My aunt and uncle just moved to Mauville City. They have 3 kids and own a small business in the city. My aunt has also become a partner in the casino.

We caught a ride on Carl's Wailord from Route 102 to Route 103. 103 is where the landslide occurred that ultimately led to the death of my dad. Near the place where the landslide occurred was a small memorial. It was created by citizens in Petalburg and Slateport City.

There were fresh flowers making up most of the memorial. It was pretty cool seeing the memorial considering it's been over a year and it's still up. However, something bothered me as I stood there and looked at it.

It was the first time I've ever been here. After the accident I couldn't bare to come here. Aaron did many times. I remember him sneaking out at night a lot. One time I followed him to Route 102 where I saw him cross the lake and stand in front of the memorial. He didn't cry, he just stood there.

What bothered me was that this showed how destroyed Aaron had become and most of it was his own self-doing. Aaron became a completely different person after our dad died. To be fair, so did I, but I think I've recovered. Aaron hasn't. Thing is, I was able to get out and go on an adventure; a perfect escape. Meanwhile, Aaron didn't so he was stuck in his own thoughts which creates this cycle of negativity. He goes out but I don't know how often it is with people. Hell, I don't even know if he likes the people he hangs out with because I rarely see him with them. Also, he never talks about them.

I feel like a terrible brother for being such an ass to him. He deserves better.

...

Mauville hasn't changed one bit since I've been gone. It's still the busiest city in all of Hoenn as it serves as the center hub of the region. Walking around I recognized a few people but thankfully not many recognized me. I had enough attention yesterday to last me a year. It was just good to walk around without people staring and gossiping.

We went upstairs to the residential part of the structure that makes up Mauville and knocked on the apartment where my aunt and uncle live. I hadn't messaged them, but they did call my mom this morning. They found out I was here and were hoping I'd come eventually. I don't think they'd expect me to come soon considering they looked pretty shocked to see me when they opened the door.

My Uncle Kurt and Aunt Beth invited us in for some tea and cookies. Their kids; Eliza, Marco, and Ryan were there as well. Eliza was the eldest at 18, Marco was 13 and Ryan was 8.

"Where's Sceptile?" I asked.

"Helping out at the Daycare. I have to get him in a few. You are willing to come along if you want," my uncle answered.

"No, that's fine. He was at the cemetery last night."

"Oh, you went to your dad's grave last night?" My aunt asked.

I nodded. "I had to get it over with."

My aunt smiled. "Wow. That's very good to hear, Cameron."

"Yeah, well I do have a couple people to thank for giving me the ability to do it," I say. Caleb blushed after I looked at him.

"Ah yes, I've noticed. I'm guessing this is the Caleb we've heard about?" She looked at Caleb causing him to blush more, even though I was a little confused. I had never brought him up with her or my uncle. Then she tells me that my mom told her about Caleb. Even the fact that he is my boyfriend.

I thought I would be annoyed by my mom sharing that info but I'm not. I'm glad my mom is excited about my relationship.

After my uncle left to go get Sceptile the conversation shifted to the Hoenn League Tournament. Carl described how the process works to determine who the competitors are to Caleb. There are 3 rounds in this section of the Tournament which lead to final rounds with the final 32. All 32 competitors are then re-ranked by the Hoenn League Council and a random draw is used to determine who faces who. However, the top 4 will not battle each other until the Semis.

That's when I looked at Caleb and asked him if he knew how things were being done in Alola. He shook his head. I'll have to ask Kukui about it when I get back.

The Opening Ceremony takes place the night before. During the ceremony there will be a couple speeches by important people in Hoenn.

I jump into Carl's explanation by saying, "My dad had delivered a few speeches. He was always asked but sometimes he didn't feel like doing it."

Carl then went on to talk about how the last thing they do is show the rankings. Then later that evening everyone gets an email of who their partner is and who they are facing. The information will be on jumbotrons all over the city anyways. Day 1-3 are all of these double battles. Then the final 32 play on day 4. Round of 16 is set for Day 5 and Quarters on day 6. It'll be a heavy week of battling so Day 7 is a day off for the final 4 trainers. Then it is Semifinals on Day 8 and Finals on Day 9.

