Author's Note

Trying to make big chapters now. Hope you enjoy!

-Blackmon220

Chapter-4

Getting Help

The ferry was coming into Canalave now. Echo and Riolu had moved up to the bow of the ship to get a better view of the city. Riolu was hanging off the railing with Echo to his side. Together they watched the drawbridge rise as the ship approached and passed through water way. Echo had been to the city countless times but should could only guess what was going through Riolu's mind right now. As ferry approached the dock, Echo brought Riolu over to the ramp and prepared to get off. She wanted to get to the gym as quickly as possible.

There was so much she need to ask she didn't even know where to start. Since she heard that voice in her head she couldn't think straight. Was she going insane? She needed to talk to Byron and get some help with her out of control situation. She had her bag on with her hood up. Riolu was staying very close to her as they got onto the dock and walked towards the street. Riolu must have been too busy taking everything in to notice Echo's nervousness. She was looking at everyone suspiciously. It probably looked a little creepy, Echo realized and forced herself to stop. Without delay Echo b-lined it to the gym. She knew this city like the back of her hand since she came here for errands and occasionally to hang out with JC. Luckily the gym was close to the dock. Only two blocks up. As they approached the building, Riolu gazed at it curiously.

"This is the gym, we should be able to get some help here." Echo said to Riolu.

Time to meet Byron. Echo led the way as she walked towards the doors, which slid open as she approached. Riolu looked wildly around as they walked in. Echo looked around the same way since this was her first time in the gym. It was full of steel beams and elevator lifts. It was like a giant maze.

"AH! A new challenger! Awesome!" A voice said from behind Echo. She whirled around to see a guy in a business suit and sunglasses.

"Are you Byron?" She asked curiously. He didn't seem like a gym leader. Not that she had anything to compare to. She had never met one.

"HAHA! Nope. My name is Clyde. I'm a talent scout at gyms around Sinnoh. You must be a new trainer!" Clyde explained with excitement. "I can't wait to watch you battle!"

"No no no no!" Echo exclaimed. "I'm not a trainer! I just need to talk to Byron. I have a problem and he might be able to help."

"Oh. Too bad. I was looking forward to a battle." He said, slightly bummed out. "Oh well. Let me call him down for ya."

Clyde walked away towards a pair of stone statues on pillars. Echo through the Pokemon carved on it was a Rhydon or something like that. She had never seen one before. The gym was loud. There was probably some kind of training going on that just couldn't be seen. Echo and Riolu looked around as they waited for word on Byron. They watched a lift fall from somewhere not visible. When it reached the ground a man with purple hair walked of. He looked stern. You could see pokeballs on his waist. He wore a cloak and long pants with the same boots as Echo wore in the mine.

The man walked over to Clyde who exchanged a few words with him. Clyde pointed over to Echo and Riolu who where watching both of them. The new man nodded and walked over to them. Could this be Byron? Echo wasn't sure it would be this easy. It probably wasn't him.

The man came over and addressed Echo. "I heard you have a problem?"

"Yes." Echo responded. "I was hoping to talk to Byron about it."

"Well that's good. My name is Byron. I'm the gym leader here" He said without changing his expression much. Echo was shocked this was Byron. Not exactly what she expected. He seemed really serious. And he had purple hair.

"Oh." was all Echo could say. Slightly embarrassed by her assumption.

"What's your name? I don't believe we've met."

"I'm Echo. I'm from Iron Island."

"I see. . . and who's your friend?"

"Friend? Oh! This is Riolu." Echo said with a wave of her hand. Riolu's head turned sideways as he gave Byron a studying look.

"I see. Follow me over here." Byron led the pair to a small table and some chairs by what appeared to be a training area. Taking their seats, Byron looked at Echo. "So whats seems to be your problem?"

Echo took a breath and started her story. She told him everything that happened to her in the last day. How she met Riolu and how Team Galactic is now chasing them. She told him about the strange man who saved her and the voice she heard on the ferry to Canalave. She wasn't sure if she should have said that since she received a weird look from him. She finish her story with a deep breath and looked at Riolu who was sitting patiently next to her. He was fiddling with his stone. Echo looked at Byron next who was also looking at Riolu, except he had a thousand mile stare. He must be thinking. Echo hoped he would help.

