Okay, I AM SO SORRY. I have been so out of it, I know it's nearly been a year. Hell it could have been. But I've been going through a lot of stuff, surrounding school, anxiety issues, and other stuff including the writing of my own book. I really want to get back into the flow of things with these stories, but it's hard, I'm trying my best. I swear. I know where I want to go with them it's just getting there.

Again I'm so so sorry to anyone who gives a shit!

Chapter 9

"Ow…" Gemma groaned, sitting up as she came to an unknown amount of time after the incident with the Spitreeze. Holly was stirring a little laying down beside her, groaning just the same as parts of her body throbbed from landing on the hard floor when they came to a stop. "Hol…?"

"Ow… what hit me…?" Holly grunted, forcing herself to sit up and stretch out, body aching all over.

"The floor, I think… yep, the floor… owie…" Gemma patted the ground around her, finding her glasses that had fallen off sometime during their fall, and then getting up shakily as she looked around. "Oh man, now where are we? We got thrown through the air I have no idea where we are without anything other than trees…!"

"Calm down, Gemma, we can't have been thrown far…" Holly said, pulling herself up to her feet and looking around, stretching out her legs and clicking the joints in her arms. "I'll hop up a tree and look around; there'll be a sign of where we are somewhere. Want to come up with me to spot things?"

"Heck no!"

"Suit yourself," Holly said, jumping up suddenly and grabbing onto a branch, throwing herself up similar over several other branches to head towards the top of the tree she had chosen. Gemma watched, gulping lightly imagining being so high up, before focusing her eyes on the floor again. Holly herself soon reached the top of the tree, hanging onto the branch and looking around to try and get a gage on where they were.

"Can you see anything?"

"Yell louder dumbass I'm at the top of a tree!"

"Can you see anything?!"

"No! Just trees! I can see where we just came from I guess, it's to the south of us but god knows if that's actually south or not! For all I know we could have been thrown back to the forest on the other side of the damn city!" Holly called back down, looking around once more, "I can see the huge city, but you can see that wherever you are so that isn't any help!"

"Aw man…" Gemma sighed, stepping back a little as she heard Holly get ready to jump back down to her level. She still jumped when her friend landed strongly on the ground, still on her two feet. "How do you do that?"

"How do you shoot fire out of your hands? Duh," Holly replied, standing up straight and stretching her legs out a little bit, "Ow. Still hurts, even if I can make the landing. Anyway, now what do we do? We have no idea where to go to get back to Cocoon Path; we're pretty much stranded in the middle of the forest."

"Great. Just great. Stuck out here in the middle of a forest with god knows how many Existence agents! They're always in the forests; they got me in a forest!" Gemma said, voice becoming panicked as she began to wring her hands around her wrists, twisting her new bracelets around. Holly sighed softly, grabbing her friend's arms and pulling them apart so her hands couldn't reach the opposite wrists.

"Gemma. Stop. I know you probably have some form of PTSD or something, but for now just calm down, okay? Nathen may not be here but I am. I know he's your safety net but we'll get back to him soon enough okay?" Holly said, gripping her arms tighter and looking the shorter girl in the eye. Gemma sniffled a little, reluctantly nodding at her new friend. Holly gave her a soft smile, patting her on the shoulder and giving her a quick hug. The other girl returned the hug, taking a deep breath.

"Alright…"

"Okay then. Now, we need to decide how we're going to find him."

Gemma just nodded.

~X~X~X~

(Berrybud City)

Nathen had managed to run back to Berrybud city in less than half the time it had taken them to walk up to where they had on Cocoon Path. He wasn't quite sure who he was going to look for, or if anyone would even be able to help at all, but he wasn't going to sit by and not even try. So he headed straight for the Pokémon Centre and ran inside, right up to the front desk.

"My… my friends… a Spitreeze… attacked us and shot them through the damn sky to somewhere… in the forest…" Nathen panted out, leaning against the front desk. He wasn't tired out, not at all; that run had barely had an effect on him, his DNA made sure of that, but he could hardly let everyone see that he wasn't even slightly out of breath.

"What?" Nurse Joy turned to face him, "Wait, was it by the Spitreeze with the Amorglide up on Cocoon Path?" Nathen straightened up immediately at this, his breathless act going as he nodded quickly and spoke again.

"Yes, that one! All I know is they went somewhere off to the east, but it's all forest out that way for a long way, right? So they'll be lost… if they… y'know… didn't die from the landing or attack…" He flinched at his own words, taking a deep breath as he stood up straight. The red haired nurse raised an eyebrow at him, noticing the dropped act immediately.

