I don't own Pokémon, but I will own a Darkri someday •~•. On the game boy..

"Distractions and Discord"

As I walked, I calmed, the garden always did that for me. I considered going to the out look, but decided against it. I exited the garden and made for my house, Houndor faithfully by my side. The streets were crowed and as the festival drew closer, they would only become more so. I meandered, putting off getting home, for as long as I could without actually stopping. Stepping out from between two buildings, I entered an open square. Then Absol's pokéball started to shake. Hurriedly, I enlarged it, then released him. He quickly turned and dashed toward the time tower. I ran after him.

"Absol! What's wrong!" I knew he only acted like this when he sensed impending danger, like when a that burglar broke into my house, and tried to rob me. Tried. Absol just kept running. I almost tripped over him when he came to a sudden stop and looked up. I followed suit and saw Alice I'm her hot air balloon, along with three other passengers. I paled.

"Alice! Hold on to something!" I yelled. She didn't hear me. Oh, no. I was about to try again, when Absol pushed me to the ground and stepped over my torso, trying to cover me. Houndor did the same with my legs.

All of a sudden, gusts of air blasted by, wave after wave. I covered my head with my arms and waited. When they stopped, Absol and Houndor both stepped back allowing me to stand.

I looked up to see Alice's balloon still floating and the passengers relatively unharmed. I sighed in relief. Alice looked down and saw me standing there with my Pokémon. I waved and motioned she should come down. Alice turned to her companions and said something. They cheered.

Slowly, the air ballon floated closer, until it hit the ground. Alice jumped over the wicker basket and set to tying it down. I helped and soon it was done.

"Thanks Danté! What brings you here?"

"Absol wanted out, so I let him and he ran to where your balloon was floating. I tried to get your attention, but you couldn't hear me. Then those weird air currents hit." She smiled and folded her hands in front of her.

"Well, I've offered to show my new friends around town to make up for their scare! Would you like to come along?" The blonde offered.

"Sure, sounds like fun!" I turned to the trio of people and stated, "Danté Ridein, at your service!" Placing a fist over my heart, I bowed at the waist. The short black haired boy had disappeared when I straitened.

"Oh wow! You have an Absol? How? This is so cool!" I turned toward the voice and saw the boy trying pet Absol. He, however, just moved his head to avoid the hand. I giggled and walked over. I placed my hand on his shoulder, stopping his reaching hand.

"They are a prideful kind. You must first offer your hand, and they will decide whether or not to let you touch them." I placed my other hand over his and flipped it palm side up. I didn't miss the faint blush on his cheeks. I smiled. His attention was quickly taken by my Absol stepping forward, head held high.

Knowing my ques, I gently turned the boy's palm to face my Absol and waited. He slowly leaned forward, and touched the outstretched hand. I felt the boy still, gasping quietly. Absol lifted his head and trotted back to where Houndor waited a few feet behind me. I stepped back and the boy turned.

"That was amazing! I touched an Absol! Haha!" I giggled and was whipped around by a strong grip on my hand. I found the taller boy on bended knee, both tanned hands clasped around my own. I blushed confusedly.

"Danté! Beautiful Danté! Allow me to introduce myself! I am Brock! This must be fate! The two of us meeting like this! You must let me celebrate by taking you to dinner!" I was about to utter a small 'what?' When Absol headbutted Brock. His surprised yelp shocked me out of my daze.

"Absol! What the heck?" He simply glared at Brock, who was currently spread eagle on the ground. Laughter rang in my ears. I spun to see the girl pointing at him and laughing hysterically. One arm wrapped around her middle. The raven haired boy just groaned and facepalmed.

"It's not funny!" Brock rushed by me trying to catch her, she shrieked and ran to hide behind me.

"Is too! By the way, I'm Dawn and that's Ash." He held out a hand and I awkwardly reached around to shake it.

"This is my partner Piplup and Pikachu is Ash's partner." I looked over to see said creature scurry up Ash's leg, torso, and settle on his head.

"Come on! This way!" Alice motioned towards a random street. We ran to catch up, Houndor and Absol running in either side of me. I winced and mid-stride, pulled out Absol's pokeball.

"Sorry buddy, you know how some people get." He nodded and streaked forward, intent on showing off for Ash. An amazed laugh rewarded him as he jumped up high, letting a red beam catch him and suck him into the pokeball.

