Reunion of the separated:

Many days past. Hiro-sensei, still hot from the prank pulled on him, had been a drill sergeant on the apprentices. Keiko's arms constant felt like they would fall off, however her legs had been too numb to tell how they did.

Still, they journeyed on with whatever will smoldered in them.

It was a hot day. Too hot. Keiko could feel the skin under her pelt choking on the sun and sweat over top it. And activated air loomed over-head, too, keeping all to a silent pace. Suddenly, the quiet was broken.

"How about we stop for a bit." Mewtwo-sensei suggested, sending a side-glance to Keiko's direction, "I think the apprentices could do a rest in the shade."
Hiro shot aggravated eyes at Mewtwo, however his words did not match his face, "Fine, I guess that's a good idea..." He stood up, taller since he was slouching, "Ok, everyone, you can take a break," He pointed to some bushes with a few faraway trees behind them, "I think there's a clearing we can enter there."

Sure enough, the Gallade actually made a good call. Each of the Pokemon entered the shaded clearing, slowly, sighing once their pelts, feathers, and skin were guarded from the bright sunlight.

Keiko and Roserade took shelter under a large oak tree, where some Spinarak crawled down to greet the girls. Laughing a relieved breath, the Riolu and Roserade sunk down onto the soft grass, letting their bodies cool down from the weather.

The males, on the other hand, hand taken their own spots on either side of the clearing. Respectively, Yoru leaned against a tree close to Roserade, Roga sitting in an equally distanced branch. Unlike Yoru, Roga watched the two girls as if he wanted to hang out with then, not the protective glances Yoru gave.

A sudden, but silent, rustle from the behind bushes made the Weavile jump a little. He turned his eyes quickly to the dark, hidden forest area. A quick flash of khaki brown, white, and red lashed an attack on the Dark Pokemon.

Claws and growls rumbled in the fight with Yoru. Roga, taken aback by the quick attacks, jumped into the group as well. The new enemies were almost invisible, but Keiko knew who they were. A gasp passed her mouth.

"Zangoose-kun! Linoone!" she exclaimed. At her call, the battling brutes paused and stared at the small apprentice. "Kun?" Roga muttered under his breath, looking to the white creature.

Keiko had never felt so happy in weeks. She jumped up immediately and ran to hug the two newcomers. "Keiko!" said the khaki one, "Keiko-kun!" called the Zangoose. The three held a group hug for about a moment's time, only to be broken by a voice.

"So, you know Keiko?" the recognizable sound of Mewtwo-sensei made them all turn. The young Riolu jumped excitedly, "Yes, Sensei!" she motioned to the Pokemon beside her, "These are some of my best friends from the forest: Zangoose-kun and Linoone."

The white, furry Pokemon bowed respectively to Mewtwo. "It is an honor to met you, sensei. A teacher of Keiko-kun's is a friend of ours." "Yes!" pipped the Linoone next to him, "Keiko's been with us since the start of...her life, I guess." He smiled, sounding unsure of his words.

Almost to afraid to ask, the Riolu smiled on and inquired, "Zangoose-kun, Linoone! Have you heard from Lopunny?" The mentioning of the bunny-like Pokemon's name made both the newcomers freeze. "L-lopunny-kun?..." stuttered Zangoose. Linoone immediately looked down, his eyes closed as if to hold in sadness.

Keiko's mind suddenly slowed. Was she... Her lip quivered and her head lowered. She closed her eyes, clenched her teeth and fists as tears fell to the ground. "I-...we're sorry, Keiko-kun...." Zangoose sighed.

Keiko felt numb. Her friend, her best friend, her mother-figure.....gone....'She's really dead....' the young Riolu thought, 'Lopunny....no....it's my fault....she's gone....'

Suddenly, a soft paw is placed on the Riolu's shoulder. Startled, Keiko looked up to see a comforting look given by the Lucario, Roga. He looked down on her with eyes that shined in sympathy, as if he'd been through something like this before. "Don't blame yourself." His soft voice resounded inside Keiko. How'd he know what she was thinking?

Blinking up at him, the Riolu sniffled and sighed, to far into sorrow to think much any more. The Lucario bent down on his knees to Keiko's height, still holding a paw on her shoulder. Then, the Pokemon took his friend in an embrace, his eyes closed and a mixed smile on his face. Keiko, still crying, took the embrace, more tears rolling down her face with the darkness of loss in their shine.