[Author's note-If you're wondering how Ethan got Bolt and Rai back, please re-read the last chapter as the last few pages were added on to explain how.]

If anything reminded him of Castelia City, it had to be Goldenrod but compared to Goldenrod, Castelia was enormous. He thought Goldenrod had some tall buildings like the store or the radio tower but they were puny compared to the buildings here. He stood on the edge of the sidewalk and stared up at the buildings, jaw open. "Wow, this place is awesome! Goldenrod or Sapphire have nothing on this place!"

He inched a bit closer and felt Maple yank him back, just as a car sped past, honking at him. He looked back at her and grinned. "Please don't do that again. I'd hate to have to explain to Homika that I let you get plastered by a car."

"I'm pretty tough, I could have lived."

Pitch let out a chirp and he shot him a glare. "So that aside, where is this concert taking place?"

"Well…" he said before drifting off as he looked up at a lamppost, which had a large flier for her concert. In fact almost every lamppost, wall or building seemed to have an advertisement for it. It seemed half the people walking past them seemed to be talking about it and it began to hit him just how big of a star she was. "I know she's popular but, wow."

"It really is crazy. We don't have anyone like that in Johto. No one near as popular as her. I wonder what it's like to be so popular, it must be pretty tough."

He chuckled. "From what she's told me, it is. I couldn't do it, forget that! I'm happy where I'm at."

A couple of rabid Homika supporters walked by and he turned his cap around and tugged the bill on it a bit over his eyes. Maple looked over at him. "Why are you doing that? What are you afraid about?"

"Backlash."

"Backlash? What backlash?"

"If people find out me and Homika aren't together and she goes back to being crazy again or if she just gets into a real sour mood, guess who gets the blame?"

Maple laughed. "Do you really think people would act like that?"

"I can't be sure but never hurts to be careful, right?"

She shook her head. "Sometimes I think you worry more than I do. Please stop it. Even if everyone in the world turns against you, because you broke her heart, I'll still be here with you. Besides, didn't she dump you?"

He laughed. "Yea but what do you think everyone is going to assume?"

"Stop it. Or I'll hit you. Or rather, I'll poke you in the side again."

"It looks like that concert is all the way across town. Pitch is just a bit too small to be taking us so I guess we'll need a ride there."

"The bus system here is great. It shouldn't be too hard for us to get a ride there."

He looked over at her. "Really?"

She winked at him. "Of course. I've been here a few times and used it. You can get almost anywhere in the city with them and getting to where the concert will be."

He laughed. "We may have some trouble though. The buses might be packed with people trying to get there."

She held out a Pokeball and he and Pitch exchanged a look. "Maybe not."

"I don't get it."

She tapped it against her chin. "I'm sure with Rusty's help, we could get some room on the bus."

Pitch let out a surprised chirp but he could only smile and laugh. "You devious little—I don't think that will work but it'd be hilarious if it did. I just can't see you threatening anyone with Rusty."

She put it away. "I know. I wouldn't either but sometimes…ahh forget it. What time is the concert?"

"Not for another few hours. We got some time to get there. Even if the buses are full."

"We could get there a little early and you could try talking to Homika…if you wanted."

Pitch let out an annoyed chirp and he smiled at him. "She did break up with me. So, I guess it's on her if she wants to talk to me again."

"You seem to be taking it pretty well."

He let out a sigh. "Well…you know, maybe it just hasn't sunk in just yet. I'm not sure if she was just angry or if she really meant it."

"And if she meant it, that's her loss."

"Well—"

"I mean it. You don't have to put up with her surly attitude. If she can't be bothered to treat you any better, forget her."

"Yea but…oww!" He said as Pitch pecked him. It wasn't a real hard peck but it did leave him a little sore. "What was that for?"

"He wants you to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Besides if she wants to reject you, let her. There are plenty of other people who will treat you better, you know?"

He folded his arms. "Hmm, I suppose you're right. I'll try not to think about it."

"Good. Besides if she doesn't think you're worthwhile, I…know Team Rocket—"

"What are you babbling about? You aren't making any sense now."

