This chapter was actually written by me about 5 years ago, but I never posted it anywhere. Chapter 11 is also half way done too. I plan to get that one done very shortly, as well as going back and touching up bits and pieces of the older chapters.

Thanks everyone!

Chapter 10

Innocence Lost

You could hear a pin drop. Chris could do nothing but stare at her. She was always so strong and determined. He didn't have any words. He knew there was nothing he could say to fix anything, to make anything better. For the first time since Charmander's accident, he felt completely and truly helpless.

"Melanie… I… I'm so sorry" he eventually stammered out. Of all the possible things he felt she might have said, the thought that it was that severe never occurred to him.

"He took everything from me, Chris. First it started off as him hitting me just a little too hard when I was being punished for misbehaving. When I was around seven he started calling me Melly, telling me how beautiful I was and started visiting me at night. Finally when I was eleven…" Melanie tailed off. Chris could see the pain in her eyes; he could hear it in her voice. He watched her body tremble.

He did the only thing he could think to do: he hugged her. He squeezed her like an Ursaring would have.

"Melanie… I'm so sorry that something that awful ever had to happen to you. Does anybody else know?" he asked softly, hoping his warm embrace could melt the ice that had enveloped her.

"Only Tangela, and until recently I didn't think it was possible anybody could ask her… I protected my younger brother from the knowledge, and I doubt my Mom even cared to notice. He'd only ever do anything when she was out of town on business or something…" her voice quivered, partly due to the fear of her memories, but also due to the relief that she no longer had to bare this burden on her own. She finally had a friend, an honest to goodness person who actually cared about her.

"Tangela knew?" Chris asked, slightly shocked. To him, the ball of vines seemed far too loopy to be able to hold in a weighty secret like that.

"She was the one who stopped him. I'm sorry, Chris, I sort of fibbed a bit about my runaway story. Yes my dad hit me, but only because I refused to fulfill his demands. He was going to take what he wanted, but Tangela fought him off, him and his Pokémon too. She was so brave. She saved me." Melanie's tears slowly dried up, telling Chris the tale of her starter Pokémon's heroism. Chris made a mental note to thank the nutty mass of vines later on.

"Mel, if I knew… I would never have dragged you to Gree-"

"Don't forget, I forced myself on your journey for better or for worse. I knew this was going to have to happen eventually. There was just something about you… Something that made me feel safe. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at the time, maybe it was your strategies, or the care you showed your Pokémon. Maybe it was the weird secret I knew you were hiding. Maybe I didn't want to be the only one with baggage, and maybe, just maybe I wanted a friend."

Slowly, Chris released her from the tight grasp of his caring embrace. Her Emerald eyes were damp, but the tears had stopped. My goodness she's a strong person. I don't think I'd be nearly this strong if I'd gone through that kind of hell, he thought to himself. He'd considering saying it out loud right now, but he was glad that he could be a shoulder for her. Outside of his Pokemon, Melanie was the only friend he really had, and by the sounds of it he was her only friend too.

We may have only been travelling together for a few months now, but I feel like I've known her my whole life. She trusts me… And I think that I trust her too, Chris mused mentally. Thankfully he was the only sort of psychic around here.

"Hey Chris," Melanie whispered, the last of her strength returning to her.

"Yes, Melanie?" He replied, part of him morbidly curious as to what she could possibly have for an encore to such hard news.

"Thanks for being there for me, for being my friend and for giving me the strength to face my fears. When I ran from home in the first place, I thought that I needed to make both my Pokémon and myself stronger, to teach him a lesson. But meeting you, I feel stronger for knowing you and knowing that you'll be there with me as a friend." She smiled at him, a soft smile but one that showed determination and resolve.

He gave her a smile right back. He had some resolve of his own. He had a new mission in Greenburg beyond just furthering his Pokémon League dream.

It had been nearly two months since she left Silver Town. She had been sent with instructions to find one Christopher Davis, who at this point she was sure at this point was a Legendary Pokémon.

"You're a rare sun of a gun aren't you…" she muttered. Her Bulbasaur walked beside her and her Natu sat on her shoulder. She couldn't really talk to either of them, (although she knew that the Natu said something telepathically before she caught it,) but the company was nice. She wasn't super keen on the quiet though.

