AOF: To the anon who left a review on my last chapter:

AOF: I'd love to read your story, sweetheart! I love reading other people's stories! If you have an account, just send me a message or something. Also, I'm glad you like my story.

Astro.

Lee was anxious to get out of the fog, and like most things, it pissed me off.

The whole time he had been with us, I'd felt anxious vibes coming from him. All the anxiety gave me an awful migraine, and his nursemaid didn't make it any easier.

Riley kept Riolu in his pokeball, which I was grateful for. It was heartbreaking enough, ignoring him during dinner.

The Ampharos, Strawberry, lit up the path for us pretty well. And he was happy about it, too; it was sickening, how happy he was.

"How much longer do we gotta walk?" I complained, keeping in step with Amber.

That tall guy, Mark, made a disgusted noise in his throat. "That one really is too talkative. Wish I could cover his mouth."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Someone's cheery as the sun. Is it because it set your hair on fire, cinnamon roll?"

Flint snickered at my insult. "Cinnamon bun," He repeated. "Nice, Azz."

I beamed proudly. Mark groaned again.

Not wanting to stop talking, I folded my arms behind my head like the true anime character I am. "Tessie, how's that hooligan of yours been doing? Sneasel?"

Amber sighed. "Astro," She chided me. "Sneasel's not that bad..."

"Yes he is," Both Flint and Volkner chimed in. Volkner added, "Nearly clawed my eyes out."

Tess giggled. "It's alright, Amber," She assured my trainer. "Sneasel's been great, Astro...he won me my Cobble Badge, too. I guess traveling around and battling helps him get out that aggression. It's almost cute-"

"Cute!" Flint cackled. "He's insane, Tess!"

Tess glared daggers at the poor boy. I guess a trainer can never really see how badly their pokemon misbehave; explains why Amber would bother putting up with me.

Amber... I had been putting off thinking much about her, but I couldn't avoid it forever. I could do what I needed to cut off my friendship with Riolu, but my trainer...

"Do you want me to carry you, Azzy bear?" Before I could answer, Amber picked me up and carried me in her arms. I let myself to limp.

Man, thinking about your own mortality really sucks. It doesn't even bother me anymore, and I feel a little queasy.

"Are you feeling okay, Astro?" Amber rubbed my side soothingly as she carried me.

I rested my head against her forearm, muttering, "'m tired, Amber." I did feel a little tired, but not like I let on.

Mark snorted. "Mouthy little thing doesn't have much stamina, huh?"

Amber's arms stiffened around me. Keep in mind, no one knew about my genetic disposition but me, her, and Riley.

Out of nowhere, Riley muttered, "Shut up about Astro, Mark."

The redhead glanced over his shoulder. "Say something?"

"I said shut up, Mark," Riley grumbled. "Do you do anything besides complain? Lee chose one shitty best friend."

I really thought Mark was gonna slug Riley, right there. But, he wouldn't dare do it; not with Lee right there, ready to defend the plucky little weirdo.

Instead, he turned his head back around, grumbling under his breath. Lee laughed at his reaction, elbowing Mark in the ribs.

I guess Riley can stick up for Amber, if I can't... I thought morbidly. Amber loosened her grip on me a bit, passing Riley a shy, thankful smile. He at least makes her happy enough.

Listening to the idle chatter among the eight trainers, I guess I fell asleep. Must have been more tired than I'd thought.

Pathetic, really, how easily a walk through the fog could tucker me out when I was young.

Later.

"Well, I suppose this is as good a time as any to stop for lunch."

Amber woke me up to eat. I sat away from the other pokemon, closer to the humans but not close enough to talk.

Volkner tore through his bologna sandwich. "Amber, has Astro been acting weird?" I heard him ask.

"Yeah," Flint and Tess agreed. Tess added, "He's acting...distant."

Amber stiffened. I lazily tossed a cement-tasting pellet of pokemon food into my mouth.

"H-he's just being himself," Amber lied. "Don't mind him, guys...he's just a precious little dork."

'Dork' was a little over the top, but whatever. I popped another pellet, chewing slowly.

"...Hyunn?" Astro?

I looked up. Riolu had picked up his food bowl, carried it over to me, and set it down. He sat next to me, a look of innocent confusion in his wide, red eyes.

I felt sick, looking at him. "Hey."

"Hyah?" He asked, ignoring his food. "Hyuhh..." Are you okay? You've been avoiding us...

I glanced at the others. Sneasel was stealing bits of food from an oblivious Magby, until big brother Aron jumped up and yipped angrily at him. Lee's Feraligatr and Mark's Nuzleaf laughed harshly at it.

They looked like they were having fun.

"I've had some stuff on my mind..." I admitted. "Go on, mess around with them. They're more fun than me, anyway."

"Hyahh!" Riolu answered adamantly. But you're my best friend!

My heart lurched at his answer. I actually felt a physical, painful movement.

"What about Aron?" I asked nonchalantly, my gaze dropping down to my food. My voice wavered as I spoke.. "I'm sure...you were friends with that guy before I ever came along, huh?"

Riolu set his paw on my wrist, and I looked up. He was frowning sadly, his eyes looking like I'd given a swift kick to his ribs.

"Hyoh?" He asked in a trembling voice. "H...hyoh...?" What's wrong? Maybe...maybe you don't like me anymore...?

I bit my bottom lip. Poor Riolu looked on the brink of tears. Why couldn't I have left home a heartless, cynical asshole instead of having to work my way to it?

"I don't..." I already had the words out, no backing down. "I don't think we should be friends anymore, Riolu."

Riolu practically squeaked. He covered his mouth with his paw, trying to conceal the sound.

"Hyoh...? Hyah?" What...? Why?

I closed my eyes, lowering my head with a pained sigh. His shock gave me a headache.

"Y...you heard me perfectly well." I sounded unnecessarily annoyed with him, which on one level, I was. "Go on, go back over to them. Leave me alone!"

He squeaked again, sounding like he was holding back a sob. I heard him get up, leave his bowl, and run back to the other pokemon.

Wouldn't you know it, Amber came along just a minute later.

"Astro, are things between you two okay?" She asked in a low murmur. "Riley saw that, and..."

"It's none of your business." I rarely really snapped at Amber, but I wasn't in the mood for her mothering me.

"Humph." She stroked my head with her thumb. "We're about to leave. Are you done eating?"

I groaned. "Couldn't eat another bite." My stomach was churning too bad. I felt sick.

"Okay, sweetie." She scuffed up my fur one more time, then returned my food bowl to Dee.

Naturally, she carried me for the rest of the day.

AOF: The thrilling saga of Astro's Terrible Life Choices continues!