Meeting Your Path:

Minutes felt like hours more and more as Keiko, Mewtwo, Roga, and Hiro passed the living forest to the Caravan's Campsite. As time continued, young Keiko began to get a little impatient with all the walking.

"How much more longer?" She whispered to Roga, who was walking at her pace to the Riolu's right. The Lucario continued to look ahead, as if Keiko wasn't even there.

"Roga!" She said more harshly. Roga jumped a little and looked down at the waiting apprentice. "Uhh..Right.." He replied, "I'm not sure how much longer it will be. I don't think I went too far from Camp..."

"Too far?" Keiko inquired.

Roga sighed a reply, knowing he'd have to explain what he meant, and it sounded like it would be a story.

"I was peacefully talking to the team at our stop. All seemed normal, but then..." He paused, pressing his left paw to the bridge of his muzzle, "Somehow, my eyes uncontrollably closed and I was sent through a rushing path of the forest, like I were moving at the speed of light. After what could have been 5 seconds or 5 hours, A strange energy in the form of a Pokemon appeared before me, walking normally, and then suddenly pausing." He sighed in an angry tone, "Something opened my eyes and sent me flying down that same road I saw. And soon," He smiled to Keiko "I met up with you."

"And the barrel rolls from there?" Keiko asked. Roga nodded an agreement.

A sudden noise perked the Riolu's ears. It sounded like there were Pokemon near, exotic ones. Their voices whispered in Keiko's head, just barely there. A sudden break in the green wood let Keiko realize they must be where the camp was laid.

It was a simple place. A pile of burnt wood and ashes at the center made Keiko shiver. Pokemon of many kinds scattered about, two chatting by the dead fire, one working on a move it, looked like, by a pond barely in sight, one kneeling on the ground fiddling with some rope-like vines, and another leaning against a tree, watching over the one with the rope.

As the young Riolu feel in place next to her stopped mentor, the Hiro turned to them. "Keiko, Mewtwo." The Gallade announced, "I welcome you both into our troupe."

"We ain't your warriors, Hiro." One of the chatting Pokemon growled, their voice scratchy and cat-like, "Can't you call us 'family' for once again?"

Hiro ignored the annoyed being and spaced room to let everyone into the site. "I'll start introductions, then!" He happily pipped. He pointed to the one with the cat voice and their chatting companion. "Those two are-"

"Staraptor and Luxray." The other announced, "You don't have to treat us like we're mute, Hiro. You aren't the boss you know." She turned to Keiko, "I'm sorry you have to deal with this power-hungry guy, hon. If you need some one to talk to, come find us for a woman's advice." The bird Pokemon winked, leaving Keiko to wonder how hard it would be to deal with this torn group.

Angered, Hiro glared to the Pokemon at the tree and with the rope. "Those two are Yoru, a Weavile, and Roserade. They are your fellow apprentices."

"Good to meet you," Mewtwo smiled at them, "I'm surprised Hiro here could train 3 powerful-looking apprenticed. Looking up from her work, Roserade nervously smiled, "Uhm, Thank you Mewtwo-sensei. Hiro-sensei has told us so much about you!" Her voice reminded Keiko of flowers, typical for the Pokemon's appearance. The one called Yoru just nodded in agreement, not smiling, not speaking. This mystery of a being made Keiko's gaze stick.

"Hey! Swampert!" Hiro called, making the Riolu jump from her wonder, "Come and meet our newest members!" The large Pokemon by the lake continued to swoop in his practice, but the voice of Hiro made him turn, a wave of water following it. The attack flew to the scene and water filled the campsite. Keiko was swept off her feet and she felt as if she would be carried away. A sudden tug on her wrist made Keiko look up from the water to see Roga holding on to her, easily withstanding the sudden rush.

A shriek of anger as the water went down caused Keiko to jump. "Swampert! You should know better than to attack us like that, you idiot!" the blast came from none other than a wet Luxray.

"I'm sorry! I didn't realize I was still attacking!" apologized Swampert. He turned to a shivering Keiko and somewhat annoyed Mewtwo, "I'm really sorry, guys! Especially you, small one!" he said to Keiko, "I saw the water almost take you away into the forest! I'm so sorry!"

Swampert's description of her almost kidnapping by water made Keiko flush in embarrassment. He just had to say it all.

A while later, when things were settled and the day drew to it's end, the flames of some wood that was dry leaped into the air at the camp's center. Trying to avoid looking at the fire, Keiko examined her new friends carefully. After the water incident, everyone became acquainted to each other more than they had before.

After her scanning, once again, her eyes met to Yoru. He still hadn't spoken all day, making Keiko's mind tell her he was mute. Would he speak?

"Alright." Hiro said as he joined the fire circle. He turned to Mewtwo, "Have you told Keiko of one of her reasons?" he inquired.

'Great.' she thought sarcastically, 'More things about me!'

Mewtwo replied with a shake of his head, "I have not. You may tell the story if you wish, Hiro."

Hiro sighed and sat to the ground. "Well, a story it is." His eyes glinted by the fire as he muttered, "Let's begin."