---Aiden, Day... Who cares?

I suppose you all think that I've overreacted. I should get over it. But you don't know me. You only go on what you've been told. Well, I'm Aiden. At least, that's what Hannah called me, and that's all I've known, so call me that.

Is it hard to think that someone could actually cope well with being transferred into human? Before, their ways, their traditions, were such a mystery to me, now they're all clear and I've had my dreams come true. I can understand them. I am one of them.

Willow was completely against this, and I think that will be her downfall. She resists it but that just means that when she discovers even the tiniest detail of a memory fading, she panics and loses the whole memory altogether. I could warn her, but I was in no state to help anyone at the moment.

***

I was annoyed, more hellishly furious, with her. And partly with me. I had found the perfect way to link my Pokémon side with my human side and, surprise surprise, there had been a clause. How had I not seen that coming? And now, with the consequences already taking their toll, I took this all out on her. She didn't deserve all of it, but.... she could have told me. Before I let my hopes up.

Today was not an exception to my hatred. It had faded, only slightly, from when it had first ignited. I could stand to talk to her, but as soon as she looked at me... all the reasons why I should detest her were there. And although I knew I should get over it, my feelings were too strong; I couldn't turn them around on their decision.

She had already tried to make conversation with me, but I had been sharp in my words and kept them short so she had soon given up. My minds reaction was to run after her and apologize but my heart had kept me grounded, my face a permanent scowl. It had been hurt.

Being a Sunday, soon we would able to get to Mossdeep, tell Hannah's family then go home. Who knows what I'd do then... My memories were weaker, they had faded considerably since I had last checked them but the memories had no longer bare looking at. Rarely now, in the mornings, I had 'blind moments'. They didn't last too long but it was still scary to wake up not knowing where you are, who you're with, who you are. This had lead me to becoming the master of the mental trail of 'breadcrumbs' but I was frightened by the fact that I may forget that fact too. So many things appeared to be slipping from my control.

I walked along the cliffs, like I had done the day before, Flint following on my heels. He often ran between Willow and I during the day, even if he didn't know where one of us was, he set out to find us. He often 'asked' why we were not speaking, but I couldn't exactly explain the whole situation. That was enough for me, let alone an unknowing Pokémon. Still, he persisted asking and I soon took to ignoring him. It was easier.

But today, there was obviously a contest on in the city, there were so many more trainers practising on the beaches and in the wild areas nearby. This distracted Flint as they were good, but as this was the big leagues, what could you expect? One trainer, in particular, was training their glaceon, using ice beam and icy wind at the same time. The glaceon was trying, but not succeeding, completing only one attack. Their trainer however, a young lad, I'd say about 17, was patient. He ran a hand through his rather long black hair and seemed to be thinking of how else to win the competition. It was obviously a beauty contest. Fire type moves had the edge there too.

Feeling my gaze, the trainer turned around to spot Flint and I on the mountain edge overlooking them. He didn't seem annoyed, but placing a hand to block out the light (of which there was more than usual today) he called out to me. I was surprised, but quickly called back.

'Hi?'

'You come down here. Beat the brilliant Lyle and Belle here!'

It wasn't exactly a friendly invitation but his words sounded arrogant. Still, a challenge was a challenge, and I walked with confidence down to the beach below, Flint, cautious, behind me.

'You're glaceon's good.'

A quick compliment to ease any tension, I mean I had just been watching them before, they may have thought we were competition spying to find out their tips.

'Thanks, we've been working loads but I think we just need a few battles. What's your name?'

'Oh, right. I'm Aiden and this is Flint. We're not co-ordinators, just... wanderers.'

'Ah, good to meet you Aiden. Tell me, do you think you can beat my Belle with your Flint?'

He turned to me and smiled eagerly, the message well received. I looked to Flint and he nodded, already snorting smoke of his nostrils. I was geared up, ready to beat 'his Belle' quickly with the type advantage.

'Okay, let's go! Belle, ice beam!'

An ice attack, they must have some water type attacks too? Still, a win's a win.

'Flint, flamethrow-'

'STOP!'

We both looked up, I spotting Willow first, watching us from where I had stood only moments ago. My moods changed from surprise to disgust faster than I could think possible. I was eager to continue the battle but Willow was soon down at the 'battlefield' and looked at me with widened eyes.

'You can't battle that Pokémon!'

'Why not? You battled that electrike! And Flint's our Pokémon!'

'Yeah, but that was different. It wasn't as if it was a vulpix.'

