"What the hell?!"

I was lurched out of the dreaming world by the exclamation, which came from somewhere not far from me. I wondered why someone was yelling so viciously at such an early hour.

I just want to sleep a little longer...

Then I remembered where I was.

Shit.

I froze, panic rising into my chest. I was curled up against Fate's side, who was still sleeping, completely naive to the situation. I was almost entirely covered underneath the plush blankets, yet I must have still been able to be noticed.

It suddenly felt unbearably hot under the covers.

"What's this bitch doing in our room?!" a man, the one who had exclaimed before, hissed out. I remained still, pretending I was still immersed in sleep.

"What the hell are you talkin' about?"

"Some little girl's in this kid's bed!"

"What?!"

I heard a commotion beginning to erupt within the room, approaching Fate's bed. I winced, preparing for an unfathomable, horrifying fate. Death would be too kind.

It was nice knowing you, Fate.

"Hey!"

Jay's unmistakable voice rang out through the room, silencing those inside. Clearly he was more respected than I realized.

"As long as I'm standing, none of you will bother those children."

A younger male voice grumbled. "But she snuck-"

"She's a child. Those two are the only children in this program, and they won't be causing any harm by sleeping in each other's bed." The harshness in Jay's voice was unmistakable.

"Are you saying you want us to allow this girl to sneak in whenever the hell she wants?!"

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Jay replied firmly.

The room was still, yet I could feel the irritation and frustration rolling through the air in waves. It was stifling.

"Any objections?" he challenged, with the only reply being silence. "Good. Hop to it."

It was about half an hour before everyone finally filed out, grumbling or cursing, but did not bother Fate nor I.

I realized Jay must have noticed when I was sneaking through the halls last night, yet had not interrupted my endeavors regardless. I was suddenly eternally grateful for him.

"Are we alone yet?"

Fate's mumble startled me.

He shifted over, turning to face me. His eyes were lidded with sleep, his expression soft, and he smirked slightly.

"So you heard all that?"

"Vaguely," he replied with a yawn. "Jay's an understanding guy; you were lucky he was here to bail you out."

I frowned, averting his gaze. "Yeah, I know."

"Why'd you actually come down?"

"Huh?"

"You said you couldn't sleep," Fate started, "but is that really the reason?"

I'm a lonely, pathetic, overly-attached child. "Er, yeah."

"Bullcrap."

I shifted over onto my back, staring at the wooden bed frame encasing the mattress of the upper bunk. "Fate, it's fine."

"Come on." He prodded my shoulder. "You must trust me, right? I mean, you decided to come sleep with me after only knowing me for less than two weeks." My face flushed in embarrassment when he snickered, but continued nonetheless. "You can tell me anything."

Sighing, I pursed my lips. He'll probably think I'm weird or creepy if I tell him how I actually feel.

"Narcissus, tell me about your family."

"What?" He seemed taken aback.

"I wanna know more about you." I flipped over again, staring at him intently. I giggled at his confused expression, with his face twisted and eyebrows raised slightly.

"You can't avoid my question with more questions," he retorted.

I pressed a finger to his lips. "I'm getting to that. I just wanna know this first."

His puzzled expression remained, but he hesitantly accepted my request. "Okay, fine, but you have to tell me your story as well, along with what's bothering you."

"Fine."

Fate raised his arms in a stretch, silent for a few moments as he rustled around to get comfortable. "Well, I was born in a pretty small town. My father was enlisted as a soldier when I was a baby, and left my family. We haven't heard from him since." Judging by his curt tone of voice, he wasn't particularly bothered by this. "My mother payed more attention to alcohol than her children, so I was essentially raised by my older sister instead. Eventually my mom just left us as well with this other guy a couple years ago. After that, my sister and I decided to leave our town since it was so poor, and that's how I ended up here. We discovered all of our living needs would be provided if we joined the military, so now I'm a trainee soldier and she's a medic." He shrugged. "It's been a good enough life so far. I mean, it could be worse."

I was appalled at his positivity and lack of care. "Oh, Fate, I'm so sorry."

He met my gaze with a puzzled expression. "Huh?"

"You've had a pretty rough childhood. Aren't you upset over that?"

A faint smile crossed his face. "I don't think you understand, Vee. If I spent my life being negative and dwelling on how sucky my life has been so far, I wouldn't be able to live in the life I have now; it just wouldn't make it any better. Sometimes you just have to stand up and move on."