She looked away and didn't answer him. He shook his head and looked over at Pitch. "Maybe Mika is right and I need more male friends," he said in a low tone. Pitch let out an amused chirp. He looked off to the side and noticed a man walking through the crowd, dressed in a large beige overcoat. It seemed a bit odd considering how warm it was out that day but it seemed there were other people who were sporting jackets or what not. Maybe it was just a style people were into here. Suddenly a breeze blew by and the guy's jacket opened up just a bit and he noticed him wearing a Team Rocket shirt underneath.

The guy looked up and noticed Ethan staring straight at him. He suddenly turned and began walking the other way. "Hey, get back here!" He said and the guy began to run. Ethan didn't even wait up for poor Maple and took off after the guy. How careless could someone be? Why did it seem everyone but the higher ups in Team Rocket were so careless? The guy darted into the street, weaving through cars but he was forced to stop at the crosswalk. Pitch flew on ahead while he sat, waiting for the signal to cross. It felt like it took hours until he got the walk sign and he rushed across.

Up ahead he could see Pitch flying up ahead, probably right behind the guy. Up ahead he could see the guy dart into the alley but Pitch sat at the entrance of the alley and waited for Ethan to catch up. By the time he did, he saw the guy at the end of the alley, trying to scale a tall metal link fence. He looked up at Pitch and flashed him a thumbs up. "Good job Pitch!"

He walked toward the guy, hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. "Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"Huh?" The man said, sounding a bit surprised he had been found. Surprised enough that he lost his grip and fell to the ground. He got to his feet and stared at him. "You…how did you catch up to me? I thought I lost you!"

Ethan motioned to Pitch. "He's a Rufflet, they got sharp eyes you know. You didn't even know he was following you all this time!"

The man spat on the ground. "Ugh, I recognize you. You're that stupid trainer Giovanni is so obsessed with."

"There's a real good reason why he's obsessed with me but that's a talk for another time. What I want to know is what are you guys up to here!"

He took out another Pokeball and summoned Sam, who roared at the guy. The guy shook his head and looked at Ethan. "Am I supposed to be scared by that? He's a baby dragon."

"A baby dragon whose bite is worse than his bark. And if that's not enough, I have a Litwick who loves nothing more than draining the life out of people…"

The man slammed his fist against the fence. "What do you want?"

"Just tell me what you guys are up to! I know you're trying to crash the concert and debut Giovanni's super Pokemon—"

"Wait, how did you know that?"

Ethan smiled. "So it's true then! I'm glad to know Maple's information was correct! Man you guys need better security or something."

"Whatever you shrimp! I'm going to beat you and haul your hide back to Giovanni. I'm sure he'll be overwhelmed to see you. And I get the—"

"I've got a better idea. In fact, I'm glad I caught one of you guys. I need you to deliver a message for me."

The man shook his head. "I don't owe you anything!" He said as he took out a Pokeball. Before he could use it, Sam let loose with a small fireball that hit the guy right in the hand. He cried out in pain and dropped the Pokeball, which rolled over close to Sam. Sam smacked it with his tail and it rolled over to Ethan, who picked it up. The guy held his hand in pain and glared at Ethan. "Why you—"

"I told you not to try it. Now will you listen to my demand now?"

"What if I don't? You really aren't going to seriously hurt me."

He was right about that but he could sure pretend. "Considering you guys are trying to unleash a super Pokemon on a huge amount of people, anything that happens to you is nothing. I won't stand for you guys hurting all these people!"

"Heh."

Ethan smiled. "Yea, I guess it was a weak threat but hey at least you can let Giovanni I know about his super Pokemon."

"Oh yea?"

Ethan took out the paper. "I know that it's part water, dragon and steel. I even know what it looks like and some of its abilities. Sure you got a super Pokemon but we already know what to expect so we can be better prepared for it."

The man looked genuinely shocked, his eyes as wide as saucers. "Wait, that paper…how did you…where did you—"

"I have my ways. Just let Giovanni know that we know about what he plans to do here and he better rethink his plans."