"So your shoulder is burned?" Byron asked first.

"Ya. . . here" Echo pulled her collar over to the left to show part of her wrapped shoulder.

"Well first off, I should tell you the truth. I can't help you." He said blankly. Echo's mouth dropped. Why couldn't he help? Who else could? Byron continued on. "I can't deal with Team Galactic right now. The Pokemon League has prohibited gym leaders from dealing with them. I don't know why. So I can't help in that sense." He paused and again looked at Riolu. "I can however give you advice and information."

Echo was starting to understand. Damn. This better be some awesome advise or she was in some big trouble. She only nodded as a response.

"First off, Go to the Poke-Center and get someone to look at that burn and give you medicine. That can turn bad if not cared for. Secondly, get outta town. I recommend you go to the city over from here. Jubilife. There you'll be at a cross road with a ton of paths to take." He advised. It seemed like some solid advice except for one thing.

"Aren't there tons of wild Pokemon on the route to Jubilife? How would I get there? I'm not a trainer." Echo asked, not understanding that part.

"Well that's what he is for" Byron motioned to Riolu. "From what you've told me, he has already bonded with you. He also doesn't have a place to go. I can tell you all about Riolu's and the evolution Lucario if you would like. It would definitely help."

"Wait. . . Are you telling me to become a trainer?" Echo asked. Shocked by this sudden change.

"Yes." Byron replied simply. "It would be the best thing for you. You will learn to take care of yourself."

Echo remained silent. A trainer. She would battle. Train. Travel. See new places. This was never an option for her. She was always just a girl stuck to an island. Could she really become a trainer? She looked down at Riolu who looked up at her and smiled. "Well Riolu? Do you wanna travel an see places?"

His smile didn't even waver. Echo took this as a yes and looked to Byron who was looking intently at her with a small grin on his face. "Can you tell me about Riolu. If I'm to become a trainer I need to know what kind of Pokemon he is."

"I like ya kid. You've got a good heart." Byron laughed. "So, Riolu's are fighting type Pokemon. Both Riolu and Lucario have access to a thing called aura. Aura is in every living thing, it emanates from everything. They use aura to fight as well as communicate. That voice you heard was probably him. Most people can't hear them. You must have some strong aura."

Echo looked from Byron to Riolu, who was back to his stone again. So, Riolu had spoken to her through aura. That's crazy. Could she learn to speak with him more often? Echo studied Riolu as Byron went on.

"This evolution line is extremely smart. They can understand humans at an early age. Your Riolu has probably understood everything you've said." Byron sure knew a lot about Riolu. "Riolu's usually can't talk to people through aura until they evolve and have a strong connection with someone. I'm pretty sure your Riolu already has a strong connection to you. Maybe because you saved him. He is also connected to aura much more than most Riolu. To be able to communicate as a Riolu is quite impressive. He must be extremely strong."

Byron paused. He looked at Riolu with a studying expression.

"Now that is something amazing." He said, scoffing, pointing at Riolu's stone. "That. That is an Aura Stone. They are extremely rare. I've only seen them in books. It is said that if a Riolu or Lucario emit their aura into it and give it to a bonded person, it unlocks a person's aura. That means that person would be able to use aura. Maybe not to a battle standard, but to sense things and talk back using aura. It's absolutely insane that he has one."

Echo looked shockingly down at her companion. There was so much complexity to her new friend. Was all of that true. So Riolu's precious stone is an Aura Stone. Is he really that powerful, this Pokemon that she helped. Riolu was looking back at her. He raised his paw and held it up. It was the Aura Stone. This was just so crazy to Echo. She couldn't take his stone. He tries so hard to protect it.

"He wants you to take it." Byron said. "You should be honored he is giving it to you. It sounds like he went through a lot to protect it."

Echo's eyes never left Riolu's the young, happy Pokemon had such a passionate fire behind his eyes. She slowly put her hand out and accepted his gift. Echo's hands went to her head. There was so much going on she couldn't focus. It was overwhelming. Dropping to her knees she closed her eyes and tried to sort out her mind. She could feel so much around her.

