Hey, everyone. Sorry for the impromptu hiatus. Things just got really busy all of a sudden for me, and I haven't found too much time until recently. But, hopefully I can get back into it, and I will make sure to be more responsible with letting you know when I need to take some time off.

Also, I apologize for the shorter chapter, especially after the long wait. I feel I tend to write better for Pokémon I like more. Not that I don't like any Pokémon, I love them all - I just like some more than others.

Thanks for understanding, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 5: Things the Tides Bring

Oh, the feeling of finally being able to swim in waters beyond Mt. Quena. Of course, it wasn't nearly as pure, but to Psyducktwo, that didn't matter; all he cared about was being able to enjoy the waves of the waters of a new location. And that location was...well, Psyducktwo didn't know, but he also didn't care. He was just glad to be swimming freely.

He was swimming on the surface of the water for a while before he decided to take a dive under. And he marveled at what he saw.

Psyducktwo was greeted with the sight of many new Pokémon that lived underwater, several of which he had never seen before. Though, there were some that he was familiar with, like Seadra and Gyarados. At the thought of Seadratwo and Gyaradostwo, Psyducktwo wondered how they were doing.

He observed how all of these aquatic Pokémon swam around and lived their lives, completely astounded that he was lucky enough to be able to see this. "Hopefully, I can find a place around here to settle down, so I can continue to enjoy this..."

As soon as he said that, he caught sight of what appeared to be an island just a little while away. "Huh, wouldn't you know? Maybe I can look there," Psyducktwo said as he began to swim towards the island.

Before long, he arrived at the shore and walked up onto the beach. These were Psyducktwo's first steps on land since he left the mountain. He had landed in the water, so he had been swimming the whole time until now. He walked past the beach before approaching a berry bush and helping himself. "Hmm...these are actually good..." he said with his mouth full.

"Yeah, they are!" A female voice said from behind him. Psyducktwo turned around to see a Pokémon that resembled Dewgongtwo, but smaller. She came up to him by pushing herself forward with her flippers. "I'm guessing you're new to these parts, since you seem to be new to these berries. Are you?"

Psyducktwo was a little surprised by her energy, but he replied so as to not be rude. "Oh, y-yeah I am." He then asked a question that he hoped wouldn't make him look stupid. "Uh...what's your name?"

"Never met one of us before, have you?" The mini-Dewgong giggled, "I'm a Seel! Nice to meet you!" She smiled brightly.

Psyducktwo was glad that the first Pokémon he was really meeting outside of the mountain was being so friendly towards him. "Seel? I like that name. It's nice to meet you, too!" She giggled again.

"So, are you just passing through, or are you planning on sticking around?" She asked before grabbing a berry for herself and digging in.

"I'm not sure yet..." Psyducktwo said as he ate another berry. He didn't know if he wanted to stay here, as he wasn't too familiar with the rest of the island, and he had only just met one single Pokémon since he'd arrived. Sure, she was nice to him. But, could he trust her?

"Well," Seel said with her mouth full, "this island is really nice, whether you leave or stay. Pokémon say nice things about it either way." She took a break from eating to explain some more. "For example, there was a Tentacruel who passed through and stayed for a couple of days while he was heading west. He said he really liked it, and would definitely like to come back. I hope he does.

There was also a large bird Pokémon that was making a very long journey to the Sinnoh Region, but he stopped here for a break and also enjoyed it." Seek then looked down, with a slightly saddened look on her face. "Though, if I'm being real with you..." she said slowly, "not many Pokémon stay. They usually all have places to get to and just stop here for a break. And I gotta say..." Psyducktwo felt like he knew what she was going to say.

"...it feels like you don't have any opportunities to make any new, real friends?" Seek looked up at him, surprised that he was able to guess that so quickly.

"Yeah. Was it that obvious?" She asked a bit shyly.

"A little, but honestly it was mostly a wild guess," Psyducktwo giggled. "But, aren't there Pokémon here who you can make friends with?"

"Yes, but really we're just kinda acquaintances. Most of them are older than me, and I can't really connect with them on anything. Whenever we talk, it's really just a 'hello, how are you doing?' kinda conversation." Seel took a deep breath and looked out over the water.

Psyducktwo couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. She really didn't seem to be able to build any real connections on this island. "What about outside the island? How far out have you been?" He wanted to see if she had ever gone far enough to find a different place to make friends.

"Unfortunately, not very far," she explained, "It's a bit of a trek to the place the humans call 'Cinnabar Island,' and I really don't think I could make that long of a journey." She then looked over herself. "I think I would have to wait until I evolve into a Dewgong to swim that far. Problem is, I can't really battle anyone, since most others here are at my skill level."

Psyducktwo thought about it for a minute. This Pokémon really seemed to want to make some genuine connections, but was being held back by her strength. He was still a little wary about trusting her, but then a realization hit him - he and others left their confinement on the mountain in order to fit into the outside world. And how was he to do that without giving others chances?

"I can help you," he stated.

"Huh?" Seel asked, not quite sure she'd heard that right.

"If you want to get stronger, I'd be more than willing to help you," he said with a smile. "I'm an alright battler, so if you want a sparring buddy..."

"You would do that?" Seel asked, hopefully.

"Yeah! I myself haven't been the best at...making new friends as of late, soooo...I think this could work well for the both of us! We could help each other!"

Seel looked at him for a moment before jumping forward and wrapping her flippers around Psyducktwo in a hug. "Thank you!"

Psyducktwo was surprised at first. Hugs weren't exactly a common thing amongst the clones, even though they did feel a sense of closeness amongst each other. After a few moments, though, he wrapped one arm around her and patted her back.

"You're welcome," he told her.

After a minute, they broke the hug and Seel spoke. "Well, I feel like getting a bit of exercise," she said while stretching her fins out. "Wanna join me for a swim, new friend?"

At the thought of being called a friend by a real Pokémon, Psyducktwo couldn't help but smile. "Sure, let's go!"

On their way to the water, Psyducktwo realized that from this day forward, he was just a normal Psyduck. Nor more of this "two" business, he thought to himself. As he and Seel arrived to the waterfront, they looked to admire the great blue before them. Taking a deep breath, they yelled in happiness and freedom as they jumped right in.

Little did they know that on the other side of the island, there was a boat with some people on it surveying the area.