Author's note: GAAAAAAAASP- BIG NEWS, GUYS!

I made it into the "Pokémon's best of the best" Community! Thank you so much for supporting my story and letting my story into it! It's amazing that people think this story is great! I'll try my best to make the best story I can possibly make!

Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter 23: Promises

Aeon and Arven were both sitting next to each other inside of a cave- and Arven was cooking something. Using his frying pan and portable furnace he kept inside his backpack, he was cooking four pieces of skillet chicken. Skwovet was skittering around the food, eying it with a drooling mouth. Aeon was watching the raw meat turn into a crisp brown- Arven proceeded to add several spices and herbs onto the chicken. Aeon glanced at his robot sibling.

"Want a taste?" Arven asked.

Aeon looked up at him. "There's no need to feed me. I do not feel hunger-" He said.

"Can you still taste things?"

"Yes, but-"

"But nothing! I'll dish it for you."

"Arven-"

Arven went into his open backpack behind him and took out a plate. Then, he pulled out tongs, grabbed the meat with it and placed it on the plate. He then handed it to Aeon.

"Try it," Arven insisted.

"I…"

Arven motioned with his free hand at the chicken then back at Aeon. "Just try it," He said. He put the plate down in front of him and turned back to cooking. As the sound of frying meat filled the air, Aeon stared at the piece of meat.

"I…" Aeon muttered. "It… It will make you happy, yes?"

Arven narrowed his eyes. "We've really got to talk about this 'it will make you happy' stuff.'"

"What do you mean?"

"You're making yourself sound like some sort of tool!" Arven said this as he put another piece of chicken on the dish and placed it for Skwovet. Skwovet leapt for joy and began eating.

"You don't understand," Aeon said,

"No, you don't!"

"Please, listen. I cannot eat for the sake of eating- I am a robot, not a human being. I am not like you, and I never will be." Aeon pushed the plate away. "You do not need to worry about feeding me. I am simply here to make sure that you are happy- that is all. It would be more efficient to-"

"Yeah, yeah, blah, blah blah, just take the food, ya' idiot! I know that you won't actually become hungry or anything but I'm not feeding you for the sake of feeding you. I'm feeding you because I want to… I-.. Hm. it's hard to explain…"

Aeon raised his eyebrows in curiosity.

"Listen," Arven said, "Whenever I get a new Pokémon, the first thing I do to earn its trust is give it food. Feeding it helps me build bonds with them. It's my way of saying that I can and am willing to take care of that Pokémon. Understand? I know you're not a Pokémon, but I'd do this for literally anyone I care about."

"I see," Aeon said. "There are people in this world that give affection by doing certain things. Some use touch, others use their words, but you… you use food, don't you?"

"I mean… I guess?"

"I see. Then… I'll happily accept this food," Aeon took the plate and eyed the meat before taking it with one hand and biting into it. The moment his tongue touched the meat, his eyes widened with surprise.

"This- This chicken is…amazing..!" Aeon cried.

"Of course it is! I made it!" Arven cried.

Time passed as Aeon ate the chicken, he even asked for another piece, and Arven smiled and handed him another. The older brother's smile deepened as he saw Aeon bounce with joy as he bit into the chicken.

"I had no idea that food could taste this good…" Aeon said.

"Again, it's because I made it," Arven said.

"That makes sense," Aeon said. "Thank you very much for the food."

"You're welcome."

"I'm glad I was able to make you happy," Aeon said.

Arven narrowed his eyes in annoyance, then sighed. "I know you ate the food because you wanted to make me happy, but when you say it like that, it reminds me of how you said, 'I'm only here to make you happy'. Like it's your only purpose in life."

"It is."

"Well, it shouldn't be! I get that you're programmed to love me and all, but that shouldn't be your only motivation for living. You have to live for yourself. Not just for me. You aren't just a tool!"

Aeon said nothing, he just watched Arven with curiously raised eyebrows.

"Basically," Arven continued, "I don't ever want to hear you say 'I'm only here to make you happy' junk ever again!" Aeon said. "Say that line one more time, and I'll turn you into scrap metal, you hear?"

"If you were to do that, I would be very sad."

"No- I was being sarcastic!"

"I see. Then I shouldn't take what you said seriously."

"No- moron! I meant what I said!"

"So, you will turn me into scrap metal?"

"I'm not going to turn you into scrap metal! Do you not know what sarcasm is?"

"No."

Arven put his hands on his face. "Are you serious…?"

"Arven?"

"What?!"

"I'm being sarcastic."