-Focus on this voice. There is too much aura for you to handle- said a small voice in her mind. Echo couldn't think of anything else so she listened to the voice and followed it back to a presence. It was smooth and flowing. It felt nice being near it. Slowly, the other auras faded away as Echo was able to focus on this peaceful aura in front of her.

Finally, Echo opened her eyes to see Riolu and Byron looking at her. She was back in control of her mind. Focusing on that aura had blocked everything else out. Who's aura was it though? Echo looked to Riolu.

"Is that your aura?" Echo asked curiously. "Did you speak to me?"

Riolu put his head down and looked a little embarrassed. He nodded. -Yes.-

Echo didn't get it. Maybe he was just really shy. She stood up and took her seat again, followed by Riolu and Byron who was quiet. Echo got lost in Riolu's aura. It was nice but there was something off. What would you call it? Damage maybe? Pain? Echo couldn't tell. Then Byron snapped her out of thought.

"You two should probably head out. Team Galactic might come to Canalave to search for you." Byron said with concern. "If they were after this ability then they will probably go to great lengths to get it. You guys should leave before it gets to heated around here."

Echo understood. He was right. First, she could get her wound looked at, then they would skip town. Guess she was getting away from the desolate Iron Island quicker than she thought.

"Ya, right. Thank you for all your help." Echo said while standing and grabbing her bag. Riolu also stood and grabbed something on the table.

"I recommend going to Jubilife City then heading south to Sandgem. There is a research professor ther that could help you on your journey. They are an old friend so just tell them I sent you."

"Ok, thank you again!" Echo said on her way to the door. Byron was right. They needed to hurry and leave before Team Galactic got to the city. Echo walked quickly on the street towards the drawbridge. On the other side of the bridge was the Pokecenter and the way out of town. The sun was beginning to fall behind some buildings. The day was coming to an end as Echo and Riolu started towards the Pokecenter.

Echo guided Riolu through the streets of Canalave city towards drawbridge to the other side of town. She was still intensely focused on Riolu's aura. If she lost focus she was scared of being overwhelmed again. She could feel Riolu's nervousness and curiosity. She couldn't blame him for the nerves. She was all sorts of nervous right now. She didn't like cities because of all the people, she just started a journey with a Pokemon she met yesterday, she has an ability that she wasn't sure how to control, and a group of dangerous criminals was probably after her now. She was a giant ball of nervousness and stress. As they walked off the bridge on the east side of town Riolu suddenly stopped. He turned to the water and watched the last fairy come into port, forcing the drawbridge up.

-Can you feel that- Echo could feel his seriousness. Something was wrong. She walked closer to her companion and looked in the same direction he was. At the fairy. -Let your aura wander for a moment, just to feel this-

"But. . . " Echo whispered, not wanting people to see her converse with her Pokemon. The less people that saw that the better. ". . . If I get overwhelmed. . ."

-You can do it, it will be very quick.- Riolu promised. She gave him a glance before closing her eyes. With a small sigh to prepare herself, Echo stopped focusing on Riolu's aura. She braced herself for the oncoming sensation but was shock. This was different. It was cold. So cold. Echo visibly winced and tried to refocus on Riolu. In a second she was away from the cold aura and back to Riolu's warmer aura. It She to a quick gasp of air and realized just that small expansion of her senses made her very tired.

"What was that?" Echo question as she stared at the fairy passing through the mouth of the bay, about to disappear behind the bridge. The cold aura had come from the fairy. It was painful to feel. Like a cold heavy weight laid on your heart. It sent shivers down her spine.

-That is hate and anger. A lot of it.- Riolu explained to Echo. He was nervous. What ever it was, it scared him. -That's what those bad men felt like, but not as intense.-

That made Echo's mind click. That must be Team Galactic on the fairy. They need to get to the Pokecenter and get out of town fast. They could hide from them in the woods or something. "Riolu, we need to move fast. If that's Team Galactic they are right on our tail. Lets get some help at the Pokecenter and get outta here." Echo whispered quickly. Riolu nodded and turned to follow her.