"Mistress Rainbows, the trainer you seek is just ahead of us. Him and his party have settled down for a rest down by Greenburg Lake. Also, I might add, it is a break from these bloody forests you detest so greatly."

She knew that was her Natu. Bloody psychic type's, she thought to herself. She was getting sick and tired of her psychic bird thing insinuating something with this rainbows talk, but at the moment she was just thrilled to be able to escape these woods. Quickly, she returned her Pokémon and made a mad dash for the exit.

Christopher Davis, you better have been worth the wait!

Melanie sat quietly on a large stone. Greenburg Lake, I spent a lot of time here, she mused. She sighed. She found it hard to hate this place. Between swimming, dipping her feet in the water and the occasional rare Pokémon sighting, it was like another home to her. This used to be her safe place.

"How you doing?"

Her trance was broken. It was Chris.

"I'm surviving. How's trying to teach Chatot some proper manners?" She laughed, probably for the first time today. She could tell from his expression it was hopeless.

"I'm sure you already know," he sighed. Melanie liked Chatot, but he had by far the worst manners out of their ragtag team of Pokémon. It disappointed her to know Sandshrew was next according to Chris, but it wasn't all too surprising. Yanma, Charmander and Snorunt were all incredibly polite, and Tangela… was Tangela.

"Maybe one day he'll learn. Speaking of the little bugger, what do you say we release our Pokémon and rest here for the night? It looks like it's going to be a beautiful night, and I think camping is in order," she cheered, trying to sound as happy as she could. She expected he might guess she had ulterior motives, and she did, but at the same time it was going to be a beautiful night for camping. She loved this spot, and she wanted to share that with Chris and their Pokémon. She needed to hold on to a happy memory of the area. She knew she would need them soon.

"I think that sounds like a great idea!" Chris cheered, smiling at her. He released his Pokémon and she released hers. The six of them appeared in a flash of light some looking excited, such as Yanma and Charmander, while others, such as the loudmouth bird, looked annoyed, borderline fearful of being scolded.

She was thankful Chris hadn't pried about her camping request, but it didn't surprise her either. She had never been more grateful then now to be Chris' friend. She couldn't help but wonder how her journey would have been different if she met someone else. She could see his previously smiling face frown, almost as if simultaneous with her thought.

"Hey, Chris, wh-"

"Excuse me, are you Christopher Davis?"

Melanie and Chris turned their heads, in nearly complete unison, towards the strange girl who had just inexplicably knew Chris' name. She was shorter than either Chris or Melanie, with short, light brown hair and vibrant, cleansing blue eyes. She was wearing short jean shorts and a tie-dye short sleeve shirt.

"Who are you to ask for my name, Miss… uh… rainbow shirt," Chris muttered, his usually confident voice sounding slightly on edge.

"I didn't ask for your name. I asked if you were Christopher Davis, which I'm going to assume you are, considering the Charmander I can see wondering around nearby," she pointed out sharply.

"How do you know who Chris is? What do you want from him?" Melanie challenged, irritated not only at this girls poor timing but also her prior knowledge of Chris.

"Look… whoever you are, I wasn't informed that Chris had already had a travelling companion, let alone a girlfriend. I was just told to meet up with him when I left on my journey. The professor said it was safer this way," the girl replied.

"Listen here, you. Chris is just my friend. You should-"

"You must be Sakura," Chris claimed, cutting Melanie off before she could finish. "The professor said you left on your journey shortly after me. She said you took the Bulbasaur that was Charmander's friend from the lab."

"That's right! My name is Sakura, I'm 13 years old, and I started my Pokémon journey shortly after you did!" she cheered, clearly believing the awkward tension had finally disappeared.

"How can you already have your Pokémon license at 13?!" Chris asked incredulously. "I was told you had to wait until 15 here in Anotica."

"Simple, I took a placement test. Did you not know you could do that?" she asked, to which Chris shook his head in disgust. Melanie knew, but her father had never allowed her to take it.

"So, Ms. Placement Test, how would you feel about showing us your moves?" Melanie challenged, her eyes fierce with determination.

"Mel, don't you think that's a little, um… blunt? She just got here," Chris claimed.

