the water. Echo felt bad about leaving the mine without checking in. Hopefully everyone was alright and not doing anything to drastic.

The path to the dock was steep and full of switchbacks. It had minimal shade in the form of dead trees that barely stopped the glaring sun. It was hard the first few times Echo made this walk, but by now, it was easy. Working in the mine had really strengthened Echo's endurance. Unfortunately, the same could not be said about Riolu. As they descended on the dirt path, Riolu started to slow down. Noticing, Echo spoke up.

"Are you tired?" She asked Riolu. She had turned and gotten to her knees; she already knew his answer. She picked him up and put him on her shoulders for a piggy back ride. Echo quickly realized pressure on her new injury was not good. She cringed slightly in pain, but held it in. Echo could handle it. She started to book it down the path. The dock was coming up and Echo was nervous that she hadn't seen any Team Galactic weirdos yet. Where could they be? With a little more walking, she could see the dock. "That's lucky! there's a boat at the dock!"

She wasn't really expecting one to be there. There was only three time's a day the ferry ran so this must be the second. Echo usually caught the first into The city and the third back. She was about half a mile away as she hit the flat ground that marked the approach. She started to get nervous. There would definitely be Team Galactic by the the ferry, checking people. Echo sat down behind some rocks. They hid Riolu and her from the main path. She couldn't get by with them there. She not only had to hide herself, but Riolu as well. Damn. Echo shook her head. They probably didn't know what she looked like. Even with her unique features, they were hidden well when she was in her mining gear. All they would know is that she has green eyes. An idea popped into mind.

"Ok Riolu, I need you to do something for me." Echo looked seriously down at the Pokemon. "I need you to hide in my backpack for a little while. We need to hide you from the people who attacked us in the mine. Can you do that and stay still and quit?"

Riolu response was a smile. Echo grinned back. How could she not. She was nervous he didn't understand but it was hard to be negative with his adorable smile shining at her. She unzipped her bag and pulled out the clothes. Riolu wouldn't fit unless it was basically empty. She carefully zipped the bag up when he was in, giving him a nervous smile. He was still holding on to his stone as he calmly curled up in the bag as it closed.

"Few. . ." Echo gave a sigh before hefting her precious cargo onto her shoulders, once again causing pain. She put her hoodie up and started walking. She mumbled to herself, "Hope this works. . ."

It was a short distance to the dock. The dock was really a building with an overhang. That was where people waited for the ferry to arrive. It looked like an old barn with tin roofing. The shade it made helped to keep people cool during the islands hot days. To the right of the barn was the actual dock. It was a simple wood plank dock with a light on the end. The whole area was surrounded by a wood fence and a gate that was always left open. In the gateway where two men, both donning weird space suits. Team Galactic.

As Echo approached the gate, the two men moved to intercept her. They appeared quite bored as they approached Echo, who unlike them was starting to shake. These guys were notorious around Sinnoh about being brutal to anyone who opposed them. Word had gotten as far as Iron Island about them. It would be awful to get caught.

"Hey kid, stop right there." The one on the right start as they stopped in front of her, a couple feet from the gate. "Why don't you take of that hood so we can get a good look at ya."

It wasn't a question as much as it was a demand. Echo slowly let her hoodie down. She prayed Riolu would stay still and quiet. If he was noticed they would be in trouble.

"Is there a problem?" Echo asked as innocently as she could. Hoping she gave off the right impression.

"Ugh. . . another one that doesn't match. Do you know any boys around your age from this island?"

"Ya, We gots somes business withs 'em!" The other pitched in with a strange accent. "They ain't gonna keeps that Pokemon froms us!"

They looked curiously down at her. They were both at least a foot and a half taller. Echo kept up the act. "I'm not even from here. I just like to explorer when my parents come here with me. I need to meet them on the ferry if you wouldn't mind?"

She lied through her teeth, hoping for the to be believable enough. The right one kept a straight face while the left, accented one's face turned annoyed.

"Pah!" The man exclaimed frustratingly to no one in particular. He turned and walked back to his spot near the gate. The calmer one nodded for Echo to move on and followed his partner to the gate. Echo held her breath as she walked past them towards the ship awaiting its final passengers to board. She overheard a part of the Galactic pairs conversation as she passed.

". . . Mine was empty and we still can't find that damn kid with the blue Pokemon. . ."

It didn't make a whole ton of sense, but Echo guessed they were having a hard time finding her. Oh well, she needed to get to the ship. The last passenger just boarded. Echo ran calmly and hailed the crew member who was looking over the boarding. He recognized her and waited till she got to the dock.

"Welcome aboard once again Mrs." He said with a smile. Echo didn't feel like smiling so she just nodded and found a seat quickly. The seat was on the second floor of the ferry, in a corner for some privacy. There wasn't many people on board so she didn't think it would be a problem. There was a couple on the other end of the seating area as well as a businessman. They seemed preoccupied so Echo felt safe enough to let Riolu out. She quickly unzipped her bag which was at her feet. The blue Pokemon quickly peeked out and looked around. He must have been nervous as well. Riolu popped his head up and looked around curiously. He got out of the bag and hopped into the seat next to Echo. Echo laid her head back and closed her eyes. Echo was full of worry.