Sorry I'm late! I had a huge writer's block on deciding how to write this. Here it is! Also, big thanks to Antex for helping me get past my hesitation about where to go with this chapter.

A Moment Without Worry

I was working on a carving due next Tuesday when a knock sounded at my door. I walked over and opened it. Thomas stood on the other side of the doorway. He smiled, "Hi! You're going on a date."

I was taken aback, "What?"

"I didn't stutter. Get changed; you're going on a date. Right now."

After a brief pause, I closed the door and locked it. I walked back towards my carving, but the lock clicked again and I turned to see Thomas opening the door again. He walked in, twirling a key on a ring casually.

"Your landlord loaned me this." That traitor! "This isn't an option; it's an intervention. You're 21 and you, to my knowledge, have no social life. That ain't healthy. I will drag you out, if I have to."

"Growlie," I whined, trying to get his attention. He looked up from where he was napping and then put his head back down.

Snorting, Thomas said, "See? Even your pet agrees with me. It's for your own good. Now, are you going to get changed, or do I have to change your clothes for you?"

He rummaged around through my closet until he pulled out a button down shirt and some slacks. He threw them at me and then turned around. I sighed, realizing that he would probably make good on his earlier statement if I didn't act.

After changing, I left food in Growlie's bowl and Thomas led me out. As we passed by the first floor, Larson took the key back from Thomas and waved cheekily from his doorway, "Have fun, Jake!"

I sighed as we walked down the street, "So, whom do I have the pleasure of seeing tonight? Anybody I know?"

"Maybe, maybe not; she's a friend of a friend of mine. You might've seen her; she works at the bookstore."

I thought back to when I bought my carpentry books and the only staff member that I saw that day was the male cashier. Then again, I haven't been back there since then. Maybe this person was hired afterwards.

"Anyway, I think you two will hit it off really well. Just be yourself. The owner of the restaurant owes me a favor, so the dinner'll be half-price."

"Er… Okay, thanks. But… why would-"

He shrugged, continuing to walk, "Call it a hunch, I guess. I've known you for almost a year, but at the same time, nobody knows anything about you; not even me. You always keep your distance; if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were always prepared to leave for somewhere else."

As we kept walking, I thought about his words. I suppose he's right. Back in the day, it was a rule of thumb to never form personal ties while staying in a town, disguised or otherwise. But… I'm in a more permanent setting now, and things are different, so… I guess it's all right, so long as I keep you-know-what under my hat.

"We're here." I looked up and recognized the restaurant. Not too high-class, but better than your average diner. I've personally never been here; usually I've been trying to save as much money as possible, so I can buy a house one day.

Then again, Thomas did go to the trouble of getting the meal half-price. What's the harm?

"Well, see ya."

I turned and said, "Aren't you going to make sure that things go well?"

He laughed, "Dates don't work like that, James. I set it up, but it's up to you on whether it'll go well or not. The reservation is under your name; have fun." He waved as he walked off in the other direction, probably to his home.

Standing alone in front of the restaurant, I took a deep breath before stepping in. I walked up to the host and said, "Uh, a table for two should be under 'James'."

He checked the list and said, "Right this way, sir."

He led me to a table and, after I sat down, asked if I wanted a drink while I waited. "Just water, if you please."

I started looking at the menu. Hmm… A lot of these items are pretty affordable, even without the half-price. Maybe I could come back here every once in a while. It would beat sandwiches and soba, that's for sure.

I decided on the chicken stir-fry and when I put down the menu, I heard, "Ah, over here, ma'am."

I looked up and saw the host leading a woman over to my table. She had black hair tied into a ponytail and her eyes were a hazel color. I was about to look at her outfit, but then I turned around. Manners, James. It's rude to stare!

I gulped nervously as I heard her move closer to the table and I picked up the menu, even though I had already chosen my meal. This was my first real date; I believe I had the right to be nervous.

After I heard her take her seat, I took a deep breath and looked up from the menu. She smiled kindly and said, "Hello."

I cleared my throat and said, "H-hello." Curse my stutter! I tried to get a hold of my tongue and said, more evenly, "I'm James; what's your name?"

She giggled, "My name's Carrie; it's nice to meet you." Her voice sounded like a calm river. I looked back down at the menu, not to actually look at it, more to hide.

Carrie picked up her own menu and started reading through the pages. Without looking up, she said, "It's okay to be nervous, James. I'm just glad to be here with you."

