We were currently on a ship, sailing towards Slateport City. We had been sailing for a few days and tomorrow morning, we would arrive.

Jason, Megan, and myself were currently out on the deck of the ship, looking out at the ocean. Pikachu and Eevee were on the deck beside us and a few other people were outside, walking around.

"So when my dad was traveling across Hoenn, on his way to Slateport City, there was an old ruined ship that he and his friends came across." I said.

"I remember that story. Too bad that we probably won't see the old ship, since this ship won't be stopping by there." said Megan.

"Yeah, it would be cool and an adventure for sure."

"What's the story?" Jason asked.

"So they explored the abandoned ship when they were traveling. While there, they were suddenly experiencing some weird occurrences." I continued.

"They ran into Team Rocket while there, too. But my mom ended up being captured with some of the others and next thing she knows, she's hanging upside-down. She's separated from the others, wrapped in spider webs, it's dark, and she doesn't know who or what got her." Megan added, and we kept going back and forth with pieces of the story.

"It turned out that the abandoned ship was being inhabited by a Swampert that had been abandoned accidentally by Tommy, a guy they met while exploring. And Spinaraks had captured the others on the command of Swampert."

"Thankfully, in the end, Swampert was reunited with his trainer and it was a happy ever after."

"Still, when I first heard this story, I remember thinking that it was spooky. They must have been scared."

"I remember thinking the same thing when my mom told me. I mean, you're just a kid and then you're suddenly lost and away from your friends! You're wrapped in webs and helpless!"

Jason shook his head. "That's really something. Too bad we can't see it for ourselves."

"Right? It would've been cool, minus the Spinaraks."

A small silence passed over us as we all looked out at the water.

As I stared out at the water, I remembered what my dad had told me about my Aura in Dewford Town and how his friends had accepted him when he revealed his Aura to them. But I was still worried that my own friends wouldn't accept me for who I was. I had been waiting for the right moment to tell Jason and Megan. Now seemed like as good of a time as any, but I was still worried and afraid of how they would react. Summoning my courage and taking a reassuring breath, I broke the silence.

"Guys? You know how I've been away from our camps in the mornings while we've been on the road? I...I haven't been truthful about why I've left early during those mornings." I said.

I now had both of their attentions and they were looking at me, waiting for me to continue.

"The truth is...I've been secretly practicing how to control and utilize my Aura during those mornings. My Aura powers are something that I've had ever since my first journey when they were unleashed by accident. And because it's a part of me, I can't just ignore it and pretend that they aren't there.

"I also lied about the incident with Paul when he almost killed us at Granite Cave. I lied about being unconscious with you both and not knowing how Paul was defeated. The truth is...my Aura was unleashed and protected us. It was my emotions that controlled it that day. That's how Paul and Team Rocket were really defeated.

"Listen, I've hated lying to you, but if you both knew the truth, I was scared that you would possibly start acting differently towards me or treat me differently. The ability to use Aura is a rare art nowadays and so many people are scared about the little-known powers. Jason, you're the only one to see my Aura in action, but you never knew about my training...until now.

"I didn't want to tell you both the truth, because of what happened to Paul. I can't properly control my powers yet and I'm afraid of them going out of my control and hurting you or destroying something. I'd never forgive myself if you or anyone else got hurt because of me!"

"Well, I understand why you lied, Adam. You were afraid of how we would react. But you should've known better than to doubt us. We trust you and will always be here for you. Nothing will ever change that. So you have powers? You're still like my brother and I'm not going anywhere just because of this." Jason said.

"Exactly. I understand why you lied. But you need to be able to trust that nothing will tear us apart. We're a team and we're friends, no matter what." Megan added.

"But...what if I can't control my powers again and you end up getting hurt? I don't want you to get hurt on my account if I can help it." I asked, worried.

"Yes, but until it arises, there's no need to cause you any more concern and worry. You're working on improving your skills and once you master them, you'll be able to help us out even more, especially against Team Rocket." Jason said.

I sighed in relief. It felt good, not having to lie to my friends anymore. My dad was right. They were my real friends and they accepted me. I shouldn't have been so worried that they wouldn't. I should've known that the people that I choose to travel with are always true friends. Megan and Jason then shared a group hug with me, bringing a smile to me face.

Megan's POV

As morning came, we docked in Slateport City and everyone left the ship.

"Wow, there are so many ships and factories here in the harbor." I said in awe.

"Slateport City is Hoenn's main seaport and the location where most of their ships are built." Jason explained.

We started walking through the city, heading towards the Pokemon Center so that we could get a room for the time that we were going to be staying in the city.

"Slateport City was where my mom first competed in a contest. It's also where her and my dad first met." I said, remembering the tale.

"My mom was practicing with Beautifly with a frisbee...and it kinda went further than she intended and my dad caught it. He then came over to my mom and, like my dad is, he was cocky and arrogant towards her. It wasn't a typical first meeting." I said with a laugh.

"Well, that's one way to meet your future husband." Jason said.

"It's no wonder May didn't like him right away. My parents' first meeting was a lot more amicable than that." Adam commented. "But it shows that opposites attract and that your mom changed him over time."

"Did she, though?" I questioned, as I remembered all the trouble that my parents were facing right now in their relationship. "I guess my parents' love just wasn't meant to be, given that they're probably heading for a divorce. I always knew that many girls liked my dad, so I guess he never could've settled down, at least not for good."

I didn't want to believe it, but I was beginning to. The evidence was right in front of me and in the months since leaving home, my mom hadn't informed me of anything getting better between her and my dad.

Adam and Jason frowned. My carefree, happy mood was dampened as I thought of home. Thinking of home wasn't happy thoughts for me anymore.