"I accept your challenge, Mrs. Chris Davis," Sakura grinned, causing Melanie to once again glare at her over the insinuation.

"I'm glad you agree," Melanie finally chimed, repressing her frustration temporarily in order to get into her zone, "Chris will ref.

"Melanie can I please talk to you for a min-"

"No, Chris, you can't."

Hannah Hemlock sighed.

It felt like so long since she had heard from either Chris or Sakura. The only word she got on either of them came from Professor Oak, and that was about poor Charmander's tragic accident.

Beside where Hannah sat at the desk in her lab, sat a despondent, tiny turtle. Poor Guy, she thought to herself. He was alone here now: just him and her. His best friends, who he has known practically his whole life, had been taken from him. Neither Chris nor Sakura had caught enough Pokémon yet to have to send one to her lab either.

"Chin up, Squirtle. I have a feeling you'll have your very own trainer soon," she claimed, trying to him to cheer up. The small, light blue turtle looked up at her, a small glimmer of hope in his eyes, before lowering his head into his shell, defeated. This breaks my heart watching this.

"Hey, Squirt, maybe we ca-" she tapered off. She could hear knocking on her door. Slowly, she pushed the chair out from her desk, careful not to disturb Squirtle, and crept towards the front door. Slowly she opened the door, to a face she recognized immediately. He could definitely see the resemblance.

"Hello, Selena, pleasure to see you as always," she said cheerfully, happy to see her neighbour and probably closest friend in Silver Town.

"Greetings, Hannah, I was just stopping by for tea at the usual time," responded Selena Davis.

Right, tea… shoot, I forgot!

"I'm guessing you forgot again? Caught up in your research as per usual?" Selena smiled, not surprised in the least that her friend had forgotten about tea.

"Of course, that and I was completely lost in thought, which I suppose is also usual. Have you heard from your son since Evertown?"

"Nope, but he did promise me when he left that he'd call me when he got to Greenburg." Selena sighed, clearly not believing her own words. "He's so much like his father was, I think he'd forget to call me if I didn't remind him so often."

Professor Hemlock smiled, nodding in agreement. "At least he had the courtesy to call you. I found out about Charmander's accident from Professor Oak."

"Yes, poor thing. That Charmander was so full of life when I met her, and according to Chris she has bounced back from her scare better than he even imagined she would. He truly believes he can make her strong, even without evolution, and I couldn't be more proud of him for that," she smiled, clearly enjoying the opportunity to praise her boy's big heart.

"I'm glad to hear Charmander is full of life, that means two of my starters are happy," the Professor sighed, her eyes glazing over with sadness.

"What's wrong with little Squirtle?" Selena asked, her voice emanating with concern. I guess it was obvious I was talking about him, Hannah mused to herself.

"He needs a friend. He misses Bulbasaur and Charmander. I don't know when another Trainer is going to come through Silver Town. He needs to travel, see the world and make friends. He's in a funk," Hannah claimed.

"Hmm, I might have an idea," Selena decreed, a smile forming on her face.

"Please, Melanie you don't have to do this. I think we can trust her. The Professor sent her to us for company."

Chris had pled with her the entire way to the field battlefield where Melanie decided the battle would be. She had trained here with Tangela as a child. It was just a plain old battlefield, no strings attached, so this Sakura person couldn't pull off any devious tricks. It wasn't a well-known spot, so she figured there was no risk in anyone recognizing her.

"Please Melanie…"

"Enough! She sent her to you for company. The professor doesn't know I exist. I don't trust this girl. I'm going to battle her and you can't stop me. I have to prove my worth!"

Melanie could tell her last statement had frozen Chris in his tracks. Yes, part of her didn't trust this girl, but deep down she needed a tune up. The only training she had done recently was practice matches with Chris and those nuisance Mankeys. She needed this battle.

"Are you two done bickering so we can battle, or what?" Sakura challenged.

"Yes, I'm ready," Melanie replied. She could feel the fire burning in her. She was ready to win.

Taking his place in the middle of the battlefield, Chris sighed before raising his arms, "this battle will be a three-on-th-"

"I only have two Pokémon!" Sakura called hastily.

"Fine, this battle will be a two-on-two match. Neither trainer shall be allowed to make Substitutions. A substitution qualifies as a forfeit. Standard league battle rules apply. Trainers, make your selections!"

