Disclaimer: I open my email to see that I have TWENTY-FOUR unread messages. Wow, guys. In a good way ^.^ Beebee: Thanks! And my pleasure! Diesle: Thanks for all the favouriting/ alerts! Champion Jack: Oh hi! : ) And thanks; no, I never said why, but I left it up to interpretation. And yes, of course I can do that! Mitsy: Yeah, same! I saw some fanart, and though I'm not a rabid shipper, I find it really interesting. And I think Kylie is a really cute name. Penny: Thanks so much for ALL of your wonderful reviews! You're definitely one of my most dedicated reviewers; thanks for that! Olih: Thanks so much! 'Seven Way of Looking At' isn't a meme, but rather a take on Wallace Stevens's (omigosh Wallace and Steven coincidence) poem 'Thirteen Ways of Looking At A Blackbird'. Ebaz: Thanks so much! ThetrainernamedSilver: Hahaha, thanks so much! *lures you out of corner with cookies* There, there. Arther: Yeah, I prefer her with Silver ^.^ I preferred Gold's design, too; the only difference in that list is, for me, I played as Black instead of White. GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE. *computer-five* Kyo: Red IS hot, I agree with you there ; ) Yeah, I don't watch the anime, but I heard that Pearl was in a few episodes. YES, FELLOW HOST CLUB FANS UNITE! I WOULD MARRY KAORU, I SWEAR *Keels over because of how cute he is* Who would you marry, out of the Host Club boys?

SIX HUNDRED REVIEWS, GUYS : D

Question: Hottest Rocket executive?

My Answer: Proton. Honestly, you can't tell me that his pose in HG/ SS wasn't on purpose: DAT ASS.

Characters: Pachrisu X Lucas (Ash's OC), as requested.

Summary: When the two lose a battle against Lucas's cousin, Lucas has to comfort his pokemon.

Partners

Lucas knelt down to crouch beside Pachirisu, the dyed strands of his hair still damp from the exertion of battle. Brett, his cousin, stood congratulating his infernape on the other side of the ring; the two boys barely glanced at each other, rivalry taut between them.

"Hey," Lucas said softly, placing one hand on the electric squirrel's head. "Pachirisu."

She gave a small shudder and ducked her head down lower, her ears flat against her head.

"Pachirisu," he sighed, "look at me."

When she wouldn't, he gently tipped her face up, his pointer fingers resting on the pouches on her cheeks. Her brown eyes leaked tears of apology and shame, and understanding flickered between the two.

"You did great," he told her earnestly. "Really, you did."

She sniffled and shook her head, though her cheeks heated under the pads of his fingers.

He smiled, not seeming to notice. "Don't be sorry. We'll beat them next time, okay?"

She squeaked forlornly, which earned a short laugh from him. "No, I won't use a different pokemon next time," he answered, giving her an affectionate rap on the nose. "We're partners, remember?"

She showed her teeth in a melancholy smile, and nuzzled his hand: despite the fact that she would never be able to tell her trainer how she felt about him, they would always be partners.