I acknowledged his words with a nod, reflecting over them repeatedly. What Fate said was true, but how strong must a person be to let go of so much negativity and move on?

I came to admire his strength, both mentally and in Pokémon battling.

"Alright, I've spilled my story, now you answer my question." His amber eyes were wide and full of curiosity, glowing in the early morning sunlight that shone through the windows.

I sighed, turning away. If I started crying, or getting emotional, I didn't want Fate to see it. "Well, I guess I'll start with this. My family was small, consisting of only myself and my parents, but we were happy and supported one another. My father was one of the lead military captains of our town, and my mother was the most badass soldiers I've ever met. I had a very privileged life during such a chaotic time, but we always lived in this fear that we would one day be taken over by outside forces." I huffed, slightly amused. "Sure enough we were, just a few weeks ago. My entire town was slaughtered, and all I have left is Lugia." I turned back to Fate, who's expression had grown serious. "So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I've spent my whole life around family, and now that's gone. So, when I became friends with you, I felt like maybe I could fill that hole. I hope you forgive me for wanting to be around you a lot, and if you think I'm a creep and want me to leave you alone, I won't blame you." I turned away, expecting Fate to be disgusted or angered with me.

Instead, I felt warm arms embrace me tightly, which was when the warm, sticky tears finally started to leak out.

"Definitely a creep," Fate murmured with a laugh. "I must attract weird people. Guess you better stick around me so no one thinks you're crazy and beats you up again. After all, that's what friends do."

I smiled brightly, pressing my face into the crook of his shoulder. "Yeah," I whispered. "I guess I'm lucky to have you around."

~

I found myself alone, my only company being a faint breeze whistling through the tree branches and the frequent chorus of birdsong. My confusion and anxiety had made me oblivious to my surroundings, and I wondered where to start. Today was the start of our beginning test, yet I could not have been less ready for it.

I recalled back to events occurring only an hour before, trying to clear my head.

"Listen up, you pansies!" Yukino had snapped. "Our first skills and team-building test starts today. I don't want to hear any whining or crying from you sorry bunch. One wrong move or careless action can mean life or death." She paused, her eyes moving over the crowd before her as if waiting for any protest. When she received none, she continued.

"You will be monitored by Captain Jay, Captain Ivory, Head Scout Arien, and myself." She had ended her statement with a warning glare.

"Any rules?" someone had piped up.

Jay, who was standing beside Yukino, spoke up. "Basically no cheating, no stealing, and no dying."

Some had found this amusing, as they replied with a soft laugh. However, I interpreted this to be incredibly unnerving.

After this, we had been split up into unknown, wooded territory, leaving me standing alone and motionless for the past half hour.

I'm so pathetic. I wish Fate were here.

It was about another ten minutes before I decided to move, tentatively taking a step forward into the shadowy abyss of trees before me. Leaves and twigs crinkled underneath my boots with each step, but besides that, it was currently silent. The birdsong had faded away, and the wind dwindled down into nothing. Yet, the silence seemed deafening.

I quickly rummaged through my small leather bag. "Uh, come on out, Lugia!"

With a bright flash, Lugia appeared beside me, greeting me with a questioning glance.

"Sorry, I just needed some company."

Lugia's expression grew understanding, and he brushed his jaw along my hip. I relaxed slightly, rubbing my hand along the top of his head.

"Always good to know I have you around."

We clambered deeper in the forest, seeing no sign of any person nor Pokémon. The sudden lack of movement and life was nerve-wracking.

Come on, Veerium. This is a test, step it up.

Yet I was unable to pursue any further. Fear was gripping my body like a firm hand, refusing to let go. With each step I took, it felt as if a pair of eyes were watching me from the shadows. I froze, leaning on Lugia.

"Let's just be done for the day," I said, half to myself.

Lugia nodded, but he seemed more curious than nervous. It only made me feel more pathetic.

I plopped down onto the ground, burying my face into Lugia's wings. He curled around me protectively, which was comforting given the situation.

Though it was late afternoon, the world was dark from the clouded sky and tree branches covering the world above us like a tent. The air was surprisingly frigid, blowing ever so slightly against my skin like prickly ice. I sank deeper into Lugia's wings, squeezing my eyes shut.

I don't want to be here.

~

I awoke to the sound of an earsplitting screech.

I jolted upward, my eyes flashing open, yet I found myself immersed in more darkness.