"It's battle time!" Sakura cheered.

Sakura released a small, green bird with a red feather on it's head, a Pokémon Melanie recognized as Natu. I also happen to know that this girl has a Bulbasaur, so even if Sandshrew gets by Natu it doesn't stand much of a chance. I think Yanma and Tangela are my best bets here, even with the flying weakness of both, Melanie mentally decided.

"Yanma, front and centre!"

From his place on the sidelines, Yanma flew into the battlefield. Melanie could tell from the way he was buzzing about that he was excited. The other Pokémon on the sidelines were cheering loudly, although unlike Chris, Melanie couldn't understand them. However, she could tell that their words were firing Yanma up. This is his first real battle against another trainer. I think his Speed Boost Ability will come in handy here. I only wish I could understand him like Chris can…

"Well shall we begin?" Melanie asked looking at Chris, who look lost in thought. He was just blankly staring at the small bird Pokémon, as if he had never seen a Natu before.

"Chris?" Sakura asked, a perplexed look on her face.

"Hey, Dopey, can we start?" Melanie screamed, snapping Chris out of his trance. I'll grill him later.

"Oh… yes… sorry. The battle will be Yanma vs. Natu. Begin!" Chris claimed with authority.

"After you," Melanie said, motioning towards Sakura.

"Your funeral," Sakura smirked. "Natu, use Future Sight!"

The small green Pokémon briefly closed it's eyes, before opening them suddenly, eyes glowing with a shimmering electric blue.

(Your demise is nigh, Yanma. You have not a shot against me.) Natu cooed.

(What's a demise?) Yanma asked, tilting it's head in confusion. (Is it fu-)

"Yanma, use Quick Attack, and follow it up with a close range Silver Wind!" Melanie ordered, trying to emulate how she felt Chris would be battling. I need to use Yanma's speed to end this quick!

(I think I can do that,) Yanma decided, taking off full speed towards Natu. As Yanma's wings flapped, he released a stream of crescent shaped blasts towards Natu, the first of which missed narrowly, before the next couple hit. Why isn't it moving, Melanie wondered.

"Natu, can you escape?" Sakura demanded, her voice ridden with Panic. "You can't? Then wait for Yanma to get close and use peck!"

What is she up to? How did she just communicate with that bird?

Like a good soldier on the battlefield, Natu just stood there, as if resigned to its fate. Yanma closed in quickly, and at a speed that surprised Melanie, Natu reared back and collided it's beak into Yanma's brain. Yanma seemed dazed, but flew back to his side of the field. Natu, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky.

"Natu is unable to battle. Yanma is the win-"

(What's happening?) Yanma wondered, before he just flopped, falling headfirst towards the ground like a falling plane. With a loud thud, Yanma landed; he was out cold.

"Yanma!" Melanie yelled, running out on to the field to pick up her brave little dragonfly. Damn Future Sight, Melanie cursed mentally. She watched as her opponent return her Natu, thanked it for a fine match, and reached for her next Pokéball.

"Yanma is also unable to battle. Both trainers are down to their last Pokémon," Chris declared, doing is best to sound as official as possible.

Melanie walked to the sidelines, and laid Yanma down with the other Pokémon. Snorunt moved over and sat down beside Yanma, dipping it's cone head towards Melanie as if to say 'don't worry pardner, I got 'er.'

"Bulbasaur, I choose you!" Sakura called. Melanie could see Charmander's eyes glitter a little bit at the reveal of her old friend. Can't really blame her I guess, she's know Bulbasaur far longer than me. I won't be surprised if she's secretly rooting for her, Melanie sighed internally.

"Tangela, you're up. Let's teach this wannabe grass type who's boss!"

(About time I get to battle, I was like, getting so bored,) Tangela cheered.

(Good luck, friend of Charmander,) Bulbasaur chimed, a mixture of sincerity and competitive fire tingling in her voice.

"Since I started the last match, feel free to make the first move," Sakura decided, her face betraying nothing.

"If you insist. Tangela, use tickle."

(Finally! Like oh my God, I love being able to use this attack, and I never get to! I really want to use it on Snorunt!) Tangela giggled, before making a lunge towards Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur dodge it!"