The guy got to his feet and ran past Ethan, who didn't even bother to stop him. He heard a second set of footsteps and turned to see Maple hurry up. She bent over and gasped for air. "Ethan, why did you run off like that? I was worried!"

"Caught a member of Team Rocket. Me and Pitch chased him into this alley and I sent him off with a warning for Giovanni."

She looked up at him with a pained expression. "A warning? A threat?"

He smiled and put his hand on her shoulder. "Well sort of like a threat. I let him know that we're on to Giovanni's plans and that we even know what type of Pokemon he has and some of his abilities."

"Why would you do that."?

"Buy us some more time. I don't think we'd be ready to take them on here even if what Homika said was true. About there being multiple gym leaders here for the concert and what not. I think with some more time, we could be better prepared for his super Pokemon."

"I…that might work. It all depends on if he calls your bluff or not."

"I hope so. I'm not sure I want to confront his super Pokemon just yet. Even if my Pokemon would want to."

"So…now we wait?"

"Yep."

She stood up and nodded. "Ethan, I was thinking about it some while I was looking around for you and I think that…I should go talk with Homika."

He, Pitch and Sam shared a look. "You, talk with her? But why?"

"I think I just need to. After the concert, as long as Team Rocket doesn't attack, then I'll track her down and talk with her."

Pitch let out a chirp, echoing his thoughts that nothing good might come out of this. "Well…I don't know. Considering what she thinks about you and I can't even say the words she would use to describe you. And you aren't exactly the biggest fan of her either."

"I know and I know I'm not a big fan of hers. Considering what you've told me about how she treats you, I sort of dislike her…"

"Sort of?"

"Okay I don't like her at all but that's why I need to talk to her. Iron some things out…I guess."

Pitch let out another doubtful chirp and she smiled. "I don't know. She might end up hating you even more and I can't have that."

"If she still wants nothing to do with you, even after I have a word with her, don't you worry about it. I still have your back even if the princess of rock and roll rejects you. I hope…that counts."

"Of course it does! Why would you even ask that? If it came to having to choose between a relationship with Homika or my friendship with you, I know which way I'm going."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

The concert took place not in a stadium or arena like had expected but the large park in the middle of town known as Central Plaza. All of the roads had been sectioned off and traffic diverted but thankfully it wasn't during rush hour or else things would have really been hairy. There weren't any chairs for anyone and people just sat anywhere. Many of the nearby buildings were filled with screaming fans, so great the screams that it shook the area each time they chanted for her. They had chosen a tree to sit in but even sitting above everyone, it still felt as if they were packed in like a can of sardines. "Now I know how it is for Magikarp to be stuck in a swarm."

"It is a little tight."

"Well she wanted to be the biggest concert ever. I guess holding it here is pretty big. Man if I were she, have it in Nimbasa. I hear that's better suited for stuff like this."

Maple laughed. "It is, I've been there. They have so much stuff there like sports arenas, stadiums and even an amusement park. Castelia is where all the business is and Nimbasa is entertainment galore."

"Maybe she's trying to stir up all the stuff businessmen here! They probably live joyless lives, don't you think?"

"I think you're right! I bet they all listen to super boring music too. Like classical or opera—"

"Tell me about it. Have you actually been in those elevators? They have the worst music ever. Imagine being subjected to that all day?"

Before she could answer, the chants grew louder and louder. He looked up and saw her walk out onto the stage with her guitar. He couldn't tell if she looked excited, nervous or even mad. She had been really looking forward to it so he imagined she had to be pretty jazzed about it. "Huh, that's odd."

"What's odd?"

Maple tapped her chin. "She doesn't look all that happy. For someone who is doing the biggest and most exciting concert Unova has ever seen, she sure isn't showing it."

"Nerves."

"Maybe," Maple said.

Homika grabbed the mike and yelled into it. "Castelia, do you know what time it is?"

The crowd roared it's approval but it must have not been enough for her. Then again, he was used to this scene by now. She egged them on and on, the crowd growing louder and louder each time. Soon they were forced to cover their ears because it had grown so loud. "Man, maybe she chose it here because the sound carries so well here?"

