TEAM: Squeakers (Rattata) & Arachnio (Spinarak), Geodon (Geodude) & Dandelion (Hoppip), Sectonia (Caterpie…?) & Count Blood (Zubat)

"Okay, we're almost there!"

Still holding Wesley's hand, Roko took a nice long sniff of that familiar breeze. Such humble outskirts were but a sample of what was to come, much like the Pokémon Daycare they were approaching. Still, such familiarity put a lively pep in her step, and she often giggled when she glanced back to see how surprised Wesley was at her energy.

She stopped at the door, letting Bouncy back in his ball as she watched Wesley's Pokémon gather curiously. Though she had to stop and blink at one member.

"Uh…" Last she checked, there was not a Butterfree where there was once a Caterpie. "Wait, was it you who hung back to fight all those wild Pokémon earlier?"

The offended look made it very clear that it was Sectonia. "Accusing me? Nonsense." The Butterfree pointed towards Count Blood, wings proudly fluttering as she did. "I simply tagged along with him."

The Zubat was perched on Arachnio, using a wing to pick at his teeth. "What? Those Drowzee were botherin' me." He huffed.

"Uh, neat," both her and Wesley admitted at the same time, before it was back to the Pokéballs for everybody.

It was the first Wesley had spoken up in a minute, so she blinked at him in surprise before clearing her throat. "Anyways!" She pulled a key out of her pocket and opened the daycare's door. It was like she never left, with the steps to the counter and the inner garden playpen looking just as she remembered it. An Eevee saw her coming in and jumped to the fence.

"Hiiiii, Roko!" The Eevee hung over the side of the fence, waving a paw before gasping. "Wait a minute, is that a boy?!" His grin quickly changed to a mischievous smirk. "I'm gonna tell Grammy and Grampy you brought home a boyfriend!"

"He's! Not my boyfriend!" Roko waved her hands with a flustered cry.

The Eevee pouted. "So what you're saying is that he's not your boyfriend yet."

"Definitely not!"

There was the smirk again. "Yet."

"Nooooo…" Roko wanted to throw her head into her hands. She could only imagine Wesley's reaction, so rather than facing him, she shut her eyes, turned on her heel, and gave him the most casual smile she could muster. "Please… don't mind Dreadwolf. He's… notoriously naughty."

Oh no, Wesley blinked in surprise. "Dreadwolf?" Oh good, it was just because of the name…

Roko didn't blame him for being flabbergasted at that part. How a cute little fluffcake like him would get that name would surprise anybody. "He's just very persistent on becoming an Umbreon someday."

"And can you blame me?" The Eevee held a paw to his fluffy chest before falling off the fence. He quickly shook himself off and repeatedly hopped for his position again. "Just! The! Other! Day! I heard that there were sightings of this cool looking Umbreon that could transform into a girl! One day, that will be me!"

Roko sighed. "He also has a very active imagination…"

She saw the pause in Wesley's expression before he raised an eyebrow at the Eevee. "Do you mean the Umbreon part or the girl part?"

Roko stifled a laugh at that. Dreadwolf pouted at him before sticking his tongue out, hopping over the fence and running off. There was a little Pokémon door that he took off towards.

"So… this Grammy and Grampy…"

Roko turned to Wesley with only slightly less embarrassment. "Yep, they're my guardians. We should probably find them before Dreadwolf does." Roko clenched her fists with a certain stare, feeling the sparks of initiative with a more optimistic smile. "It would be nice to talk to them again."

"If you wanna keep leading the way, be my guest. I mean, technically I'm the guest. Well…" Wesley was quiet, starting to shuffle back. "You're home now, and I did what I came here for, so…"

"Come on now, you're not getting away that easy." Roko saw the hesitation in his downcast gaze, and she reached for his hand with more certainty. "How about you be my guest for a change?"

He didn't seem to object. That was a good sign, at least. As Wesley's curious eyes looked around at the photos on the wall, Roko found it a bit funny that it took this long for him to visit her home, given how often she's visited his over the years.