When we caught up to Alice, she started a running commentary about every thing we passed. I declined the cotton candy when we passed a man selling it and laughed when Ash ate Brock's. He was too distracted by Alice to notice. He bit down on a stick and frowned at the culprit. Ash simply laughed and ran forward, slamming into a Torrtera. Two other trainers walked up and challenged Brock and Dawn. They didn't ask me, knowing my rep as an undefeated trainer. When he had beaten Torrtera, Ash challenged me.

"Houndor! Flame fang!"

"Pikachu dodge!" The mouse ducked under Houndor and used an Iron tail on his back. Snarling, he whirled and bit at Pikachu.

"Houndor! Focus! Use roar and ember!" He let out a bone-chilling roar. It froze poor Pikachu to the spot and left ember to knock him out.

"Aw, man! Pikachu!" He ran out and picked it up. I tossed him a potion and he smiled a thanks.

"Nice battle, Ash! I love one-on-one fights." He smiled and I was blinded by a white light blooming around Houndor. I gasped. He was evolving!

The glow faded and a large Houndoom stood were Houndor once did. I shrieked and hugged him around the neck. Houndoom simply grunted and licked my face.

"Come on! I wanna show you some more!" Alice led us to the entrance of the garden and I sighed. This was much better then going home.

"This has got to be my favorite place in the whole town!" I nodded my agreement.

"This whole garden was designed by Godey, you know?"

"What a beautiful spot! It says: the design theme architect Godey's brilliant garden is the harmony of humans and Pokemon." Brock read. He lowered the tour booklet and looked at the bug Pokemon flying around.

"When ever I come here, I feel at peace instantly." I murmured. Alice hummed in agreement. We walked up to a small hedge and five Pokemon poked their heads out from behind it. They smiled when they recognized Alice and me. They played around our feet and nuzzled Houndoom.

"We've been playing here since we were little girls, so every one is our friend." Alice said, putting an arm over my shoulders. I smiled and gave her a side hug.

"Cool! Every one lets go!" Ash yelled, throwing three pokéballs in the air. Turtwig, Aipom, and Starravia exploded into sight. I laughed and followed suit.

"Let's play guys!" I cried and released Umbreon, Haunter, and Absol. Haunter smiled and floated down to pat Aipom on the head while Umbreon brushed under Absol and sashayed over to me.

"Silly girl," I giggled and picked her up. She walked along my arm and settled around my neck, under my ponytail.

"Great idea!" Dawn said.

"Let's go too!" Brock threw his pokeballs up and Dawn mimicked him. Out came a Buizel, Patchuresu, Bunnarie, Hapini, Crogunk, and a Suduodo.

They ran off following the native Pokemon, while we ran to the overhang, to watch them play. Absol was, as usual laying in a dignified manner by the swings, while Umbreon crawled off me and joined him. She padded over and lounged in-between his front paws, and flicked her split tail contentedly.

I giggled and then gasped. Piplup and a Laxion were tumbling down the hill, something clutched between them. As I watched the ensuing chaos, I grimaced.

"Knock it off!" Ash yelled.

"Quit fighting!" Dawn called. They ran down the steppes to reach the fight. They were cut short by a soft melody I knew well. Oracion. The Pokemon were shocked into stillness as well and lost their defensive poses. I smiled and watched as Ash and Dawn slowly walked back to join us, awed by the sudden change. We stood in silence and reveled in the sweet song. When it stopped, the Pokemon were abashedly happy.

"What a beautiful song!" Dawn praised. Brock just stood staring at Alice with his hands clasped in front of his chest.

"My grandmother taught it to me." Alice smiled and tucked the leaf into her pocket.

"It was just so moving!" Brock said leaning forward

"Thank you, Brock!" Alice giggled.

"Ab! Absol!" I turned to see Absol pick Umbreon up by the middle of her back an dart towards me. Houndoom and Haunter followed. Umbreon squeaked in alarm and glared up at the large Pokemon who dared carry her in such a manner.

"What? What is it!" He placed Umbreon down and stared at the stairs behind us. Suddenly a Gallade leaped from the trees, and pointed frantically towed the way he had come.

"What Gallade?" Alice asked in confusion. He simply continued pointing and I stepped forward.

"Something's up. Show us." He nodded and ran back into the forest.

"Something is very wrong." Alice warned. I recalled my Pokemon- except Absol and Umbreon, then followed.