"That's more like it! You better get ready because it's time to rock!" She screamed into the mike. She soon began to start strumming on her guitar and he looked over to Maple, who held the program in hand.

"So I'm not familiar with this song at all, what is it?"

"Umm, I believe it's called Koffing. Is that really what the name of the song is?"

He laughed. "Well she is a Poison gym leader and she has a Koffing…you see where I'm getting at, right?"

She gave him a fat lip. "People need to write a song about steel Pokemon. Is that too hard to ask?"

"Well me and Wiggler once wrote a song about that. It started off steel, steel baby. Steel steel…why are you looking at me like that?" He asked as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"I'm not sure whether I should laugh or cry."

"Both?"

She laughed. "Don't make me shove you out of this tree!"

She looked down at the program again and turned it over. He glanced at it and noticed the back had a bunch of thanks. "Oh so that's where she thanks all the producers and band members?"

"Looks like it. That seems nice of her, to thank everyone personally and on all the programs. It just…seems odd she doesn't mention you."

"Probably still hates my guts. At least she doesn't say it on the back. I can only imagine the looks I'd get…"

"I guess…or maybe she never had any plans to mention you anyway! Don't worry about it."

The rest of the concert seemed to fly by, so fast that he found it pretty hard to remember much about it. Then again, it seemed like they spent more time talking and not paying attention to the concert. On one hand he feel a little bad but again, he was never the biggest fan of this kind of rock music. Too angry for his tastes.

"So this is the last song but…the program doesn't list it."

He laughed. "I know she was talking about writing a song. She was trying to get my help though I wasn't of much help to her since…I don't know how to write a song!"

"A song you two wrote together?"

Pitch let out an annoyed chirp. "No way! Like I said, I'm not a good songwriter. I tried to get her to listen to the rap me and Wiggler wrote but—"

"Oh Ethan, not that rap! Anything but that rap!"

He smiled. "Funny, you seemed to like it."

"I did but I thought it was only supposed to be a secret between the two of us. I don't think anyone else will get any of the references in it. They'll just think you're spouting off nonsense."

"Then it'd fit right in with all the other rap songs!" He said, causing her to laugh. He turned his attention to the song and his eyes grew wide. "Is she singing what I think she's singing about?"

"Huh, I was distracted but…"

The two of them stopped talking and listened in. It had to be the angriest song he had ever heard her sing and every single lyric seemed to be how stupid love was, how much she hated love and how she never wanted to be in love again. Pitch finally let out a chirp that echoed his thoughts. He sat back. "Either this is the greatest snarky song in all history or she's through with me."

"Well…maybe it is sarcastic. I can't believe someone would be this angry."

"It's her mo to be honest. I just thought she had grown out of that but this is the angriest I've seen her."

"But why would she be angry at you?"

"Well you know…she doesn't like you. And I was dating her. And I'm a good friend with you. And I won't stop being friends with you…I think you can connect the dots," he said as he leaned forward. He let out a sigh.

"She doesn't like the idea of me being more important as a friend?"

"I think that's it. I'm sure if you were a guy, she wouldn't mind. I guess she thinks I'd cheat on her or something."

"That's crazy!"

"That's just what I think."

"She isn't allowed to keep you all to herself. That's not fair. Besides, I'll get bored always hanging out with Erika all the time," she said as she folded her arms.

The concert ended with a huge fireworks show that went on far after she had left the stage. He didn't bother to wait for it to end, hopping down from the tree and making his way through the crowd. In the back behind the stage, he could see several trailers, including Homika's own trailer. Maple walked past him and stopped him in his tracks. "Hold on! Didn't I say I was going to talk to her?"

"Yea but—"

"No buts. I'll handle it, trust me."

He and Pitch exchanged a doubtful look but in the end, he let out a sigh. "Okay, okay. I'll let you handle. Pitch and me are…going to go hang out at the harbor. I want to check out some of the ships coming in."