The building was obvious. The orange roof is unique. Echo walked in an went straight to the front desk nurse. The center wasn't busy. There where only a few people in the building. The nurse looked up as they approached her desk.

"Hello, I'm Nurse Joy. How can I help you?" The woman behind the counter asked with a radiating smile.

"I was hurt a little while ago and so was Riolu here", Echo gestured to her blue friend who was taking in the sight of his bright orange surroundings. "I was hoping you could help me with it."

"That's what we do. Why don't you head to the door on your right. Someone will be in shortly to help you."

Echo thanked the nurse and went to the door. Opening it revealed a examination room. She went in and got up on the table. She was reminded of her wounded ribs and burnt shoulder as she hoisted herself on to the bed. With a wince she took off her sweat shirt and laid it on the pillow. The nurse would want to see the wounds. Riolu jumped up and sat next to her. As soon as he settled in he jumped up. Ready to attack. Echo grabbed him before he could move, settling him down some. The door had opened as the nurse walked in. Riolu saw her and settled down some. Echo felt Riolu was scared. He was surrounded worried about Team Galactic coming here.

"It's ok Riolu!" Echo exclaimed. "It's just the nurse."

Riolu settled back down into his spot next to Echo. She could feel his worry still, but he was more calm. Nurse Joy simply smiled and went to wash her hands.

"Ok, where do you hurt?" Joy asked Echo with her same radiating smile. Echo took of her shirt to reveal her shoulder, still burn't, and now you could see bruises around her lower rib cage, just below her bra. "Oh my. . . may I ask what happened?"

As Nurse Joy got out some bottle and cotton swabs, Echo racked her brain for an excuse. She really didn't want people to know that Team Galactic was after her. They might not help if they new. It would probably keep them out of danger. The best she could come up with was "I was hurt in a mining incident. My boss sent me here to get some proper help."

"A good thing too. We can help heal this quickly here, but, unfortunately I think this burn will leave a scar. This will sting a bit." Joy warned as she placed a cotton swab on her burn. She was right. It stung. Riolu gripped Echo's hand.

-Are you ok? I though this helped?- Riolu asked worried. Echo couldn't answer him since Nurse Joy was right there. Instead she gave a smile and hoped he got the message. Nurse Joy just continued to wipe down the wound. Then she covered it in an ointment.

"This ointment will help you heal but you need to stay here for a while. I can't help with the bruised ribs however. I'm going to give you some pain killers to help with the pain so you can do stuff on your own, though I'm sure your parents will look after you with these kinds of injuries."

Echo felt a pain in her heart, not from any outside injury. She shook it off. She noticed Riolu give her a sad look. "I really can't stay for that long, how long will this take?"

"3 to 4 hours, you can stay in this room. The cream can cause a severe allergic reaction if not carefully watched. I'll be in every so often to check on it." Nurse Joy explained.

"But I can't stay that long!" Echo exclaimed standing up and wincing in the process.

"Well you don't have a choice. The cream needs to set for you to heal. It'll make you feel better soon. Now, let's look at your Pokemon." She went to pick up Riolu who gave her a weird look and held to Echo. Not wanting to leave her side.

"It's alright Riolu, go with her and she'll make you feel better." With a cautious look, Riolu jumped off the table and followed the nurse across the room to a smaller exam table. She set Riolu and turned on a machine. The machine glowed light green and circled Riolu slowly. Riolu didn't seem to be changing visually but Echo could feel his aura get stronger. It became more vibrant and made Echo happy. She smiled at Riolu who was curiously watching the green lights move.

"There we go, all better", Nurse Joy stated as she set Riolu back on the ground. As Riolu walked back to Echo's bed, the nurse walked to the door and turned. "I'll be in ever so often to check on the ointment. Feel free to take a nap. It is almost night time."

She left before Echo could protest anymore. She frowned and pouted a bit. She couldn't risk that possible allergic reaction if she left with no one to help and Team Galactic was probably in town searching for Riolu and her. On the other hand she was tired. It might be best to rest for now and hope Team Galactic wouldn't look to hard in the Pokemon Center. Riolu jumped onto the bed and sat down with her, back leaning against the wall in the same manner as Echo was. He appeared to be tired as well. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. He was probably trying to sleep. Echo shut her eyes. Her tiredness overwhelmed her reason and she drifted of to sleep against the wall.