Arven's eyes widened, then he glared furiously as Aeon smiled at his older brother. Arven raised his tongs and threw it right at Aeon's head, the sound of metal clashing with one another rang in the air as the tongs ricocheted and flew right to the sender's head.

Aeon started to laugh as Arven groaned in pain and rubbed his head.

"I'm gonna get you back for that, little squirt..!" Arven cried. "Tch…!"

Aeon was grinning from ear to ear.

Kai and Mela were standing face to face in the middle of the crowd of team star grunts, and Kai was visibly tired, not because of the fight they had moments earlier, it was because he had to pry Nemona off of him. The prying turned into play-fighting very quickly, and because of Nemona being…Nemona.

Kai had a hard time, but had finally won the battle after a bit. Quaxly was back into his ball, and so was nowhere in sight.

"Kai," Mela said, "I've decided I'm going to give you something, Hey, guys!" Mela turned her head to the grunts. "This isn't a command, since we don't do that here, but could someone go get the thing for me?"

All the team star grunt members exchanged glances.

"The thing..?" One of them asked.

"Yes, the thing!" Mela said. "Y'know," She motioned with her hands and drew the shape of an egg with her fingers.

"Ooooh!" Another person said. "That thing?"

"Yeah!"

"Ooooohhhh….I have no idea what you're talking abou-"

"The Egg."

"Why didn't you just say so, boss?!"

"Because I wanted it to be a surprise!" Mela cried. "Gosh, I thought we rehearsed this. Anyway, someone go get it, if you want. If not, I'll just get it myself-"

"I'll go get it!" One grunt cried.

"No, I'll get it!" Another cried.

"No, I'll get it for Mela!" A third cried.

The rest of the grunts started fighting for who would go get the egg.

Mela sighed and turned to Kai. "Just a second, I'll grab it-"

"Wait, wait. Y-You're going to give me an egg?" Kai asked. "Why? You really don't have to-"

"It's a symbol of our friendship," Mela said. "Besides, I'd feel bad if you left empty handed."

"I feel bad, though."

"Don't be," Mela said, shaking her head. "I want to give you this."

"Okay. Thanks, I appreci-"

"TIIINKAAAA!"

Tinkatuff, with her hammer sheathed on her back, came running in carrying the very confused Pawmo over her head. She quickly tossed the electric mouse Pokémon at Kai and the creature bounced off trainer's legs before laying on his back in front of him.

"Wha-" Kai said.

"TIINKAAA!" Tinkatuff started pointing at the Pawmo again and again, picked up a pebble and tossed it at the Pawmo.

"Wh-" Kai looked perplexed. " What are you even-"

"TIIINKAAA!" Tinkatuff started hopping up and down, pointing at the Pawmo who looked up at him with sincere confusion.

"P-Pawmo..?" Pawmo muttered.

"Oh yeah!" Nemona said, walking in with an empty Pokéball. "I forgot to catch that thing! There we go!" Nemona tossed the ball at Pawmo.

Tinkatuff leapt and smacked the airborne Pokéball away with her hammer. "TINKA! TINKA-TINKATUFF!" Tinkatuff started screaming after landing, glaring furiously at the now grinning Nemona.

"Heh, I knew that'd rile you up for a battle! you wanna fight, huh, Tinkatuff?!" Nemona cried. "Well, c'mon! I'm down!"

Tinkatuff rushed after Nemona, bellowing a warcry. The pink Pokémon leapt into the air with her hammer raised as Nemona entered a battle stance. Right before they clashed, Kai looked away, and heard grunting and sounds of struggling from the two combatants.

Kai looked down at the Pawmo, who blinked. Kai crouched and picked up the little creature.

"You look as confused as I am," Kai said.

"Pawmo.." Pawmo muttered.

"Yeaah- I think Tinkatuff's scary, too."

Clive approached the boy and the electric type.

"I believe the Tinkatuff wants you to catch that Pawmo," Clive said.

"Ooooh," Kai looked at the Pawmo. "Do you want to be caught, Pawmo?"

Pawmo shrugged.

"Hmm." Clive said, "In order for Tinkatuff to be that determined to have you catch that Pawmo, something about that little one must have caught her eye."

"Huh."

Kai looked at Pawmo's eyes, which were glistening in the sunlight.

"You seem like you don't care either way if you're caught or not," Kai said as he reached into his pocket. "I need variety on my team, anyway. And Tinkatuff can't help me because I have no gym badges, so in the ball you go."

Kai's Pokéball opened, and a beam of light shot out of it, grabbing and putting the Pawmo inside of it. After the ball shook in the trainer's hand three times, the Pokeball was sealed.