When Roko found her gray-haired guardians in the living room, sat on their chairs and watching TV, they were quick to embrace her when she came in. She quietly admitted that she probably should've contacted them earlier, but her thought process was cut off by the Eevee smirking at her from the couch.

She turned her head and—of course Wesley was stepping in. "Uh, can I come in now…?" Why did he have to say that while coming in?!

Roko quickly moved to grasp his shoulders with an urgency akin to seeing a Voltorb by his feet. "Grammy! Grampy!" She turned to them with her best smile. "This is Wesley! He's—"

"Ah, yes!" Grampy chimed in, petting that evil evil Eevee. "Little 'wolf here told us all about it!" Oh no.

"Ah ha." Grammy looked a smidgen too happy about it. "This is your boy… friend." Definitely not.

"What? Grampy, Grammy…!" Roko's own shoulders slumped in flustered disappointment. "What are you talking about? I've told you already, he just happens to be a friend…"

Why they decided to take one instance of that Eevee's word over her several years of testimony, she had no clue. Whatever the case was, it definitely made the invitation for a meal much more awkward. Thankfully, as Pokémon Daycare people, they were willing to be accommodating either way. Even if Roko spent most of that table time with her head in her hands.

She declined some Rawst Berry juice, peeking through her fingers as she pushed the glass away.

"... why, we're ever so grateful you decided to escort our dear Roko back to us." Grammy seemed to be speaking to Wesley. "Do you have any plans after this? Oh, perhaps you'd like to adopt any of the strays we've taken in?"

"I… appreciate the offer," Wesley spoke quietly, briefly glancing at the Eevee mooching for food. "But I was just here to make sure Roko got home safely. That's all." She knew that downcast stare when she saw it. "I better get back to New Bark soon. Don't worry, I can handle the trip myself."

"Um… actually…!" Roko spoke up. "I was actually thinking! I wanted to show him around Goldenrod first, before anything else!"

Her forward response caught everyone off guard, herself included. Still, she stuck to her sources, and when Wesley looked at her as if he had questions, she gave him an answer.

"The Wesley I know wouldn't pass up the opportunity to adventure around a new city like this…" Seeing him this way, her whisper couldn't help but waver. She reached for his hand. "I just want to do something nice for you, especially after everything that happened."

For a moment, in that hopeless, lost look that eased into a smile, she saw herself in him. "I guess I can stay for a while longer."

"Oooh, going to the city?" And here came the dreaded Eevee trying to hop onto a chair. "Do you think I can come with? Oh, maybe I can join your team! I know I can smell extra Pokéballs on you!"

"After what you just did?" Roko gave him a good long look, pouting before she stuck her tongue out. "Definitely not."

"Mmm, you've only just returned, and you're already set to head out once more?" Grampy seemed to be mulling it over. "Ha ha ha! Who are we to get in the way of your spirit?"

Roko smiled at his encouragement, quite grateful her guardians were such free spirits when it came to this kinda stuff. Though, when meal time was done, Roko and Wesley were still holding hands when they left the table. Grammy's gasp sounded a bit too excited.

"Grammy! Don't you say anything." Roko tried her best to keep her voice steady. "Wesley's been through some stuff, and I just want to help him feel better. That's. All."

Grammy breathed out a giggle. "Whatever you say is best, Roko dearest. Our dear old home will always be here for you when you return."

"... so, is there a reason you call them your guardians instead of your grandparents?"

Roko sighed at that. "... I told you already. Because I don't even know if I have grandparents here."

He recalled the story well. The one she told him about waking up in the middle of nowhere. Initially, he thought it was an exaggerated fairy tale meant to explain why Roko didn't have family, but the more he brought it up, the more it sounded like that was what actually happened.

"Right…" He just felt awkward about it now. Good going.

Roko was still holding his hand. He maintained the grip, letting himself be whisked away, showing his faith in her guidance. It was always a good day when she felt energetic, even if this time he doubted he could keep up.

Instead of a sign, the entrance to Goldenrod was a flashy archway.

"Welcome to Goldenrod, A Happening Big City…" Wesley muttered. Something in him ached when there was no response.