"Alright, I can try and organise a search of some sort but the police have been pretty occupied around here recently, there's been a spate of kidnappings and attempting kidnappings so their attention has been on that…" The Joy continued, tapping on her keyboard and looking at the screen, "There might be some people free though… but we'd have to wait."

Nathen had become alarmed the moment that Joy had mentioned the kidnappings, even without knowing who was being taken or how he knew that it would almost certainly match the MO of Team Existence. Taking into account their encounter with the Frosleo member in the woods on only their first day travelling it seemed more than likely that Existence was behind any kidnappings in the area.

"I don't think that's going to cut it…" He said, sighing as he leant onto his arms on the desk, grunting. "God dammit this is just our luck…' he began to mutter, 'if Existence gets to them before I do and they're injured or something… I… dammit…"

Nurse Joy's interest immediately peaked, her senses naturally heightened by her Pokémon DNA and making her able to hear him. The way he was talking paired with his obvious act after his run were enough for him, and she coughed lightly to grab his attention. When the boy looked up the Nurse Joy was spinning petals around her lower arm, and looking him in the eye. That was when the colour of her hair and eyes clicked with him.

"Oh… Oh…!"

"I can't do much else than I've said already, but I take it that your two friends are like this also?" Joy asked, watching Nathen stand up straight again and rub the top of his hands through his shirt. He nodded at her question, staring at the petals as they slowly died down. "You're so young…" She sighed to herself, Nathen staying silent, unsure if that was meant to warrant a response or not.

Nathen eventually went to open his mouth to speak, but Joy beat him to it, "There's another pair here, like us. They're staying in the room out back; one of them has wings… maybe they can help? They've been sleeping most of the day, they got here late last night, but they might help if they know it's another victim…"

"If they would, I'd be grateful… one of my friends is really nervous when alone, and even though she's with my other friend we're still getting to know her so she might still be having an episode…" Nathen said, muttering a little as he rubbed his hands more. Nurse Joy reached over and grabbed his arms, stopping his tick, and looking at him.

"I'll do all I can to help, don't worry. Go take a seat, I'll go see if they're awake yet," She said, smiling gently. Nathen nodded, taking a breath to compose himself and then going to sit down in the waiting area of the centre as Joy went out back. He rested his head on his hands, taking a few more deep breaths and inwardly praying that they would agree to help him.

Out back, Nurse Joy found that Samuel was awake but Seira was still resting, her wings wrapped completely around herself so that she was hidden beneath their white feathers from the chest up, everything else simply covered by a blanket. She squirmed around in her sleep whilst Samuel looked up at Nurse Joy and tilted his head a little.

"What is it Joy?"

"Another person like us just turned up in the centre, his friends have been blown away into the forest by a Spitreeze attack. They're also the same as us, and… they are out in the woods, or I think they are. There's been many kidnappings or attempted kidnappings lately." Joy replied, resting one hand on her hip.

"And you're telling us why?"

"He needs help, but I can't contact the police they're too busy with the actual kidnappings. They're out there alone, and with them around…" She trailed off a little, clasping her hands in front of her and looking at the boy. He rubbed his head, leaning forward on his other arm. Sighing lightly, he looked to his friend and then back to Joy.

"I'll have to ask Seira, but I guess there'd be no harm in helping as long as they don't expect us to hang around if they are actually directly involved." Samuel replied, rubbing his head again and sitting up properly. "I'm not going to wake her up yet though. She needs rest."

"Alright, I'm sure he'll understand that. Come and tell me when you decide, I'll do what I can with him now." Nurse Joy said, nodding politely and stepping back out of the room silently. Samuel took a deep breath, laying on his bed again and looking over at his female friend, still wrapped up in her wings. He smiled softly.

When Joy walked back out Nathen looked up at her expectantly, whilst she smiled lightly and walked over to where he had sat himself down. She sat on a chair two spots away from him and looked him in the face.

"One of them is still sleeping, the boy – Samuel – he said that he would ask her if she wants to help. He's fine with it, from what I can tell, but he wants to make sure she is too. He doesn't want to push her to be involved if Existence really are involved in this." She said, clasping her hands on her lap. Nathen sighed softly, but nodded, leaning back in the chair and draping one arm lazily over his lap, the other raising so he could lightly rub his head.

"I guess I can understand that… I'd be sceptical too… I wouldn't make Gemma go through something she wasn't comfortable with… I just hope his friend wakes up soon, I don't know how long they'll be okay out there for…" The boy said. Joy simply gave him a nod, standing back up and lightly placing her hand on his arm before heading back to her desk to continue with her duties until the winged girl woke up.

