Aiden couldn't come up with another word that could describe what he was going through right now. He blinked dumbfoundly at his reflection on the cave wall. Completely lost with words. Dear, Arceus, they weren't kidding when they said this place is called Reflection Cave, he thought before standing up straight. He knew that there was no point in just standing around and admiring his reflection all day. But curiosity kept him going. He wondered how it was even possible for something like this to occur in a cave. It's... Amazing!
"Admiring yourself, I see?"
Aiden was a bit started when he saw someone else standing behind him. Although it would've been noticeable with their reflection. "Shauna!" he said, spinning around to face the young girl. The fourteen year old giggled playfully.
"Did I surprise you there? Sorry about that. I was just passing by and I noticed you over here." she then rubbed the back of her neck, "I'm sorry. I couldn't help it."
Aiden smiled. "It's fine. I've been scared worse." he placed his hand on her shoulder and she smiled up at him.
"So what do you think of Kalos so far?" she asked.
Aiden shrugged. "Pretty interesting." he said, "I'm just excited to explore more of it."
"So how many badges do you have so far?"
Aiden then sighed. Without reply verbally, he brought out his badge case to reveal two badges. "Yikes. Only two badges so far." Shauna said, "But don't worry! You're getting there. All journeys start off slow. But as time goes on, you'll wish it stayed slow!"
"I guess so." Aiden smiled. "So what brings you over here?" he asked.
"I'm actually heading over to Lumiose City." Shauna replied, "I was visiting a family friend in Shalour City when they introduced me to Furfrou Grooming. Though, I've heard of the thing before."
Aiden raised his brow up slightly. "Furfrou Grooming?" he asked.
"I'll show you." Shauna took out a Pokeball and released her newest Pokemon. It was a fairly small Furfrou, but what striked Aiden was the fact that her appearance was different. Instead of the messy fur look he was use to seeing a Furfrou with, it looked all fluffed up and completely bald in some places. She had pink heart on the tip of her tail and forehead, with pink fur on her legs.
"What the hell happened to her?" he asked.
Shauna giggled. "This is the power of Furfrou Grooming." she said, "The trim you see here is called a Heart Trim." A dreamy look suddenly appeared in her eyes. "This actually inspired me to want to learn more about it! So that's why I'm going to the Furfrou Salon in Lumiose City."
"Wow. Sounds interesting." Aiden said as he patted the Furfrou's head, "Aren't you prettiest little gal? My mom would certainly like you." The little Furfrou playfully licked his face.
"So are you on your way to Shalour City?" Shauna asked.
"Yep. I ran into the Gym Leader and we agreed on a battle in her Gym. I like her. She's pretty interesting."
"She is." Shauna giggled, "I like her too. If you want I can lead you through the cave. It's very easy to get lost in here, but I've gone through this place loads of times."
A look of relief swept across Aiden's face "Yes please!" he exhaled.
Shauna giggled. "Alright, follow me."
Shauna led Aiden through the cave. With her little Furfrou walking just a few feet ahead of them. "Have you heard about the incident in Glittering Cave yesterday?" Shauna asked, "I saw it on the news and in the papers."
"Yeah." Aiden replied, "I was the one who stopped them." Shauna suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Eyes wide with shock. Aiden stopped as well. "What's wrong?" he asked with a concerned look on his face.
"Aiden..." Shauna said slowly, "Are you sure? Were they wearing tacky red suits?"
"All but one." Aiden replied.
"Oh, Arceus..." Shauna whispered. Fear growing in her eyes. "How could it be, though?" she added, talking to herself now, "All of the scientists have been arrested. Xerosic was arrested, but he was released for good behavior and is now living with an adopted daughter in Lumiose. I don't see why he would re-store Team Flare. Who could it be, then?"
"Shauna?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry about that." Shauna apologized.
"What were you talking about?" Aiden asked, folding his arms above his chest.
"I was only thinking out loud. That's all." she replied with a nervous chuckle.
"Well...it could be a bunch of wannabes. You know? So I wouldn't worry about it too much." Aiden assured her. Shauna smiled a small smile up at Aiden. He's probably right. Just a bunch of wannabes with nothing better to do with their time. Besides, the ultimate weapon is destroyed anyway. What would be the point?
"Yeah. You're right. But let's change the subject." she said before the two resumed walking.
"Good idea." Aiden agreed. This Team Flare stuff was starting to give him a headache. "I want to know about you're journey through Kalos. What was it like?"
Shauna smiled. "Considering it only started two years ago, I might as well. I started my Journey in Vaniville Town with my friend, Calem. Trevor is from Lumiose City and Tierno is from Aquacorde Town. We all received letters from Professor Sycamore wanting us to come to his lab in Lumiose. So we did! But before we left, Calem and I decided to stop at our new neighbor's house. We would've never guessed she was the daughter of Grace Dane. Or...adopted, I should say."
"Adopted?" Aiden asked, "You mean Natalie?"