He wanted to sigh, but stifled it when Roko's guiding hand brought him into those city streets. Things were different now, but… she still wanted to do something nice for him. He didn't want to turn her down or ruin the moment. Maybe he'd feel better.

Maybe… he still deserved nice things.

"Is this what you're expecting?!"

This was not a nice thing. As if the stakes weren't high enough, there had to be that dramatic riff every so often to up the suspense, only for—

"Kaboom! Oh no! Game over!"

That was enough Voltorb Flip for one day… or for forever. Those prizes were too pricey for him anyway.

"That… could've gone better." Roko sighed as they both sluggishly made their way out of the Game Corner. "It's okay. The board scares me too." She was practically hiding behind him that whole time.

"Scared?" Normally, Wesley would've denied such a thing, but… "Yeah, I get what you mean." If he felt any more tense he would've been the one hiding behind her.

"There's still more of Goldenrod I want to show you!" Roko didn't seem any less spirited, and she was leading him towards another entrance of sorts. "This way!"

Wesley followed, and for a moment, he saw the staircase that led underground and immediately assumed there would be a cave. Thankfully, this was not that, but rather a well-lit corridor, one that had booths along its stretch. Reminded him of that Violet City street, albeit a more tucked away version.

"Ta-da! Goldenrod's Underground Tunnel!" Roko had a big smile on her face before she matched his pace. "GUT for short. Easy to remember, because staying down here for too long will gut your wallet. Oh, don't worry, I can just lend you some of my money, my treat. Oh, and also…"

She continued talking, and Wesley could tell she was used to this part of the city with how comfortable she seemed to go on about it. Wesley didn't speak up much during her ramble, but the two of them still made it to a few booths he had his eye on, so she either read his curiosity right or was just that excited to show him each stall.

Wesley couldn't say no to her. He ended up leaving a few of his Pokémon to the masseuse and barber. He tried not to think too hard about his lack of feathered friends to groom.

He steadied his breathing just in time for Roko to introduce him to the photo booth area, and when it came time to split up for the dressing rooms, he was promptly wowed by the selection. A whole closet area that looked right out of a movie, or maybe the kind that'd turn him into a movie star. There seemed to be an outfit for just about anything, and the sheer variety already had him starstruck.

In the end, he ended up putting on a green tunic set, complete with a hat. Supposedly the outfit of a hero, according to the tag, and just putting it on made him feel more adventurous. He looked at himself in the mirror, his blond hair and blue eyes shining as if he was a different person. For a moment, he felt that spark of excitement to get out there and show the world what he could do.

He stepped out, but just like that, he was starstruck again.

Just as he felt like a different person, standing before him was a completely different Roko, one who looked content in her outfit. It was a pink kimono with a flowery pattern, at least, it looked like a kimono, but if it had a skirt.

"This outfit is called a yukata. And I was just about to ask if it looked good on me." Roko seemed to giggle at his speechless reaction. Her fingers pinched at the straw hat on her head. "Could do without the hat… but I don't mind. I've always wanted to try a kimono."

Wesley couldn't deny that it was a good look, even if the hat covered the flower she wore. "What about me?" He declared with a bit more zeal, letting his smile show as he reached for his prop sword. "Don't I look like a…" He paused to make sure he read the collar tag right. "... hero of time?"

"Mmm, I dunno." Roko smiled, slightly tilting her head. "You look more like an explorer to me."

Wesley chuckled. "An explorer of…" Nah, doesn't roll off the tongue as well.

"So…" Roko looked at her sandals before looking at him. "Are we both going to take this picture wearing skirts?"

Wesley looked down at his green tunic and— "Okay, I'm heading back in to change."

"Noooooo, I didn't mean it like a bad thing!"

Wesley mocked a scoff. "But your words have already touched me like this sword." He dramatically waved it around before poking his chest with it. "Urgh… I've been… wounded…"

Roko giggled again, tugging at his arm, hindering his journey back to his oh so fragile dignity. "Nooooooo…!"

