**Note:

I do not own any of the characters/content/etc. Involving Pokemon or Pokemon Go. They belong to their respective companies.

"SPARK"

Rainer, now a vaporeon burst out through the bushes followed by a teenage Blanche. They came into the clearing that Spark had shown her - the one where his pichu had hatched. She quickly came to a halt as she entered the clearing and saw that he wasn't there. Instead, there was an older blonde male whom Blanche didn't recognize, but held a huge resemblance to Spark.

"You must be Blanche."

Blanche's icy gaze filled with surprise as the man seemed to know who she was. Rainer stood at the ready in front of Blanche, ready for a potential attack.

"I uh- yes."

"I'm Surge, Spark's uncle."

"Oh."

Blanche fell silent for a moment as she took in the information that she was just handed. She knew that Spark's uncle was the famous Lt. Surge, gym leader of Vermilion City and his father's brother. The surprise slowly faded from her face and panic slowly took its place.

"He's not here?"

"No, he's not."

Eyes shooting around the clearing confirmed that indeed her friend was not at the clearing. If he wasn't there . . . The girl's lips pursed as she tried to think where else Spark could possibly be. She needed to find him,

"Blanche-"

Quickly, Blanche tore herself away from her thoughts to look back to Spark's uncle as he addressed her.

"Do you . . . Do you think you know where he might be?"

Biting her lower lip, Blanche took another several moments to think of any possibility of where Spark could be. This was the first place she would have thought he would have gone, but since he wasn't there . . . Suddenly an idea hit her and her eyes widened slightly.

"I think I might."

[ . . .]

"SPARK"

Rushing across the playground sand, Blanche came up to Spark and kneeled in front of him, Surge not far behind.

The teenage boy sat on the playground swing, staring at the ground.

"Spark?"

Blanche reached out and touched Spark's hands. He looked up, the look in his eyes striking down to her soul. They were filled with so much hurt and sorrow. Blanche had never seen him like this - ever. He was always so cheerful, so strong and full of life and energy. Those were the traits that drew her to him. But now . . . She wasn't so sure what to do, how to comfort him.

"He's . . . He's gone . . My dad's dead."

Feeling her throat tighten a little, Blanche nodded her head slightly. She gripped onto his hands a little harder. She felt something move behind her. Looking up, she saw that Surge had come over as well to see his nephew. Hesitantly she stood, releasing Spark's hands and moving to the side for his uncle.

Surge placed a hand on one of Spark's shoulders. His expression was hard to read, but certainly full of the weight of the pain of the loss that their family had faced.

"Spark . . . I'm so sorry. "

Even Surge was having a hard time getting his words out. He done as Blanche had done, kneeling in front of his nephew.

"He was a brave man, Spark. He died in the line of duty - protecting people. He-"

Sarge looked down, unable to continue his words as they got caught in his throat. Blanche down herself looking down at the ground, her eyes burning with threatening tears as she witnessed the difficult moment between Spark and his uncle.

"How did you know I was here?"

"It was Blanche. She had the idea you might be here."

Blanche lifted her head and made eye contact with Spark, who had raised his as well to look at her.

"It's where you found me . . . When I was sad and alone and needed someone to find me."

It was the same swing that she'd been sitting on all those years ago where they had met and become friends.