She looked at me hard, defying me to ignore the clear signal she was sending to me. She felt like kin to that Pokémon. Looking back to Belle, I could see it wanted desperately to fight. Willow watched it like a concerned parent but I ignored her pleas.

'Flint, flamethrower!'

Flint acted quickly and it hit the glaceon straight on, causing it to fly back and hit the ground hard.

'NO!'

'Hey! Unfair! Okay now Belle, let's get out revenge! Water pulse!'

Willow's face was a mix of anger, pain and pity for the glaceon but I was too engrossed in the battle to care. Now that the water type was coming out, Flint and I had to be in our top form and concentrating.

'DODGE Flint! Good, sandstorm!'

I didn't know if Flint knew all these attacks, but he seemed to have a higher knowledge of these moves and soon was digging himself into the sand, before Belle could call another water pulse.

'A ground move? We have a water type move you know?'

Lyle seemed to have taken the bait. I stifled my smirk, give away the plan too soon and I could be risking the match.

'Belle! Fill the numel's tunnel with water pulse! Hurry!'

The glaceon flit from side to side in a blue blur before it was at the entrance to the tunnel.

'Now, Flint, Sandstorm and finish the attack!'

Stopping the water pulse's process in its tracks, the sand around the arena wildly whipped into the air, aiming itself deliberately at Belle. She was buffeted by the storm while Flint burst from the ground, straight at her. She fell, but was soon up on our feet again. I couldn't do that combo again now, they would see it coming. I felt a tug at my arm, like someone was trying to pull me away and I saw Willow, struggling with genuine tears in her eyes.

'Please.'

She choked out that one word, with enough emotion to make me think clearly for a moment, but I could finish this. I could win.

My mind soon fogged over with the thrill I was getting from this battle. I pulled my arm away from her grasp, leaving her gazing at me. I knew she had a hatred for battles, but... she had to get used to it. She had done it before; I was just evening the score.

'Focus energy, Flint!'

I was counting on Belle needing some time to recuperate but she seemed ready, she was obviously well trained.

'Belle, water pulse! Then quick attack!'

This hit Flint head on, causing him to soar to the other side of the arena. He struggled to his feet and seemed strong but I knew he was in a weaker state than the glaceon. I needed something powerful, but something that could keep him away from her attack range.

'Flint, try magnitude!'

Immediately, the ground shook, stronger than it had with the electrike. This caused Belle, along with Lyle, to fall to their feat, bouncing painfully into the ground. Leaving the Pokémon as an open target.

'Now, return!'

This was my risk. I didn't know whether he could like us so much in such a short time to make this attack strong, but he ran and hit the glaceon with such strength that she flew in the air and landed on the ground, half burying herself in the soft sand. It was over.

Lyle got to his feet and recalled his Pokémon, a smile still strong across his face.

'Well, I guess we have more work to do. That was a good battle anyway, thanks Aiden. Thanks Flint.'

I smiled, offering my hand to shake his. He accepted the offer and we ended the match in a 'good sportsmanship' kind of way. I beamed at Willow but she was sitting in the sand, poking her finger in the sand, listlessly making shapes. I knelt down to her level.

'Look, okay? I'm sorry. But they're not dead. Let's just call it even? I'm no longer mad at you. I forgive you.'

She looked at me with a look of hurt, but a weak smile soon appeared on her lips, this was as good as she was going to get from me in a proper apology.

'You gonna talk to me properly again?'

My smile widened, helping her up from the sand. I turned to Flint and found that a white light engulfed him. He was a silhouette of light. He was evolving.

The shape changed from the familiar one of Flint to one that was huge, the white expanding and morphing, until it was something at least five times the size of our Flint. He was now a Camerupt. Well at least now, he could give us lifts on his back. But when he goes to public places, he would have to be kept in his poke ball. That would please Willow.

He was pretty happy with the arrangement however, he cried out, his voice now a deep, rumbling, bass that shook the floor almost as much as magnitude. Willow was in awe too, patting his fiery red coat with her hand, which was tiny in comparison, and with no words to say, smiled.

At least now I had found a decent link to my Pokémon side again. There didn't appear to be any obvious flaws, but I was sure they were to come. They would all come sooner or later.

---

Well, thanks for the feedback. To be honest, I have grown a liking for these characters, it's just that I don't want to write it for just me; I want others to enjoy it! I already have a big twist ready; I can't give up now ;)

MoonLynx