Age 13, part 1

I had been training away from home for three years now. I only make the occasional visit home so my parents wouldn't worry too much. I usually visited for holidays, birthdays, and just taking breaks from training Lucario, and myself. When I came home for Christmas that year, I wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary, just having a big dinner with my family, which included my mom's side. I had no idea that this dinner would be a nightmare for everyone close to me.

I had arrived at my parent's house around four that afternoon, which was fashionably late, considering that I was supposed to arrive at three-thirty. I was greeted by my family with all sorts of things said to me.

"Why hello, Riley!"

"Look how much you've grown!"

"Put 'er there, son!"

It was hard to make out what they was saying, for most everyone had come to say hi. After they went back to their own business, I had almost forgotten to take Lucario out of his Poke'ball, which the only reason he was in there was due to the nearest center would only restore his health is if was inside one, so I let him out. A few people were surprised for a Pokemon to come out of nowhere, but didn't mind. In fact, there were a few others there too, which included my aunt Bella's Persian, Mouser, who was curled up on the floor by her rocking chair, my cousin Danny's Manectric, Sparky, and his Linoone, Stripes, were eating over in the kitchen, and my Grandfather Tyson's Mareep, all thirty of them, were grazing in our backyard. Only Danny was a trainer, but his Pokemon were tough due to him training longer then me. Two years longer to be exact.

After talking and entertaining, my mother, and grandmother called everyone into the dining room to eat. The food was laid out on the regular kitchen table, and there wasn't enough room on that table for us, so the dining table it was. There was turkey, cranberry sauce, bread, stuffing, anything you could imagine for Christmas dinner. Everything was laid like a buffet, so I got in line and helped myself while Lucario and the other Pokemon got their own food, which was in the den. After several minutes, everyone got to sit down with a plate in front of them. My dad said a prayer of thanks, and everyone dug in. Almost everyone had manners, so ALMOST no food flung.

"Sorry..."

That was my younger cousin, Sid.

After dinner was through, and everyone was stuffed, there was more talking before going to bed. I got ready, won't bore you with the details, and got under the covers of my own bed, Lucario was at the foot of it.

"G'night buddy," I whispered. Lucario turned towards me, and didn't say anything. I cocked my head.

"You sure have been quiet tonight. You okay?"

He nodded.

"Yeah, I just... I feel like you, well, abandon me whenever we come here."

"Oh, Lucario. You don't mean that!"

He remained silent.

"Oh, you do. I don't mean for you to feel like that. I just don't get to see my family too often, you know?"

He nodded.

"Well, good night."

"Yeah, night." Lucario turned around again. I sighed. I didn't want for Lucario to feel that way.

"I know, I'll show everyone what we can do! Then he won't feel so bad!"

With that idea, I fell asleep.

The next morning, I awoke, and said,

"good morning Lu..."

I stopped dead in my tracks. Lucario wasn't there. I checked the clock. It read 5:30. Lucario is never up this early...

I jumped out of bed, and tip-toed out of my room through the house.

"Lucarioooo... Lucarioooo..." I whispered, hoping he was in the kitchen or something.

He wasn't. In fact, he wasn't in the house.

Fearful, I ran outside, and searched for him.

"Lucario..." I said just above a whisper. He was gone.

I franticly ran around town, hoping to find him. He wasn't outside. But then I realized, he had wanted every time we came to see Mawile, but we never stayed long enough for him to see her. Maybe he was with her!

I quickly sprinted over to the gym house, which was hidden behind every gym. I grabbed the door handle.

Locked.

It was then that I realized that it was rude to just barge into someone's house anyway, so I knocked. Luckily for me, it was Roark who answered.

"Riley?" he rubbed his eyes. "What're you doing here? And without pants..."

I looked down and felt my face go red.

"Never mind that! Have you seen Lucario?"

"No, why?"

"He's gone!"

Roark looked at me kinda funny. I sighed.

"Sorry. I know I'm wasting your time. Go back to bed. I'll find him."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, goodnight."

"Goodnight. Oh, and merry Christmas."

I smiled.

"You too."

With that, I slowly walked away from the small house, hoping I didn't miss Lucario in the bathroom back home. I turned the corner when someone suddenly covered my mouth with their hand! I tried calling for help, but my voice was muffled. There was only one thing to do in this situation.

"Aaahhh! Yuck!"

I licked their hand.

"Lucario! Help!"

That was all I could shout before person, who was a woman by the sound of the scream, grabbed me on the mouth and back, and lifted me up, which I'm sure wasn't hard because I don't weigh very much. She took me and threw me into the back of a van. After she did, I felt something hit me hard in the back of my head. I saw stars, and remembered nothing more...

Heh heh, I got Riley kidnapped again... I figured that this chapter was pretty long already, so I'm making it into two chapters insted. Now ya'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out what happened to them! Mua ha ha! Oh, and by the way, Byron did hear him shout, but made it out when Riley was knocked unconsious. Also, thanks again aganstshiper for reviewing! And thanks to my readers! Nearly two hundred hits for this story alone! Ya'll rock! :)
Sheimi