She sat down on the steps to her trailer and looked down at the guitar on her lap. She reached down, stroking the strings with her fingers. "Hey Homika!"

She looked up and noticed some stupid Goobers, dressed to the nine in gear bearing her likeness or whatever. Did they even realize how stupid they looked? She just gave them a look. "What is it?"

"That was the absolute bestest concert ever! You really killed it out there. And your last song…it really spoke to me."

"Oh?" She asked even though she really didn't want to hear. He nodded.

"Yea, all that stuff about love being stupid and useless. How it makes you really dumb and stuff, I know what you're talking about! You spend so much time trying to find someone who will treat you right that you miss out on all the other stuff in life!"

"Other stuff."

"Man I hope that b****** didn't hurt you or something. It's not right that the princess of rock has to put up with that crap."

"Heh, why do you think he isn't around?"

"I don't know. I think I saw him hanging out with some girl during the concert—"

He didn't finish as she threw the guitar on the ground, breaking it into several pieces and causing the fans to jump back. "Don't even mention that b****! Just thinking about her…"

The goobers decided it was best to make a quick exit and she grabbed a bottle of rum, which sat underneath the steps. It was pretty full but in a few seconds, it wouldn't be for long. She shook her fist as she thought about Ethan hanging out with Maple. "Whatever, I'm done with him anyways. They can act like a pair of lovebirds for all I care."

Suddenly someone reached over and took it away before she could drink it. She got to her feet at once to see who would pull that stunt and of all people, it had to be her. Maple turned the bottle over and dumped it onto the ground, each passing second causing the rage to swell up in her. It wasn't enough that she had cheated with Ethan on her but now she was trying to ruin what solace she had left? "This stuff is disgusting. Why put it in your—"

"You've got a lot of guts coming back here. If you don't leave right now, I'm calling the security and having them haul you're a** out of here. I should have forbid them from letting you even into the concert. You and him!"

Maple's eyes grew wide. "But…man Ethan was right."

"I said get out of here!"

"Homika, I wanted to talk to you—yah!" She cried out as she was forced to duck as she flung part of her guitar in her direction. She grabbed her phone.

"I am going to call security and throw you out."

Maple snatched the phone away. She was really cruising for a beat down. "Would you at least listen to me?"

"What's there to listen about? I'm not here to hear you and his sappy little love story—"

"But we aren't in love! We're friends, really close friends."

"In love."

"But—"

"Like I said, you're in love with each other. And you went behind my back too. Well good, go off and be all lovey dovey with each other! See if I care."

Maple put her hands on her hips. "Well you do. Otherwise, why else would you have written that song?"

She slammed her foot on the steps. What did this stupid b**** know? She was just rubbing her victory in her face and being so smug about it! "Shows what you know."

Maple rolled her eyes and suddenly raised her voice. "Okay fine! You want to know the truth, the real truth? I do love him more than just a friend—"

"And I bet he feels the same way."

She sighed. "He does but he was happy with you! He keeps talking about you, telling me about the things you two did together and how you seemed to be mellowing—"

"And I bet he told you all the bad stuff too."

"Yes, he did. That's what close friends do! They talk with each other about stuff like that! I was honored that he was comfortable enough to talk with me about it! And if I had any love troubles, I'm sure he would hear me out. Maybe he couldn't offer any advice but he would listen."

"Close friends? What garbage are you talking about?"

"Friends!"

"Then go be friends with him and leave me alone! I'm not interested in him when you're hanging around. And since it seems like a two for one deal, I'm not interested!"

"So what if I decided to step away?"

Her eyes grew wide. "Huh, what?"

Maple shrugged. "What if I just stopped being friends with him? Just dropped out of his life?"

That would be nice, really nice but...then what? "You know what'd happened! He'd be mopey and depressed and sad that he didn't have his little friend around any more!"

"And he's a bit mopey and depressed now because of what you did—"

"What I did? What I did? What did I do?"

"You know exactly what you did! You accused him of cheating and then just broke up with him. Just like that! You didn't even let him defend himself!"