~X~X~X~

(Forest – Unknown)

Gemma and Holly had begun to wander around aimlessly a little over a half hour ago, having given up on their initial idea of waiting it out until Nathen figured out how to them. Neither was totally sure why wandering around randomly with no aim or idea of where they were going was any better an idea, but it was something to do. Gemma was clinging to Holly's arm like a vice and Holly was doing her best to keep her calm by letting her, but both were on edge by now as they didn't know what else they could do.

"I don't like this… I swear we've seen that tree before…" Gemma muttered, fingernails starting to dig into Holly's arm. Holly sighed softly, rubbing her hand and looking at her as they continued to walk.

"All the trees look the same. It doesn't make us any less lost, but I don't think we're going in circles. We've been walking dead straight." She said, continuing to walk whilst making sure her friend kept up with her pace. Gemma only nodded at her, clinging to her tighter and looking around as they walked. "Get out a Pokémon if you want to feel safer."

"Nathen had my Poké Balls…"

"Great. Alright, c'mon. I'll carry you. You're gonna start freaking out if I keep making you walk, huh?" Holly said, prying Gemma's hand away from her arm and crouching. Gemma looked sceptical, gripping her own wrists. "I have Blaziken DNA, I'm no weakling. Get on." Pouting Gemma struggled her way up onto Holly's back, wrapping her legs around her as Holly wrapped her arms under them, the smaller girl's arms draping over Holly's shoulders. "There. Told you," Holly added as she stood up straight. Gemma stuck her tongue out at her, making her giggle.

"What if we're just walking into an eternal forest?"

Holly sighed, looking back at her and giving her a look, hoisting her up more, "Is there an eternal forest in Monoko?"

"No, but…"

"Look if you don't stop worrying about this I swear I'm going to tickle you," Holly threatened, looking at her again with a sterner look. Gemma pouted.

"You wouldn't."

"You wanna bet?"

"But…"

"Oh that is it!" Holly grinned, tickling her friend behind her knees as she held her up on her back. Gemma squealed, kicking out with her lower legs, laughing hard, "Told ya!"

"Stoooop! Holly!" Gemma squealed, giggling and kicking out more, "Stop it stop it! Too ticklish stop it!"

"Then stop being negative!"

"Fine fine fine fine fine just stop tickling!" She squealed louder, kicking out harder. Holly grinned wider, stopping her tickling and hoisting the girl up more after the tickling and squirming had caused her to slip down a bit. "You're a meanie."

"Love how I'm a meanie for it but it makes Nathen cute," Holly said, starting to walk again, keeping a tight hold on Gemma's legs. The girl went deep red, smacking Holly's shoulder.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" She squeaked, making Holly laugh at her, looking back at her, giving her a look, "What?!"

"You know what I mean."

"I do not! I take offense at that!" Gemma retorted, pouting. Holly giggled more, shifting her up higher on her back.

"You take offense at me thinking you're smart enough to know what I mean?"

"Wait, what? Uh, no, I… crap," Gemma whined, slumping. Holly grinned, shaking her head. "It is cute when Nathen does it though, he's being playful you were torturing me!"

"And the evidence mounts!"

"What evidence?!"

"Oh you are so oblivious."

~X~X~X~

(Berrybud City – Pokémon Centre)

When Seira eventually woke up she unwrapped her wings from around herself, sitting up. Yawning she stretched out, her wings reflexively pushing out as well, knocking into the walls making her wince. She looked over at Sam, who smiled back at her and sat up more, shifting forward.

"Morning swan."

"Morning… are we moving out today…?" She sat up with her legs off the bed, picking clothes up from her case under the bed. Samuel shrugged, leaning back on his hands.

"Maybe. Joy came in whilst you were still sleeping, there's someone who's friends have gone missing. Asked if we'd help, they're out in the forest and they're worried they'll get taken by… well, them, whilst out there." He said. Seira tilted her head curiously, "Somewhere up on the way to the next town. We wouldn't be going too far out of our way, I suppose. But it's up to you."

"What can we do to help…?" Seira asked, standing up and going to the en-suite bathroom to get changed, closing the door behind her leaving only just enough a crack to hear what Samuel was saying.

"Well, you can fly… and three sets of legs is better than one… Apparently the police are busy looking for other missing people, so there's no one else to help. They're not forcing us, at all, but I said I'd ask." He could hear her getting changed, marked by the noises she let out when she hit something with her wings, small grunts and other similar sounds. He heard her sigh softly also, over the sound of ruffling material, before she stepped back out fully dressed.