Echo's dream was the strangest one she had ever had. She was floating at the bottom of a river, with different colored water flowing by her. The was red, blue, green, yellow, purple. All different kinds. She was searching for one though. She had to find it. She searched and grabbed at all different types of flows but none where the right one. She started to panic and desperately tried to swim through the torrent of color to no avail. Then something grabbed her. It was a red flow. It threw her up and out of the stream.

Echo's eyes shot open. Her aura was going wild again. She could feel everything around her. It was overwhelming her mind again. Echo tried to focus on Riolu again. She curled over and focus on her friend. His aura was slow, calm and bright. Happy. Echo took some deep breaths and calmed herself down. Leaning back against the wall she realize it would take a while to get used to aura. They need to get going. She felt something bad when her aura was unfocused. It was the cold aura again. That means Team Galactic was probably here. She got up and grabbed her shirt.

"Riolu?" , Echo asked, trying to wake him. She kind of succeeded as the Pokemon opened his eyes and started to rub the sleep from them. Echo just realize that he still had the Aura Stone. It was still in his paw. As she put her shirt on and grabbed her sweatshirt, she told Riolu, "I think they are here. It's time we leave."

Riolu nodded. He must have sensed it as well since he suddenly became serious and a little nervous at the same time. He jumped off the table and went to stand next to Echo. -I'm ready when you are.-

Echo looked around really quick looking for anything useful she could take. She didn't want to steal but she needed supplies that she probably wasn't going to get. She was also hoping the cream wouldn't give her that allergic reaction. It probably hadn't been 3 to 4 hours yet. She noticed a couple potions that looked like super potions on the counter. She threw those into her bag quickly and threw it on her back.

"Lets go", Echo said as she walked to the door, Riolu on her heel. She slowly opened the door and peaked around to see the main lobby. She was right. There where three Galactic grunts in the Pokecenter. One was talking with Nurse Joy at the front desk while to stood behind him, looking around. Echo couldn't hear what was being said until the lead grunt started to yell.

"I don't give a damn about the rules! We are Team Galactic. Tell us where the girl and the Riolu are!"

Nurse Joy said something that only made the guy angrier and he signaled to the other two grunts. Suddenly they started to trash the center. They started throwing over bookcases and taring the chairs and tables and cushions apart. Echo felt horrible. This was there fault. She had to leave and get these guys out of here.

"Ok.", Echo whispered as she thought up her plan. She turned to Riolu, "We are gonna have to run out of here. That'll get there attention. We can run out of town and lose them in the woods, ok?"

-Got it- Riolu said with a hardened face. He looked ready to battle but Echo could feel his nerves. He was as scared as she was inside.

"On 3", She declared.

-What's on 3- Riolu asked, not getting it.

"Never mind", Echo waved it off. "When is say 'go' we book it for the door. Stay close."

She waited for the grunts to push over another bookcase then yelled, "GO!"

They took off to the door. As soon as they reached to door Echo heard the grunts yell.

"There they are!"

"Get them!"

Echo opened the door and start to sprint down the street. This street should take them to the edge of the forest where they would lose these guys. It was dark out. The street lights where on and the moon was up. Both lit her path so she could see easily. She had excellent vision from working in the mine for so long so she could have seen without the light. Riolu was right behind her as she heard the Galactic grunts get outside the Pokecenter a good distance away. They where yelling for her and Riolu. They really had to get away from them.

Echo was glad she took that nap. She would not have been able to keep this fast of a pace. Slowly but surely Riolu and her where pulling away from Team Galactic. With a quick glance back she could see about 5 people chasing after her. They where about 100 yards behind them. It should give her enough time to lose them in the woods as she planned. She rounded the final corner of the city to see the forest. The lush trees expand so far that she couldn't see an end. This would be the farthest she had ever been from. Echo didn't hesitate. She had wanted to leave Iron Island ever since she was alone. This was her chance.