Nodding in agreement, Bulbasaur sidestepped to it's left, but was quickly stopped in it's tracks by one of Tangela's vines.

"Good snag, Tangela, nice Constrict attack. Now tickle it!" Tangela nodded, using one of her many vines to tickle Bulbasaur's belly, while another vine kept her from moving. Bulbasaur, in an effort to keep a straight face, look like she was fighting for air.

"Bulbasaur, try to hit Tangela with your Vine Whip to escape!" Gasping for air, Bulbasaur whipped her vines back slamming Tangela between the eyes, staggering Tangela back slightly.

(Psst, hey, Chatot, don't you think this is kinda hot?) Sandshrew whispered, trying to make sure Charmander didn't hear.

(Is water wet?) Chatot snickered, eyes fixed straight on the two ladies whipping each other on the battlefield.

(How 'bout you, Sheriff? I reckon it tickle's yer fancy,) Sandshrew whispered, this time directing his comments towards the snow cone of justice.

(Y'all better believe it, Pardner,) Snorunt murmured back.

(I'm sleeping good tonight!) Sandshrew cheered, a little louder than he wanted. This caused Charmander to turn around.

(You guys are pigs,) she sighed.

"Bulbasaur, Take Down!"

(As you wish,) Bulbasaur replied simply, and began chargin at Tangela.

"Melanie, why are you trying to taunt me? What does telling me 'as you wish' even accomplish?" Sakura accused, surprising Melanie greatly.

"I didn't say anything!" she defended, quickly glancing over at Chris for a reaction. He looks pale… what does he know?

Suddenly, Melanie was broke from her mental vacation. Tangela was struck by the Take Down and sent flying straight back towards her landing with a thud.

"Tangela! Are you okay? I'm so sorry; I was distracted. I'm so sorry it's no excuse, but I'm sorry," Melanie murmured, upset at herself for that rookie mistake. What kind of trainer loses her concentration looking at the ref? she thought, kicking herself mentally.

(Not that you'll understand this, but I forgive you, Melanie. I have a new trick for you too,) Tangela muttered. She turned back towards her trainer, nodded, and turned around. Her body began to glow an off silver colour, and she launched a silver ball directly at Bulbasaur, scoring a direct hit on the surprised seed Pokémon. Bulbasaur stood there for a fleeting moment, before slumping to the ground defeated.

"Bulbasaur is unable to battle! Tangela is the victor!" Chris cheered, raising up his left arm as if it were a flag.

"You did it Tangela!" Melanie cheered, hugging her starter Pokémon. I'm ready now, she thought to herself. She watched as Sakura withdrew her Bulbasaur, a look of sorrow on her face, before slowly walking towards her.

"That was a good match, Melanie. I can tell I have more work to do to become stronger," Sakura said, a somber smile on her face. "I take it you want me to leave now, since you won?"

"You can stay here tonight, it's too late to go anywhere now," Melanie replied, extending her hand towards Sakura. Sakura looked surprised for a minute, before grabbing her hand and shaking it, flashing Melanie a small smile.

"Hey, Mel, great news! Look at Tangela!" Chris cheered, pointing her in the direction of her starter. She was glowing.

"No… why… why is she doing this?! She can't do this!" Melanie screamed. Her eyes started welling up with tears. This wasn't supposed to happen. She promised

"Melanie, Tangela evolves when it learns Ancient Power. What move did you think it used?" Chris asked, a puzzled tone to his voice.

"She can't! She can't! Tangela please you can't! You promised!" she screamed, running to hug her Pokémon, no longer fighting back the tears. Squeezing on tight, she hoped, prayed, that this would stop the evolution. She can't evolve into that…

"Melanie, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Chris demanded, obvious concern echoing though his words.

"Tangela, please! Tangela, stop! You promised you wouldn't do this! TANGELA!" Melanie screamed, before passing out completely.

(I… can't… evolve… must fight... won't evolve… can't evolve…)

"That Tangela… it's talk-" Sakura tried to utter, before she passed out too.

(I WILL NOT EVOLVE!) Tangela boomed. As if on command, the light of evolution began to dissipate. Tangela stood there momentarily, before racing to the side of her no fallen trainer.