"So basically they want an overhead search and then a foot search?"

Samuel nodded in response, standing up and grabbing some of his things to shove in his bag, tossing Seira some of her things and then looking to her as she put them away without looking, looking back at him.

"Well… I suppose. But if it looks like it's getting dangerous, we leave? Right? Promise?" The girl said, picking up her bag. Sam smiled, nodding.

"'Course. I'm not gonna let us get involved in something dangerous." He said, smiling at her gently. Seira sighed a little again, but after a moment of silence she nodded.

"You can tell them we'll help, on the condition that if they are involved we can leave." She said, pulling her bag onto her back. Sam smiled a bit more, standing up and stretching out.

"Alright Swan, I'll go tell em. If you wanna go ahead and get food before we head out then go ahead, we'll wait." He said, heading towards the door, holding his own bag. Seira nodded, following him out of the door but taking a turning towards the cafeteria instead of the lobby where Same headed.

Sam walked straight through into the lobby, seeing the blue haired boy immediately raise his head as if hearing his light footsteps over the noise of everyone who was in the lobby, or even his thoughts. The latter really wouldn't surprise him; after all, his best friend had wings. Who knew what else these implants could give people or allow them to do?

He awkwardly raised a hand in a wave-like gesture and dodged around the people in the lobby to reach him. Stopping in front of the boy he nodded a little.

"Sam."

"Nathen," The other replied, extending a hand. Sam awkwardly shook it, visibly shocked feeling the cold metal on the back of his hand through his gloves. Nathen smiled a little, "Implant. Flat version of a Lucario's spikes, I think."

"Ah, I see. I didn't really get anything physical from mine…" Sam replied, withdrawing his hand to his bag strap as he shifted his feet. "My friend on the other hand…"

"Wings, right? Joy said." Nathen replied, "Yeah, makes sense… I've never seen something that big before but I do steer clear of hot spots of people like us just in case," He added, standing up, stretching out a little. "Think she'll be long? I… kinda don't want them out there alone for too long."

"Shouldn't be. We'll help, by the way, if you hadn't guessed. Only condition is we can get out of there if it starts to risk out own safety," Sam said. Nathen replied with a nod, clasping his hands.

"Same reason I steer clear from hotspots, I get ya. I can accept that." He was putting on a calm front now, but Samuel could see he was still nervous, his hands were repeatedly clenching and then moments later relaxing to appear calm again. Glancing back to check if his friend was coming he sighed seeing she wasn't, "So… what are you then…?"

"Typhlosion," Sam sighed, sitting down on one of the other chairs, "You're Lucario, you said?"

"And others," The other boy replied, leaning back. Sam's eyes visibly widened, not having heard of a multi-implant so far. "Yeah I get that look a lot when I mention it… They really went to town on me."

"Surely that should kill a person…"

"Apparently not. Took me longer to accept the implants apparently, they must have had me for a while, but it worked," He said, sighing softly. Of course he didn't mention the affiliation that probably saved him when any other case would have been given up on.

Sam could only nod in response to this, chewing his lip and glancing again to look for his friend, waiting for the moment of awkwardness to be broken, though he soon turned back when he couldn't see her yet again, "And your friends?"

"Embolf and Blaziken. Not so worried about the Blaziken girl, she can handle herself, implant or not, but the Embolf girl… well… yeah she's more vulnerable." Sam again could only nod and reflexively check for Seira's return. Nathen leant back and relaxed as much as he could, though his hands were gripping at the seat, not saying anything else.

Seira, wings stiff as rods, walked out about ten minutes later. Looking around for Sam she spotted him and walked straight towards him and the boy she assumed must be the one they were doing to help. Sam noticed her quickly, waving at her, her having to resist waving her wings back out of instinct. Instead she walked straight to him and stood right by his side as he got to his feet.

"This is Nathen, he's a multiple implantee… his friends are out in the forest, and he agrees we can leave if we feel too threatened. Still okay with this?" Sam asked her, touching her arm. Seira paused for a moment before nodding, linking her arm with his. "Alright, then we're ready."

Nathen was on his feet before he even finished the sentence, "Good. Let's get going."

~X~X~X~

I'll apologise again. I've had most of this chapter ready for a few months, it was just getting the motivation to finish it. It'll probably be TP next, after this, though that could be a while as I need to refresh my memory on it and I'm still needing to work on school stuff and my book.

R&R, anyone who still cares