Shauna nodded. A sad smile appeared on her face. "Natalie was our friend. She was everyone's friend. You've probably heard this a million times, but she was the nicest girl you'll ever meet." Shauna paused when the memory of her and Natalie in Parfum Palace popped up. How they helped the owner search for his Furfrou and rewarded them in the end with a Fireworks show. That was truly something she would never forget. "Sometimes I saw her as an older sister. Did you know that Glittering Cave was actually the first place she and Calem encountered Team Flare?"
"Shut up." Aiden was surprised.
"Mm hm. Natalie was the one who single handedly defeated the scientists. She saved the Power Plant, the Pokeball Factory, and from what I heard, an Pokemon in Frost Cavern."
"I...never knew that." Aiden said. He always thought it was his cousin who fought Team Flare all the way. "I'm curious, though. What happened to her?"
Shauna lowered her head. "One day, we all met up outside of Victory Road. Trevor, Tierno, and myself challenged her to a Pokemon Battle. Amazingly, she defeated all of us. I should have you know, she was very close with her Pokemon. All of them. It was truly amazing. But then...we were ambushed."
"By who?"
"Team Flare." Shauna closed her eyes, "They wanted her to come with them, otherwise they would hurt us. We begged her not to go, but she did. She gave us her things and just went with them. We looked all over Kalos for her. Putting up missing Trainer posters and everything. But we just couldn't find her. Most of us had given up, including myself." she said shamefully. "But Calem never gave up. He was determined to find her. It wasn't until we got the Holo-message that everything changed. It turns out that Clemont had an idea on where she could be. He took us to a cafe that was actually run by Team Flare. I, being the pathetic coward I am, ran off. I don't know what happened after that. I was so scared that I actually bumped into Diantha."
"Wait. Diantha? As in Diantha Carnet? The Diantha Carnet?" Aiden asked in awe. He's heard of Diantha and has even seen her movies. She's an amazing actress and everyone knows it. Just by her sheer beauty and personality, it would explain why everyone loves her.
"Yep. She was actually the Kalos Pokemon League Champion at the time. Of course, being in sheer panic at the time, I didn't recognize her. I can't really remember what happened next, though. It all happened so fast that I can only pick up a few parts of it. Diantha must've taken me somewhere, because I remember a door closing. Then I heard the Professor's voice. And a woman's voice as well. Though she didn't sound too happy about me being there. I remember Diantha hugging me and saying something back to the woman. The next thing I remember is reuniting with my friends in Geosenge Town."
"That's it?" Aiden asked, "All of that happened in just one night?"
"Mm hm. I'm guessing I must've fallen asleep during that time because I felt so tired. Maybe that's why I couldn't remember everything. Common sense." she chuckled softly, "Anyway, he found Natalie. But...she was crying. I've never seen her cry before. It was awful." Shauna shuddered slightly.
"Why?" Aiden asked.
"We don't know. We tried asking her what Team Flare did to her but she wouldn't say a word. She wouldn't even look at us. She only allowed Professor Sycamore, or that pink haired lady, to go near her."
"I guess Team Flare must've done something to her that traumatized her a lot." Aiden said sadly.
Shauna nodded. "We thought so too. The next day, we gathered outside of Route 14 so we could start our journey again. I didn't understand why we choose that spot, but what the hell. That's when Natalie handed her Pokedex over to Professor Sycamore. Saying that she wouldn't be needing it anymore. We were shocked, except for the Professor. He told her that he understood and took it without question. She then gave me her hat and told me to give it to her mother for her. We...didn't understand why..." Tear brimmed Shauna's eyes when she remembered the last few words she said to them.
"I can't do this anymore." she said without looking at them, "And don't ask why. This is something my Pokemon and I must face alone without the likes of you guys."
Those words held no emotion in them. And sounded very cold. It actually scared her a bit. "We never saw her again after that. We tried calling her on her Holo-Caster but she blocked us. The pink haired woman, Malva her name is, told us it was our fault. And I don't see how it was our fault."
"I don't see how either." Aiden agreed.
"But yeah, I gave her mother her hat. After that, we all resumed our journeys. But it didn't feel the same without Natalie... I... I miss her..." Shauna was on the verge of crying. Tears already rolling down her cheeks.
"Don't cry, Shauna." Aiden said gently, "I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want you to. Maybe she just needed to be alone. You know? Try to heal. Perhaps someday she'll all of you by calling you. Don't give up, Shauna."
Shauna sniffed and smiled. "Thank you, Aiden." she said, "You really do remind me of Natalie in a way: your kindness."
"Woof! Woof!" Shauna's Furfrou stopped in front of the cave exit and barked at it.
"Looks like we're at the end." Shauna said.
"I guess so. Thanks for walking with me." Aiden said, giving her a bow.
"Not a problem. Don't be afraid to call if you need anything." Shauna gave him a wink, "Good luck on your journey."
X.X
I just wanna say, it turns out that in the manga, Shauna was an aspiring Furfrou Groomer. Just wanted to point that out!