"What in the bloody hell is going on? Snorunt, check on Sakura!" Chris yelled at his loyal ice type, who nodded hastily.

"Melanie, wake up! Wake up!"

(Boss, do we have to do this now? Those kids look like they just went through hell.)

(Of course, now is the best time to get our revenge. Two of the humans are out cold, and the one we really want revenge on is the only one up. Now is the perfect time to get our revenge on him and his little lizard.)

(If you insist, Boss…) the first voice responded, a little disappointed that it was going to down like this.

(Boss, I have to agree. I'm not sure how fond I am of all these underhanded tactics. Tricking another Pokémon to attack them is one thing, but kicking them while they're down…) chimed in a third voice, echoing the sentiment.

(You two are cowards. We attack at once!) declared the leader. How did I get stuck with these guys, and since when were they all self-righteous?

(You Mankey never learn, do you?)

(Who do you think you are? What are you going to do to stop us?) challenged the Mankey leader, a sly grin beginning to form on his monkey-like face.

(I'm a Pokémon far stronger than you three numbskulls could ever hope to be. If you so much as step within five feet of that camp, I will personally send the three of you to the moon. Consider that your warning.)

(Where are you coward? Only cowards hide in the shadows of the night!) screamed the Mankey leader, the veins on his forhead beginning to pop.

(Take's one to know one,) the mysterious voice chuckled.

(That's it! You're going down,) the leader Mankey hollered, charging into the darkness where the voice had come from. There was nothing there; it was gone.

(What should we do, Boss?) asked one of his cronies, clearly shaking at the thought of the moon.

(We'll retreat, for now. But mark my words, one day that wimp won't have a little guardian angel, and then it's game over for him!) he cackled. I am going to end you, Chris!

The night was cold; it was quiet. Chris sat alone on a rock outside of their tents. Since Sakura passed out before she could set up a tent, Chris stuck her in his. He had released Bulbasaur, and Natu, and got them to help him gather up her sleeping bag and other supplies, and with some help had managed to tuck Sakura into a bad without disturbing her.

On the topic of that Natu… how did it know who I was?

Flashback…

"Greeting vessel of whirlpools, I am humbled by your very presence. It pleases me that I'm able to be apart of the journey."

"You're that Natu? Why are we speaking telepathically? And for that matter, how did you know who I am?"

"My master has spoken in great detail about the powers of the Valiant Hearts. I joined the vessel of rainbows to experience them in great detail," replied the Natu.

"What do you mean vessel of rainbows?" Chris asked. Does he mean Sakura?

"In due time, Chris. Start the match, the girls are beginning to stare."

End Flashback…

(Hey, Chris. You okay?)

His small lizard companion broke Chris from his trance. She had a sad smile on her face.

"Yeah, I'm good. Everything today happened so suddenly. Melanie, Sakura, the battle… Tangela's attempted evolution…" Chris tailed off. Melanie had dropped a lot of bombshells today, but nothing quite like that. Her reaction to Tangela trying to evolve scared him, more than anything else that had happened today. Just what is so bad about Tangrowth? It's a good Pokémon, Chris mentally noted.

(Yeah, that was hard to watch. Tangles is being surprisingly tight lipped about it, which is unlike her. She seems to be doing okay, but she's worried about Melanie. I finally convinced her to leave her side and get some sleep. Speaking of which, where are you sleeping?)

"That's a good question. Sakura is in my tent. Where am I going to sleep?" Chris pondered, slowly realizing that the ground by this rock was starting to sound really really good.

(That's kinda one of the reasons I came over. I think you should stay in Melanie's tent tonight, and Tangela agrees. You guys both have tents big enough for both of you and all of us Pokémon, prior to Sakura's arrival anyway. You humans are kind of weird about this boy-girl thing. Snorunt and I have been sleeping in the same tent for months and nobody is sounding alarms,) Charmander chuckled.

"That's a little different, Charm. That being said, I think you're right. We can all fit in there," Chris decided.

(Well actually, Chris, Bulbasaur thought it might be neat to get to know the others and has invited us to all sleep over in your tent. It's kinda like a Pokémon slumber party I guess. I really want Tangles to be able to go, she's taking this Melanie thing hard, but she won't go unless someone is in the tent watching her. Please, Chris? I promise I'll keep Chatot and Sandshrew in line! Nobody will disturb Sakura either! I promise you can count on me) Charmander pleaded.