It must be late at night by now.

Lugia shifted beside me, his pale form seeming to glow in the darkness. His body was hunched back in a defensive position, showing that he too had heard the screeching.

"Was that a.. Pokémon?"

Lugia's hard stare confirmed my suspicion.

I stood up, frantically grabbing for my hunting knife that was strapped to my waist. Twigs snapped around us, and the undergrowth rustled as if it were alive, yet I was unable to pinpoint where.

"S-Show yourself!"

A low growl followed my words, and I twisted around to meet the source.

I came face to face with a lithe, pale body prowling out from the undergrowth. A dark blade twisted upward from its head, along with an equally dark tail that swished threateningly. It had deep crimson eyes identical to Lugia's, yet these eyes seemed to glow with menace and bloodlust.

My thoughts were confirmed when I saw dark red blood dripping out of its mouth, leaking down its jaw and neck.

"It's an Absol," I remarked, recognizing it from our class textbook. However, I was given little time to process this thought before it launched itself straight at us.

For the first time, I did not hesitate. "Lugia, use weather ball!"

Lugia leaped into action, energy beginning to collect and glow within his open jaw. Gusts of wind swarmed around him, and with a threatening cry, he launched it at the Absol.

Distraught welled within me as I watched the Absol carelessly deflect the attack with a swipe of its blade.

Ugh, damn.

"Alright, Lugia, no playing around, use dragon rush!"

Lugia lunged forward, his body erupting into bright light. Power seemed to roll off of him in waves, and he collided with the Absol with enough force that it was launched backward into a tree.

"Nice!" I exclaimed, seeing Lugia return to my side with triumph. "Good work, Lugia!"

However, as the Absol returned to its senses, I realized all we had really done was anger it.

"Again, Lug-" but was cut off as the Absol shot forward at an unbelievable speed, driving Lugia into the dirt with its blade.

Lugia screamed out in pain, but Absol only drove him harder into the ground, a growl rumbling in its throat.

Without thinking, I jumped forward, grabbing at clumps of Absol's tufty white fur and yanking it.

"Let him go! He's my friend, don't hurt him!"

Yet my only response was pain shooting through my chest as its clawed paw slammed into me.

I was thrown to ground, winded and gasping for breath. Absol stood over me, blood seeping out of its mouth and dripping down onto my face. It bared its gleaming white fangs menacingly. I shivered, but did not avert my eyes from its glare.

"I don't care what you do to me, but Lugia is my family, so please don't hurt him!"

Absol froze, its eyes glowing with a strange expression I did not understand. Before it could react, however, it was shoved off of me as a blinding light crashed into it.

The distraction I caused was enough time for Lugia to use dragon rush once more, and I watched as he plowed Absol away, flinging it into the air with a yelp of alarm.

Come on, Veerium. You know why you're here, and you know what to do.

My hand shot into my bag, grabbing for one of the empty pokéballs that had been given to us before our test. I clutched it in my hand, watching Absol's dazed, motionless body nearby.

Pursing my lips, I flung the pokéball at Absol, watching as it was sucked in with a brilliant glow. In its place sat the pokéball, shaking around wildly.

Come on...

The ball continued to shake, reflecting Absol's strong intent for not giving in. However, it did not ever escape.

Eventually the shaking subdued, seeming almost exhausted with effort, until it eventually halted, followed by a faint but audible click.

No way.

I hesitantly moved forward towards the pokéball, slowly leaning down and wrapping my hands around its smooth surface. It felt warm and full of life, and I let out a relieved sigh.

"Lugia, we did it," I huffed, coughing as I turned to face him. Yet, in contrast to my feelings of triumph, Lugia looked more than a little frustrated, with his eyes narrowed distastefully. He clearly was not pleased with my choice of teammates.

"Aw, come on," I sniffed. "Just give them a chance; I'm sure they aren't so bad."

Lugia merely snorted, lying down and curling his tail over his nose. I was left alone, too exhilarated to rest.

"I can't believe I actually did it," I whispered.  I was actually able to catch a Pokémon. How unfathomable.

I brushed my thumb along the pokéball, rolling it around in my now cut, filthy hands.

"Fathom..." I murmured, sniffing with a faint smile. "I like it. I think that's what I'll call you."

Though I received no reaction, I was pleased with the nickname, confidence washing over me for one of the first times.

Our family is growing.