"Kai," Clive spoke up once again. "I need to ask you, are you planning to join Team Star?"

"Huh? Uh… no?"

"You haven't forgotten the plan, right?"

"The plan? Oh- right. Uh…" Kai scratched the back of his head. He was thinking twice about the idea now that Team Star turned out to not be as bad as he originally thought.

"Be sure to keep the plan in mind. Remember, Team Star is the reason why students aren't attending class. As a former teacher, I cannot stand for this."

"Y-Yeah…" Kai said.

"We will have to revisit this base and challenge her properly, so we can bring her down. Anywho, it seems that our business here with Mela has nearly concluded. I will be on my way. I am sure you and I will meet again," Clive smiled and nodded before turning away to leave.

"Hey- uh, Clive?"

Clive turned back. "Yes, Kai?"

"Thanks for everything."

"You're very welcome." Clive smiled before turning away to walk off all over again.

Kai turned to Nemona and Tinkatuff, who had kicked up a white dust cloud while fighting each other.

"Guys!" Kai shouted out, and the white dust cloud disappeared in an instant, revealing Tinkatuff on top of Nemona with her fist raised. Both human and Pokémon turned to Kai the moment he raised his voice. "I caught Pawmo, you can stop now."

"Aww maaaan!" Nemona sighed as Tinkatuff's eyes widened in happiness. She ran all the way to Kai with her hands aimed at the boy, and the pink Pokémon hugged her trainer by the legs.

Kai raised an eyebrow, then sighed.

"You're welcome, you Friggen' gremlin," Kai said, crouching and patting the tiny creature on the head. Tinkatuff looked up at him...and then bit his hand.

"OW!" Kai lurched in pain as Tinkatuff giggled.

Nemona, covered in dirt and bruises, walked up to Kai. "So," She said with a bright smile, "What're you gonna do now?"

"I have to challenge the bug-type gym," Kai said. "If my team gets any stronger, then I won't be able to control them. Especially that thing." Kai pointed at Tinkatuff, and pink Pokémon grinned before sticking out her tongue in defiance.

"Kai!" Mela cried out, and Kai turned around, seeing Mela. In her hands was a Egg inside of a glass incubator. She went to Kai and handed it to him. "There you go." She said. "That's my reward for you showing me your flame. Tell me, are you going to come and challenge us again?"

"I uh-..."

Kai wanted to say no, but then remembered what Clive said.

"...Yeah," Kai said. "I probably will."

Mela grinned. "I'll welcome the challenge. I don't mind having a high-stakes match with you. I'm no sore loser. If I i lose my title, then I lose my title. As long as there's others around, the spirit of Team Star will never die."

Kai smiled. She was right. Mela offered her hand to Kai. "Let's fight each other again- for real, next time."

Kai grinned and nodded, taking her hand and shaking it. "Yeah-" He said. "Yeah, I'd like that." The two exchanged smiles one last time, and then Mela turned away.

"Take care," She said without turning back, walking toward the still bickering Team Star Group. "Guys," Mela said, "It's done, Kai has the egg."

"Aww maaan!" One grunt cried.

"Let's go get ready for the next challenger, I guess…" Another said. The team star group dispersed, looking very disheartened. Nemona giggled.

"Well, Kai, it's time for us to go for your first gym battle!"

Kai turned to Nemona.

"Oh boy, You're coming with me? Isn't that fun." Kai groaned.

Nemona ran up to Kai and put her arm around her friend's neck and grinned. Kai sighed and smiled to.

It's nice to have company.

Author's note:

Here's a removed scene that I wrote out for funzies when Nemona says 'It's time for us to go for your first Gym battle!' (I wanted to use it but it wouldn't have made sense in character for Kai to do this at that time)

"It's time for us to go for your first gym battle!" Pneumonia cried.

"Us?" Kai said. "What do you mean, 'Us'? You're not coming. Tinkatuff, send her to the moon."

Tinkatuff, who had her hammer on her back, grinned as she came closer to Nemona who was still smiling happily.

"Oh, Kai," Nemona said with a smile even as Tinkatuff approached her. "Even if you send me flying, I'll be BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—"

Nemona sent flying into the sky from Tinkatuff's attack, and disappeared after the sky twinkled.

-Later, Kai makes it to Cortondo-

Kai smiled. "Finally, we're here."

Someone tapped Kai's shoulder. Kai turned around.

"Hi Kai!" It was Nemona.

"WHAT?!"

Moral of the story, You cannot Escape Nemona. The only time you can is if she allows it.