She looked away. She wanted to tell her to shove it but she sort of had a…tiny point. "Well maybe but—"

"He treated you with respect and patience and you reward his behavior by accusing him of this and that! Why were you so eager to push him away?"

She slumped to the ground as a sick feeling grew in her stomach. "Because…I hate myself sometimes. What do I have? I'm just a selfish little rock star. I got nothing. I feed off the crowd, their cheers but once the concert is over, then what? Nothing. Nothing but a cold and soulless b****. And then I look at him. He isn't insanely popular like me, he's not super talented and yet it seems like he has everything together. People don't like him because of what he does, they like him because of what he is. He's always has that dopey smile on his face like nothing seems to faze him. And I feel guilty for being around him. The queen of rock and roll doesn't feel worthy to be around a simple guy…how bad is that?"

"If you feel so guilty, why don't you treat him better?"

"Treat him better? How am I supposed to do that? I guess I know a little but…I don't know! Why are you even asking me this? Don't you know how to treat him better? Just confess how you feel to him and be done with it!"

She sighed. "You don't know how hard I want to do that."

"See?"

She looked back at her with a piercing glance. She could only look away from her. For such a nice girl, she sure could turn tough in a flash. "And he was pretty happy with you. At least when you treated him well. He told me you pushed the limits of his patience more than once."

Her heart fell at the mention of that. Great, now she felt sick and felt like someone had ripped her heart out. "Thanks, that makes me feel much better."

"It's not too late you know."

"I'm sure I've already had three strikes. Several times over. It's over, we're finished, pull the curtain, the show's over."

"That's what you keep telling yourself."

"I already told you…Maple, that I don't know how to treat him right! You do, I don't. Connect the dots. Just leave me alone! I don't want to talk about it. Don't even talk to me about him anymore!"

"But—"

"Just leave me the f*** alone! I just want to be left alone!" She yelled, having lost any motivation to throw stuff at her. She didn't deserve it anymore. Maple let out a sigh.

"Okay, fine. I'll leave you alone. I'm sorry for bothering you."

She looked down at the ground. Was she really telling the truth? How could that idiot miss her? Was he really that dumb? And then she began to catch herself. "Why am I thinking of him like an idiot…I'm the idiot. He doesn't deserve to be called anything mean."

The sick feeling in her stomach grew and she sudden turned to the side and threw up. She sat hunched over a bit before turning away, repulsed by the smell. She grabbed a towel nearby and wiped her mouth before tossing it away. "Pathetic, that's exactly what I am. I can't go back to him. I should just—"

Before she could finish, a wind blew a paper into her face. She ripped it off and was about to tear it up out of anger when she noticed it was a program with the lyrics to the last song written down on. "Love is stupid, the most stupidest emotion in the world. Who needs love? Who needs friends F*** all of them…I…" She pulled the paper further away from her face. "D-d-did I really write this? I…couldn't have…it's too crazy, too stupid…no I did write this. I wrote it all but…it is stupid! It doesn't make sense!"

She ripped it in two and then ripped it up some more. Soon it was nothing more than small shreds of paper, which she let blow away into the wind. "Maybe…she was right. I can't believe I'm saying this! Why am I going to do this?"

She jumped to her feet and stormed out from behind the stage. Workers all around were cleaning up the trash and taking down the stage. She glanced over at one of the security guards who was helping a Machoke move some open crates and hurried over. "Hey! Did you see some brown haired girl walk by?"

"Huh? Oh yea, she left a few minutes ago. I think she was headed toward Main stre—"

She didn't even let him finish as she took off toward Main Street. Hopefully that silly girl had decided to walk. If she didn't catch up with her, trying to find her or Ethan in this f***ing city was going to take forever. She ran into the street, just as several cars came to a sudden stop, blaring their horns at her. At first, but when they saw who it was, they poked their heads out and began to sing their praises to her. She felt like telling them to shut up but just smiled at them, waved and kept going. She reached Main Street and just as she turned the corner, she slammed into someone, knocking the person forward.

"H-hey!" She said. The girl turned and she saw it was Maple. "Ahh, Homika! What are you doing out here?"