I have been to a few of these tournaments and they are always fun. But now my best friend is going to be competing so it's a little bit more special.

When my Uncle Kurt came back my heart kind of stopped. It restarted a moment later but for a moment I was anxious. Sceptile was behind him holding a small box. Sceptile placed the box on the table but seemed to not have seen me until I got up.

I walked over to Sceptile and it just stared. "You know, I get that same stare from Skitty. Must I get it from you too?"

It groaned.

"Cameron, um doesn't it look a bit mad?" Caleb asked.

I turned around and nearly chuckled at the idea. Then I looked at Sceptile and I could see the rage in his eyes.

Shit.

I looked down and sighed.

Looking up I said, "I'm sorry for leaving you here, Sceptile. We should've brought you with us."

Sceptile just stared at me for a moment and then left the apartment. I was going to chase it, but then I decided it would be unwise. I looked at my uncle and asked, "Do you have my dad's Pokeballs?"

He nodded and walked to the back of the apartment and into a room. A moment later he came out with a small brown bag and handed it to me. In there was the 6 Pokeballs that used to be the home to my dad's main team. Obviously they are no longer in them but they aren't wild Pokemon. I could capture them with these Pokeballs and I planned to do so. I took the small brown bag and placed in mine.

"I need to bring them back with me, Uncle Kurt. Or at least see if they want to."

"I understand Cameron."

We hung around for a little while longer. My cousin, Marco, asked to see my Pokemon so I showed him a couple. I showed him and the rest of my cousins Oricorio and Decidueye. They weren't as interested in Oricorio as they were with Decidueye.

"Yo, Decidueye looks like such a badass," Marco said.

"Language, mister," his mother scorned.

"Sorry mom."

I was going to send out Muk because it was an Alolan variant but I didn't want to ruin the carpet.

We eventually left the apartment and went South to Slateport City. I needed to do some shopping and shop I did. I got a bunch of little souvenirs for my room back home, a few potions, and clothing.

Now we know I have a problem with shopping but I didn't know Caleb did to. I actually lost him as we shopped. When I did find him, he had 10 bags of stuff. Meanwhile, he was looking at expensive items for his Pokemon. I had to drag him away and he actually got mad.

After shopping Carl and I ran into a couple of our friends; Eric and Xavier. Before my dad died all four of us had every intention of traveling Hoenn together and defeating the gyms. After his death things changed. When time came to get starters I declined. I told them to go ahead and start their journey without me. They were all reluctant but only Carl stayed back. I should note that I don't hate them for that. I hate myself for not pushing Carl out of my house every time he came to check on me when he could've be battling gyms instead.

"So you come back to Hoenn and you don't come and say hi to me? Not even a text? I gotta find out from Carl?" Xavier looked serious but I know him. He's the least serious person I know. Not a few seconds after he asked that parade of questions did he smile and hug me.

Xavier is a tall, bulky dude. So when he hugs me he actually picks me up off the ground. Eric is a little less insane so he settles for a handshake.

"I was going to see your ugly asses at the Tournament anyway," I joke.

"Ohhhh. Ugly, huh? And what, you think you look good? Ha!" Xavier laughs as he looks at me. I look over at Caleb who is chuckling and grab his hand. Then I give him a quick peck on the lips and smirk at Xavier.

His mouth is wide open, along with Eric.

"Get roasted, Xavier," Eric jokes as he hysterically laughs.

"Dayum, Cameron." He looked at Caleb who was nervously blushing and asked, "Are you blind or sick?"

"Xavier!" I shake my head at him as he laughs. "You're an ass."

"Man, I didn't know you went that way," Xavier added. Carl glared at him. "Oh but like it's not a problem, dude."

"Haha. I know, man. Carl, you don't need to stare him down. You aren't my boyfriend," I crack.

"Oh screw you," Carl responds.