"I hope that things aren't going bad, since May has another baby on the way. I hate seeing you sad like this, Megan. It reminds me of seeing my other friend, Michelle, sad when she found out who her father was. I don't want you to see your family torn apart." Adam said.

"My dad was the same way at one point, but he settled down. So I hope that there's something missing from what we know about Drew's situation and that things aren't how they seem." Jason added.

I knew that the boys could see that I was starting to lose all hope of things ever being fixed between my mom and dad. How could I not? Still, I was glad that they still believed that everything would turn out alright, even if my belief was beginning to fail.

As we entered the Pokemon Center, a head of emerald green hair caught my attention.

"April!"

My sister turned and saw me and walked over.

"Hey, Sis. There's a contest next week." April said, pointing to a poster on the wall.

I looked at it and my eyes widened in surprise.

"It's a double performance contest, meaning that each coordinator will use two Pokemon for the appeals and two more for the battles." I read.

I frowned and looked at April. She also had a worried look on her face. Both of us only had three Pokemon each and that meant that we both needed one more to be able to compete in the contest!

"How about you two go look for a Pokemon and Jason and I will check in and get a room?" Adam suggested.

"Thanks, guys." I said.

And with that, April and I left the Pokemon Center, heading north of Slateport City, out into a forest. Eevee trotted along between us.

"This is where Mom first began competing in Pokemon contests." I said.

"Yeah. So I think she'd be proud if one of us won the contest here next week. Our win will be for her." April replied.

As we walked along, I realized something. April hadn't teased me once since seeing me again. I wasn't complaining, but I couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't made one single remark yet. I didn't question her, but I assumed that maybe I had gained some respect from my older sister, since I had beaten her in the last contest.

After a while of walking, we came across a small field of brightly-colored flowers. In the distance, I saw a Beautifly flying around the tops of the flowers while a Roselia was relaxing in the sunshine amongst the flowers.

"Two Pokemon that Mom and Dad had. It would be fitting if we caught them." I said.

"Yeah, it would! I've always wanted a Roselia of my own." April added.

"Let's go, Torchic!" I cried, tossing my Pokeball.

"Treecko, go!" April cried.

"Use Ember!" I cried. Having the type advantage against Beautifly would help me.

"Absorb!" April cried.

Within a few moments, I had caught Beautifly and April was quick to follow with capturing Roselia.

I tossed Beautifly's Pokeball and removed my Pokedex.

"Beautifly, the Butterfly Pokemon and the evolved form of Silcoon. It loves sweet pollen and riding the spring breeze from flower to flower. However, despite its beautiful appearance, it can be very aggressive when provoked."

I also sprayed a Potion on Beautifly to heal her some until I could get back to the Pokemon Center.

April was spraying Roselia for her wounds and removed her own Pokedex.

"Roselia, the Thorn Pokemon and the evolved form of Budew. Roselia's relaxing aroma can bring a feeling of serenity, making its foes careless. The stronger this aroma, the healthier Roselia is. However, the thorns in its flowers can shoot out a vicious poison. If Roselia is raised on nutritionally rich springwater, it will grow vividly colored flowers."

Maybe coming across two of the Pokemon that our parents caught is a sign that maybe not all hope is lost, concerning their relationship. Maybe their marriage can be saved! I mean, since when do two sisters in the same place come across the exact same Pokemon that our parents caught at the same time? This HAS to mean something! I thought to myself.

"We now have four Pokemon! We can enter the contest! We should head back to the city and register for the contest." April said as she returned Roselia and stood up.

"Yeah, we should." I agreed, returning Beautifly.

We headed back towards the city.

"You know, your battle against Beautifly was great. You've improved a lot since our first contest." April commented.

"Thanks. Your Treecko has improved a lot, too."

I still couldn't get over the fact that April was being nice to me. It was a nice change, since we hadn't always gotten along this well with one another in the past. But still, why was she? Was it because I'd gained her respect? Or was it because she knew something and was preparing me for it by being nice? My curiosity was just too great, so I had to ask her.

"April, why are you being so nice to me?" I asked.

"Being in Slateport City and thinking about mom and dad's time spent here made me remember the current strain that they're having on their marriage. But it also made me realize that no matter what happens to our parents, I'll always have you. I'll always be your sister and I'll love you and be there for you, no matter what. Even if they end up getting a divorce, it will never take away the fact that we're sisters, and we always will be.

"And...being away from you while traveling has made me realize just how much I miss having you around, which makes any time we do spend together feel special. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as the saying goes. I never realized how much I missed you...until you weren't around anymore." she added, sheepishly.

It wasn't often that April was so honest and vulnerable with me. But hearing her say all of those words made me feel happy. I was really touched. I had always admired April for being fearless and bolder while growing up. And now that I had grown up a little during my journey, I had to admit that I did miss my sister. We had taken each other for granted while growing up. We were too mean to one another and didn't spend nearly as much time bonding as we should have.

I could see that this was the first step to growing closer to my sister, to strengthen our bond. I knew that if my parents did end up divorcing, April would be the closest family that I'd have left and she would always be there for me, no matter what. So I decided at that moment to always be there for her, too...because we're family and that's what families do.

"I've missed you, too, Sis." I said, slinging my arm over her shoulder.

She smiled and squeezed my hand as we walked side by side.

Author's Note: Adam comes clean to his friends about wanting to control, practice, and utilize his Aura. Thankfully, Jason and Megan are very understanding, despite the danger that using such powers could cause.

After arriving in Slateport City, Megan meets her sister and they both catch a new Pokemon in order to enter the upcoming contest. Plus, Megan and April's relationship appears to be changing for the better!

Who will win the contest? How will the sisters fare with their new Pokemon? And where will their once rocky relationship go from here?

Find out in the next episode of Pokemon NG!