Just moments ago, Wesley was unsure if he'd ever have it in him to tease Roko like this again. Now, it was like that part of him never left. The weight of change still rested heavily on his heart, but it felt a bit lighter with every laugh he had with Roko.

This was a nice thing, that he was certain about. That, and he could admit the tunic wasn't actually that bad.

Now that those Wesley and Roko folks were busy, Sectonia decided it was time to sneak about once more. What a peculiar chamber this was, housing these… facilities. Though, it was about time she saw a place where it was the humans serving the Pokémon rather than the other way around. Perhaps it was time to show some authority. Starting with her brief partner in crime.

She fluttered her way over to where the Zubat was being massaged. "You there!" She announced. "I lack a muse. Would you like to serve me?"

"No." Quick and blunt came the reply.

"But it is a most luxurious position! I shall treat you much better than my last servant—"

"Bugger off." Count Blood flopped onto his side, turning his back to her.

"Hmm!"

The Butterfree leered at him and his masseuse before declaring him a lost cause. She turned her search to the rest of her companions, most of which stood in line for their turn at this massage facility. She was definitely not asking the Spinarak, and as for the Hoppip and Geodude…

"What, pray tell, are you two doing?"

"Oh, this?" Geodon pointed at the grunting Hoppip that sat atop him. "She's been tryin' to give me a lift. Literally."

"I almost got it!" The one called Dandelion declared. "Just… a little… bit… more…!"

Geodon lowered his voice to a whisper. "Butterfree, between you and me, I don't think she can do it. But she's pretty darn adamant about it, so I figured I might as well let 'er."

"You're darn right I'm adamant…" Dandelion added.

Sectonia merely shook her head. Far too brutish and dusty, her search was better spent elsewhere.

"Hmm, I'll pass." And yet, not even the freshly groomed Rattata considered her offer. "Would be far too confusing calling another person 'boss'. But what's got you so determined to find one of these muse servant things, anyway?"

"Hmm! Well, if you must know…" Sectonia paused, checking if Cue still listened. "Ahem. There was a dear companion of mine who swore his allegiance to me, but unfortunately he lost his life in an unfortunate accident. Us Butterfree don't live very long, and so I aim to continue his legacy while I can by remembering his service! By asking for a new servant!"

Cue blinked at her story. Clearly starstruck by her tragic drama, surely. "That's… quite some heavy baggage you got there."

"Such is why I don't intend to settle for less." Sectonia paused for a laugh. "I intend to take my baggage and travel with it, of course! To live every day like it's my last, lest we lose ourselves and become pitiable husks in the throes of madness and tragedy…"

The Rattata looked a bit touched by her words. "Losing ourselves, huh…" She seemed to be glancing elsewhere.

While this Rattata was a good listener, it was clear she had no interest in serving, so Sectonia decided to resort to other means. Perhaps if she looked the part of royalty, then maybe her companions would treat her as such! Brilliant!

She snuck past the humans, fluttering her way into one of those dressing rooms, where there looked to be props of all kinds. Aha, a crown, that should come in handy—

"Mitts off, I saw this crown first!"

Another winged Pokémon had lunged for the artifact as well. Sectonia had grabbed that shining prop, but the other Pokémon's many hands were pulling it away. That cursed Ledyba, the one who went by Peridot, the one under the ownership of that Roko person. Here once again to curse her with envy. She had evolved specifically to indirectly one up this Ledyba's flight, but of all the times to show up…!

Peridot stopped pulling. "Okay, we'll break it if we keep at it. How about we settle this with a wager?"

The word fascinated Sectonia. "A wager, you say?" She stopped pulling as well.

"Yeah." The scrappy Ledyba gave her a determined stare. "Race around the city. If I win, I get the crown."

Sectonia saw her opportunity. "And if I win, you'll have to be my muse."

Peridot blinked. "Sure. Yeah. Whatever that means."

Sectonia wanted to laugh, but she refrained from revealing how quickly she pictured her victory. This was going to be fun.

Wings aflutter, the two took off through the corridor, but not before hearing two more voices as well.