We hang around and get some lemonade and catch up. It was nice to catch up with Eric and Xavier.

We took a ferry from Slateport City to Petalburg and went to Carl's place and relaxed for the rest of the night. Carl and I made dinner and dessert for everybody and we watched a couple movies.

When nighttime turned to sleep time Caleb and I went to the spare bedroom we were allowed to sleep in during our stay. I was struggling to fall asleep when I heard some creaking. I thought it was nothing, just the house settling, but then I heard a door lightly close shut. So I got up from bed, trying not to disturb Caleb or Skitty, who was sleeping at the foot of the bed, and walked out of the room. Nothing seemed amiss inside the house. Then when I went to the kitchen I looked out the window and saw Carl.

He was walking towards the small pond near the gym so I went back to my room and slipped on my flip-flops and went outside. Carl spotted me as I walked towards him and feigned a light smile.

"Can't sleep?" he asks me as I sit down beside him on the floor.

"Nope. How about you?"

"Same," he said plainly.

I knew he was hiding something but I didn't know what. I thought about asking outright what was really going on but I decided against it.

"So are you nervous about the Tournament?" I ask.

He shrugged. "A little. I just want to beat that insufferable shit, Astor."

I chuckled. "Ah don't worry about him. One day he'll be humiliated. I hope it's by you but I won't be disappointed if it isn't. I hope you won't be disappointed either. Just enjoy the tournament."

Carl looked at me and scoffed a little.

"What?" I ask.

"Man, you really have changed?"

"What do you mean?" I asked trying to not to seem offended.

"You're literally sitting here telling me to relax and enjoy my battles even if I lose."

"Yeah, so?" I respond.

He chuckled. "You remember calling me back in January after you that battle with the Kahuna. You told me you lost when it was actually a draw?" I nodded. "You remember being miserable?"

"Yes. I also remember you telling me that you enjoy my battles and that you enjoy it because you give it your all. That helped me and I'm only relaying your words back to you."

He sighed. "That's not what I mean, Cam. I mean you are back to being the Cam I used to know. You challenging Steven proved that as well. You always were doing something stupid."

We both laughed but then his face dropped again.

"Cam, I watched you deteriorate for months. I watched as every part of you disappeared." His voice began to become shaky. "I had no clue what to do. It was the worst period of my life. Watching who you were gradually disappear felt like I was losing a part of me."

"Carl..." My mind closed up and my mouth went with it. I didn't know what to say.

"I can't tell you how many nights I struggled to sleep because I was worried about you. I was worried about losing my best friend. There was nothing I can do but just to be there and it didn't feel like it was enough."

Carl kept his eyes on the pond in front of us. I couldn't tell if he was looking at his reflection or just staring at a specific point and getting lost.

"It was enough, Carl."

He looked at me and forced a smile.

"I'm sorry for leaving you," I said as I looked away towards the pond ahead.

He was silent for a few moments until I heard the stifling of emotion. He looked like he was on the edge of a cliff. I wanted him to let go and jump for freedom.

"I was devastated Cam. It was a punch to the gut, but I knew you and your family needed it. And to see you so happy now shows that it was worth it."

"But are you happy?" I asked.

He took a deep breath. "I am now. I was every time you called me."

His answer leaves a little doubt in my head. "Then why are you here?"

There was a momentary pause before his answer. "Because I started to think about how you are going to leave after the tournament."

His eyes finally began to water. He'd been stifling the tears since I've arrived but he was at his breaking point.

"But you're gonna see me in a couple months in Alola. Then we are off to Kanto for Worlds. After that we'll be doing the Kanto League together."

"I know. I'm just being selfish, Cam."

For all the focus that has been made on my turnaround what has been lost in it are the people in my life that haven't followed suit. Aaron is still a mess and Carl isn't the stable force I've relied on for so long.

So I rested my arm around his shoulder and said, "Good. You deserve to be selfish for once." He didn't resist me when I pulled him towards me. He didn't burst into tears, but he let his body relax.