This surprised Chris a little bit; Charmander had never tried to pull a stunt like this before. He knew she was a young Pokémon still, but she always acted so mature for her age. I guess I forget sometimes, because she acts so grown up a lot. She's just excited to have new friends around. Oh wait!

"You're excited to be reunited with Bulbasaur, aren't you Charm?" he asked, finally realizing the ulterior motives of his starter. Her sapphire eyes were positively sparkling now.

(I am, Chris. Before you came along, Bulbasaur and Squirtle were my closest friends,) she exclaimed, before her expression drooped a bit. (Do you think I'll ever get to see Squirtle again?)

"I know so, Charmander. We'll see him sooner than you think I bet," he smiled, hoping it to be true for his Pokémon's sake.

(So, Chris, does that mean we can go? The others all want to go too, even Chatot!) she exclaimed, a fact that didn't surprise Chris. I could hear the comments from the group of them during the grass battle, he mentally sighed.

"Of course you guys can. Be safe, okay? And do not wake Sakura!"

(I promise we won't! Thank Chris!) she cheered, quickly hugging his leg before running off, clearly in a hurry to tell the others she was successful.

"I guess I should make my way to bed myself," Chris sighed, walking towards Melanie's tent. Peaking his head inside, he could see his sleeping bag and pillow already set up. They really planned ahead on this one, he thought to himself. Slowly, he slipped himself into his bag, but not before taking a glance at Melanie. I really hope she's going to be okay.

(My Father was a Tangrowth.)

Chris craned his head towards the entrance to the tent, where Tangela now stood. Her eyes, usually fairly vibrant and excited, were clouded with sorrow. Chris knew that what she was telling him had to be important.

"Does your father belong to Melan-"

(Yes. My Father is a Pokémon that belongs to Melanie's Father,) Tangela replied, her voice weak. Chris had never seen Tangela this way, now fully understanding why Charm wanted her to go to this slumber party.

"Is that why she didn't want you to evolve?" Chris asked in an attempt to quickly connect the dots. Tangela shook her head, her vines flailing around as if it were windy tonight.

(When Melanie was old enough to attempt to resist her Father, she would often use my Father to…) Tangela's whispered, her voice slowly dying as she spoke.

"To?" Chris pushed, trying to get the information out of Tangela. He knew this was of grave importance.

(…Hold her down,) Tangela choked, before she turned away, as if she couldn't face Chris anymore. Chris couldn't believe it was possible to hate Melanie's Father anymore than he had been today, but Tangela's news broke the dam. I'm going to kill that Bastard! Chris decided, before he was jolted back to reality by Tangela.

(Please, Chris, take care of her tonight. I know it's not completely my fault, but I feel guilty. I promised her I'd never evolve, and I almost did today. I'm the reason she passed out.)

"Tangela, you saved her. She told me that. You stood up to her Father and yours in an effort to save Melanie. You used a new attack today to help Melanie win her match. I don't think you're the reason she passed out today. Today as a whole was overwhelming for her, so I think it all just added up and resulted in that. Go have fun with your friends, or try to anyway. I promise I'll look after her tonight," Chris said simply.

(Thank you, Chris. Please know, Melanie has never been happier than she has been in the past few months. Thank you for giving her what she needed most,) Tangela said, before turning around and making her way to other tent.

That Pokémon is surely going to torment Snorunt tonight, unless Sakura's Natu tickles her fancy too, Chris thought to himself. Speaking of whom… Just what did he mean earlier? And why did Sakura faint too? She said something about Tangela talking and then… Wait a second that means…

"So you've figured it out then?" Chris looked over at his bag, which was now glowing with a faint silver light. Quietly, Chris reached into his bag, and pulled out his Silver Crystal.

"Lugia, long time no talk. Was I hearing this earlier, or did Sakura say that Tan-"

"No, you weren't," Lugia stated matter of factly. "It's come and gone for a few days now, but it finally clicked for her during that match. She was ignoring it at first, figuring she was hearing things"

"So that means that she-"

"Yes, Chris. Sakura is a Valiant Heart."