I did my best to keep my voice level behind the menu, "What makes you think I'm nervous?"

I heard her giggle again, "Well, for one thing, you're holding your menu upside down."

Noticing that she was right, I quickly corrected the menu and heard her continue giggling. But it was more of an endearing laugh than a mocking one. I decided to play along, "Well, excuse me, but I was trying to be a trendsetter. Haven't you heard? Upside-down is the new way to read."

I flipped the menu back upside-down and pretended that I was considering each item. I looked up and Carrie laughed before flipping her menu upside-down as well.

Later, after the waiter took our orders and brought Carrie's drink, I tried to start a conversation. "So… you work at the bookstore?"

She nodded, "It gets a little boring, but it's an easy job. What about you?"

"I work in construction, with carpentry on the side. I sort of help around the town, fixing what I can."

She smiled, "My grandpa was a carpenter; he taught me a few things. Did you apprentice under somebody?"

"Er, no. I mainly taught myself through trial and error. It probably wouldn't be very good compared to a professional piece. It's mainly a hobby. Do you have any hobbies?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "Reading."

"Oh, well then, it's a good thing you work in a bookstore."

"Pft! I wish. My boss is such a pill; he says," she deepened her voice, "'No reading on the job!' 'Buy it if you're going to read it!'"

I sighed, "Ugh, believe me, I've been there. My last boss was horrible! I'm much happier working in this town."

She waved her hand, "We've all had a bad boss at one point."

Our food arrived soon after, and we spent the rest of the evening talking. Mostly about ourselves, but it was fun. I learned that she lived mainly with her mom and her grandfather before she moved to this town two years ago. She never knew her father; he passed away when she was three. Her favorite color is purple. One of her favorite things to do is to go to the park and read a mystery book.

I told her what I could about myself. It wound up being a list of half-truths. My parents and I never saw eye-to-eye. My only real friends growing up were my Pokémon, Growlie and Carnivine. I ran away when I was 10. I saw no harm in telling her about Pokémon Tech (even though I left out the "lowest score in history" part). Then I told her that I traveled around a lot before deciding to settle down by moving to this town. The only thing that was entirely true was that another hobby of mine was collecting bottle caps.

Despite this, I still had a lot of fun on our date. After we left, I told her so. She smiled and said, "We can see each other again, you know."

That's when it clicked. I can see her again, because I don't have to go anywhere. There are no reasons for me to leave this town and now I have several reasons to stay; starting here. I don't know how it will work out, but I'm willing to try.

"May I have your number?"

She smiled teasingly, "Only if you give me yours."

Once we exchanged our phone numbers, I offered to walk her home.

Later, when I arrived home, I absentmindedly patted Growlie on the head. I ignored the carving, deciding to finish it tomorrow. Changing into my pajamas, I curled up into bed and went to sleep.

…

My eyes opened and I was surrounded by darkness. I looked around aimlessly for a moment, unsure of what I was looking for. A brief image flitted across my sight.

What was that?!

I took a look at myself for the first time since waking up. I recognized my ghostly appearance.

A vision? But what sort of vision is this? I can't see anything…

Last-

I looked around hurriedly. Last what? Who are you?! Whoever it was, they seemed to be straining to talk.

Time-… Cannot-… interfering- more powerful…

Who's more powerful?

Sensed you-… gained more power-… hole… space- last chance… Sending… YOU!

Me? What are you talking about? Last chance?

For a brief moment, a light started shining at the end and colors started pushing the darkness away. The two seemed to struggle before, at the center, a green eye shone. Now the voice seemed to speak directly to me.

He started following the bridge I built to block you. There's only one chance left; use the damage he caused to-

Glowing blue eyes opened all around and the darkness seemed to close in on the green eye.

NO! Listen! Be prepared! You won't be alone; I will use all of my power to force you through! You will be needed at this moment!

Right before the darkness closed the light, I saw a brief image of Meowth and Rio asleep and an Azurill seeming to toss and turn.

Once the light closed, the eyes turned to me and the darkness seemed to solidify into a shape in front of me. A blue eye opened on the form and it started rushing towards me.

I shot up out of bed and sat bolt upright, panting. Growlie was looking at me and he came over and nuzzled my hand. Petting him on the head, I said, "Looks like moving on will have to wait for this one last thing, Growlie…"

My friend needs my help one last time.