She bent over gasping for air before she looked up back at her. "Where is he?"

She tried to play dumb and gave her a goofy smile. "Him?"

"Don't f—don't play around with me Maple. Just…can you please tell me where he is?"

She looked dumbfounded for a minute. What, was it that surprising that she knew how to say please? Then again…maybe it was a bit surprising. Maple soon recovered and smiled. "He's down at the harbor. He said he wanted to watch some of the ships come in."

"Watch the ships come in? Oh never mind, it's just the kind of thing he would enjoy. Okay, thanks."

"Ah um, you're welcome."

She jabbed a finger in her direction. "Oh and you better not go anywhere. I'm going to need some pointers from you on this…treating him respect kind of thing. Or whatever, I'm just bad at it okay?"

Maple gave her a warm smile. She was just like him in a lot of ways. "Of course. I hope it all goes well."

"Man, you're just like him, it's almost sickening. How can you two be so alike?"

"W-w-well he's a bit more of an extrovert compared to me and ah…well you know, birds of a feather flock together?"

"Cute. Just try and not be so sunshine, rainbows and puppy dogs around me."

"We'll try to tone it down. A little."

She turned away. "I'm joking Maple. I do that a lot."

"Would you just stop wasting time and get over there?"

She stepped back, a bit taken aback by her outburst before she laughed. "Ha-ha, I love it!

Pitch let out a yawn and looked back at him. He smiled at the little bird and pet him on the head. "Well what do you know guys? Looks like my threat worked! Team Rocket didn't crash the concert!"

Sam roared and he leaned against the railing, the salty air smacking him in the face as he did. He took a deep breath and let it out. "Yea, I think it would have been pretty cool to see Mika snap and just go after them with her guitar. You seemed kind of sad they didn't show."

Same let out another roar and he smiled. "Don't worry. You'll get plenty of chances to prove yourself. The fight is nowhere close to over. I guess the bad part is now we don't know where they'll strike next. At least before we had an idea and even a time and place and now what?"

Dodger quacked what could be considered a sigh. "Eh, don't get worried though! I'm sure we'll figure out where they'll strike next! If there's anything we do best, it's uncovering what they're up to. No matter how well they hide—"

"Is this pep rally private or can anyone join?"

Pitch let out a super loud chirp and the others could only voice their shock. That really couldn't be who he thought it was, right? Nah. Wind was probably playing tricks with him. He felt Pitch peck him a little and he winced. "Hey, what's the big deal? Would you stop that! You really need to stop that!"

Just then he felt someone standing right next to him. He looked over and saw Homika standing shoulder to shoulder to him. She didn't look at him, only staring out at the sea. "How's the view?"

"Oh well it's pretty great. I've always enjoyed being in coastal towns and watching the ships come and leave. I mean in Olivine, Jasmine and…ahhh er, never mind—"

"Jasmine? How many girl…or friends that or girls do you have? It seems every time I turn around, there is another one!"

He laughed at her little outburst. "Maple is Jasmine. That's just a name she was using while she was trying to avoid Team Rocket out here and she just stuck with it for now."

Homika turned red in the face. "Oh…well, good."

"Good? I thought you hated her?"

She let out a sigh. "I did hate her. And maybe I still don't like her a lot but…well since it seems like she is your bestest best friend, or whatever that means, I guess I can live."

"H-huh?"

"You heard me. Maybe we won't be buddy buddy but since being with you means she'll be around as well…I guess the two for one is something I will learn to live with. It's for the best. If I told you to choose between me and her…"

"Yea…I would choose her. I just don't want to have to make that choice."

Homika laughed. "Good well…uh, I guess I'm getting a bit ahead of myself," she said as she turned to face him. A tear ran down one side of her face and she grimaced. "This is going to be harder than I thought. Look, I'm f***ing awful at apologies. Do you need me to sit here and talk like an idiot while I try to say I'm sorry or can we make it short and simple?"

"I hate long speeches."