"Oi! Lemme in on this too!"

"Oh, are we doin' one of 'em dandy flyin' races? Count me in!"

Apparently staying in the GUT for too long made you lose track of time as well. That was the first thing Wesley thought when he and Roko finally made their way back to the city streets. Still, she said she had one more place she wanted to show him. As he neared the building boasting the biggest satellite dish he's ever seen, he could see why this place was a big deal.

Goldenrod's Radio Tower was not only a spacious building with many floors, but it was also where every single notable radio celebrity did their broadcasts from, all across Johto. As much as Wesley wanted to find the hosts to Buena's Password and ask for autographs, he knew Roko had something else in mind.

The elevator ride they took was quiet, and given Roko's smile, that could only mean one thing. She definitely had a lot to say about a place they weren't at yet, but still excited for. The very thought had Wesley looking forward to it too.

Where the elevator stopped, instead of a spacious room, it was a more quaint circular area. There were seats, perched binoculars, glass windows circling the place where there'd be walls, telltale signs of a popular tourist spot.

"Welcome to the Radio Tower's Observation deck!" And Roko sounded just like an experienced tour guide, the 'let me show you around' type. "It's the highest accessible area in the building, sitting right below the satellite broadcasting shows and music to all of Johto! It's also the main reason the Radio Tower is considered a popular tourist spot, what with the windows and the majestic views ahead. Take a look!"

Wesley did have plans to take a look, but first, he smiled and clapped at Roko's performance. He appreciated how dedicated she was.

She covered her mouth with a blush, the other hand fiddling with her flower. "I… uh… like to come here sometimes when it's quiet. It has… good signal. Because of the… you know." She pointed at the ceiling.

Wesley chuckled before taking a better look at the rest of the place. Sure enough, those windows sure showed they were high up, but it was worth it for the view of Johto's northern reach ahead.

Convenient that there were tourist binoculars to help him take it all in. Roko stood nearby as he approached one. As he gazed through it, it was as if he was soaring through the warm orange of Johto's sunset himself. Looming over a path of trees, spotting several landmarks all around. A stadium of sorts, a park area, and he had to take a look at the city just further ahead. Ecruteak City, he mentally noted.

And with a deep sigh of contentment, he took a step back, happy to be where he was, enjoying the sunset like this with a good friend. He was allowed to have nice things, he figured.

"So…" Roko was back to her tour guide voice. "How was it?"

"It was beautiful." Wesley couldn't help but smile. "Do you wanna take a look too?"

Roko looked so smiley it was as if her tail would wag if she had one. "Of course!"

She didn't waste a second in taking her turn taking that view, and she was quick to react too. "Whoa… wait… that's weird."

Wesley blinked. "Uh… what are you seeing?"

"Um… I see a Ledyba, a Butterfree, a… Hoppip carrying a Geodude?"

"What."

Wesley quickly made a move to the other pair of binoculars to see that sure enough, those sure were some unorthodox wings in the sky. It wasn't until he saw the Zubat that he realized who they were. He felt for his Pokéballs only to realize that he was too distracted to make sure his Pokémon were all accounted for. Roko's sigh suggested the same thing.

It was a hasty scurry back to the elevator for them. "Well…" Roko shyly rubbed her arm. "I guess it wouldn't be Goldenrod if I didn't have trouble looking after some Pokémon. I can't help but feel sorry for how this turned out."

Such was the responsibility of the tour guide, Wesley supposed. "Hey, don't sweat it." His tone felt all too familiar as he put an arm around her. "Those are my Pokémon too. And if it helps, I'm having a great time with you."

"Oh, really?" Roko's stare lit up. "Because… I have more plans in mind! Well, if you don't mind staying over for a day. … Or two."

Wesley chuckled. "Spending more time with you? How could I say no to that?"

For the silence that lasted, Wesley enjoyed this moment of quiet that the elevator ride gave them. Heavy as his heart felt, the silence was relaxing for once, and he was grateful. Grateful for the view, grateful for Goldenrod, and extra grateful that he had someone like Roko.