She nodded. "Good, so do I. Ethan…" she said before she suddenly fell on her knees. He jumped back, more than a bit surprised by it. "I was a f***ing b**** to you and you didn't deserve any of it. You're a good guy; a very good one and you deserve much better. I may be the princess of rock and roll but so what? That gives me the license to just treat you like crap? I should have known better but I didn't. I understand why you wouldn't want to have anything to do with me anymore."

"You did break up with me."

She nodded. "You're right and I was an idiot. I didn't understand your relationship with Maple and I didn't try to. I just lashed out at you and I just want to say…I'm sorry for everything. Not just this little thing or that little thing. I f***ed up plain and simple. Would you…forgive me?"

For once, even Pitch didn't say anything. In fact he just flew off his shoulder and settled down on the railing. He didn't know what to say to be honest, what in the world had Maple said to get Homika to do this? He really had to thank her somehow. He didn't know how but he would. "Well—"

"This is going to sound really cheesy but I guess I have been around you for so long but ah…I really don't want to lose you again. My life was a lot more fun with you around. And…wow did that sound cheesy. I am becoming a sap."

"Still in your I hate love phase?"

"No. That song was stupid and I'm angry I performed it, live and at the biggest concert ever!"

"Well…I do forgive you Mika but—"

"But?"

He looked away as she got to her feet. "Well you were the one who broke up with me."

She laughed. "You're still on that, aren't you? Well fine, can we just pick up where we left off? Well let's ignore that whole argument bit."

"Sure, no probl—"

Before he could finish his thought, she suddenly grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in for a kiss straight on the lips. He didn't even get to enjoy it much because she pushed away from him and hurried over to the other side of the pier. She slammed her fists on the railing. "Augh, I can't believe I just did that! That was so cheesy! I told you I'm becoming such a sap! Now watch me turn into some pop singer and all my lyrics are going to be about love, friendship, sunshine, freaking' rainbows and all sort of crap! What kind of rock and roll star am I?"

He ignored her rant and Pitch returned to his usual spot on his shoulder. Dodger, Sam and Pitch all gave a look that asked what was going on. Pitch let out a chirp and he nodded. "Don't mind her, she goes off on those rants from time to time."

"You bet I do! It's therapeutic."

He looked over at her and she had the biggest blush on her face and didn't seem interested at all in hiding it. "But what about all those goobers? Aren't they going to see their queen—"

She gave him a light jab to the chest and grinned. "Those goobers? Hah, they'll have to live with it. If they can't—"

"Guitar to the head?"

She frowned and folded her arms. "I guess. I think I need a new threat. It seems so empty when I—hey, where's Maple? I need to talk to her!"

"I-I'm over here."

They turned to see her walk out from behind a nearby shack. She had dropped the look she had been going with and back to her regular look. She waved at them. "I'm sorry, I was eavesdropping—"

"Yea yea, whatever Jasmine. I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

Jasmine smiled at her. "It's okay…really—"

"No it's not! I was a jealous b****. I saw how close you two were and I didn't like it. And I wasn't interested in letting Ethan explain, I just treated you like garbage, even though you treated me with kindness. I know you probably thought about just telling me off and to leave him alone for good but…you didn't."

She blushed. "Well ahh…you are kind of right about me wanting to tell you to leave him alone but I knew it wasn't right."

Homika shrugged. "Yea well I deserved it for being the b**** of the universe. And don't you dare say it's okay!"

Jasmine nodded without saying anything. Homika brushed back her hair and folded her arms. "Okay."

"You would say that. Why did you go back to this look anyways?"

Jasmine blushed and he chuckled. Homika looked at the two of them and frowned. "Well that's…"

"Don't tell me that he was his suggestion?"

"Well no…not really. I just thought it would be nice to go back to this look and all."

"He's right, you are an awful liar. And I bet if she told you that you looked cooler with your cap forward, you'd do it, right?"

"No one is gonna tell me to turn my cap around!"

Homika stuck out her bottom lip. "You're just as bad! You two really are alike—"

"And you're going back to arguing with him again," Jasmine said with a sigh.

Homika hooked her arm under his. "Well it's just how we communicate best."