"Then Torch used Sky Uppercut and one- two! We won!" Jake cheered proudly as we made our way out of Petalburg Woods.

I rolled my eyes, holding Miku who was snuggling in my arms, trying to convince Angel to do 'kissy kissy' with Pie. My Sylveon flatly refused, ignoring Miku while having her own conversation with Gummie. Samurai and Champ were talking about battle strategy, getting along for the first time I'd ever seen. The personalities of the two Psychics types often clashed with Champ being aggressive and hot headed a lot of the time while Samurai was much more calm and collected, even in battle. It was nice to see my newest member bonding with one of my oldest.

Giving a light sigh, I looked up at the canopy above. My mind was on Team Aqua, despite being told not to worry about them by Samurai numerous time, I couldn't help but be frightened of them. I'd had two encounters with them in one day, both times being apart of the group that interrupted their plans. Ghetsis's was obviously still after me even after I'd moved to a whole new region. It was becoming more and more obvious that I'd never be able to completely escape him and I couldn't be sure that if I interfered with Team Aqua too many times, that they wouldn't hand me to him for the cash reward (which is what Jake had explained to me as being 'the price on my head').

Samurai dropped his arm over shoulder, pulling me close to his side. ~No one's going to hurt you Paige, I promise.~ He looked down at me with his ruby irises, giving a reassuring smile as he did.

:But I'm still scared Samurai, I don't want to be, but I still am.:

The Blade Pokémon smiled a little more, giving me a tight squeeze closer to him. ~I know it's hard to forget but worrying about the bad things is what will prevent the good things from happening. I know you're scared, and I know it's hard for you to forget all that's happened or stop worrying about what will happen but if you give up completely then you're basically giving Ghetsis's what he wants.~ Samurai's tone was smooth and calm in my mind, bringing the reassuring presence it always did. ~If you give up of being enjoying things Paige, then all everyone's fighting would have been for nothing. I know it's hard, but sometimes the best things in life are those that are hardest to find. Remember how long it took you to get free from Ghetsis's in the first place? Now look how happy it made you to be free, the friends you've made and the Pokémon you have. You just have to be strong and happy, good things will come eventually.~

I looked deeply into Samurai's eyes, finding the sincerity of what he spoke as I smiled. :You're right, there isn't much point to worrying is there?: Although I felt a little better, there was still that nagging sense of fear in the pit of my stomach. I did my best to ignore it but I knew it wouldn't go away, almost as if warning me that something bad was too happen, and it would happen soon.

~🌺~

"Hello there young whippersnappers!" Mr Briney greeted as we approached his little shack, Peeko sat on his shoulder, looking half asleep in the company of her trainer.

Milly waved back, smiling brightly as we reached Mr. Briney's home. "Hello Mr. Briney, are you still able to take us over to Dewford Town?" She questioned.

"Sure as I'm salty." The elder man laughed whole heartedly. "Got the old boat all set up early this morning."

"Gee thanks sir..." Jake commented somewhat awkwardly.

Again, Mr. Briney laughed, slapping Jake on the back in a cheerful. "Mr. Briney will do there son."

"Right..." He replied, nodding towards the boat. "Can we get going then? I'm eager to get some training done on Dewford Island."

"Of course."

With that, Mr. Briney led us down the pier to his boat, gesturing us aboard. "Welcome to the SS. Peeko, here to serve all your transportation needs."

Milly and I giggled simultaneously as we boarded the vessel, greeted by none other the Peeko the Wingull herself as we did. Mr. Briney excused himself, in need of some last minute preparation while we got comfortable above deck. I sat near the front of the boat, snuggled up with Gardenia as I stared out at the sparkling expanse of sea before me, Dewford Island sitting on the horizon. I found it an odd thought that the same ocean I was looking at now touched every land in the world, even Unova, which seemed like a world away from where I now sat. I wondered if N was looking at the ocean too. Thinking of me, or something else. It would be early morning in my home region, when people would just be getting up but N was always up early. Usually so he could visit me before he begun his duties... Hehe duties.

Peeko gently nuzzled my leg, her previously injured wing now was tucked up to her side and wrapped up tightly in a bandage. I giggled, reaching down to pat the fluffy little bird before Miku enveloped her in a big bear hug. ~You birdie Miku save! Miku save you before you know!~ She cheered.

~Gull-.~ Peeko chirped nervously, looking up at me with a help me kind of look in her eyes.

Giggling to myself, I gently took Peeko from my baby Manaphy's grasp, setting her on my lap.

Miku huffed, pouting slightly with her back turning towards me. She grumbled how she should get to cuddle the birdie because she saved the birdie before wandering over to Samurai to continue her pout. The Blade Pokémon simply chuckled to himself from his seat but said nothing to invoke himself.

"Everyone aboard?"

Samurai - check

Gardenia - check

Gummie-  check

Angel - check

Miku - still pouting but check

Champ - uhhh...

I frowned, sitting up straight as I looked around the boat for my mischievous little Meditite. There's always one who seems to be missing, or is it just me? :Champ, roll call. Where are you?:

~Back of the boat.~ He replied somewhat grumpily. ~It's too crowded up ground sooooo--.~

Giving a thumbs up to Mr. Briney to show that everyone was here since Jake and Milly were sitting opposite me, everyone was aboard.

:Champ, there's plenty of room up front, come sit with us.: I insisted.

~No, I'm fine.~ He replied. ~Besides, it's quieter back here so I can meditate in peace.~

:Well if you're sure you are fine with it.:

~Positive.~

I decided it best to simply leave Champ, he seemed to prefer being on his own much more then the other members of my team. The boat started moving, making almost forget about my more grumpy team member for the current moment. Mr. Briney began chortling some some about the sea, Peeko leaping off my lap to join her trainer in the song. No doubt had she been able to, the little Wingull would of been gliding around the boat while chirping happily to the shanty but even while grounded, she seemed infinitely happy. I somewhat envied her, wishing for the days where I was as carefree as I once was. I'd grown up a lot since first running away from Team Plasma's Castle and although in someways it was good, I knew I'd lost a lot of the innocence I'd once had which I now felt was simply an inevitability that came with growing up.

~Paige, if you keep thinking like that you'll give us a headache.~ Gardenia chuckled lightly, planting a kiss on my forehead.

:Sorry.: I apologised smiling up at my eldest Pokémon as again the topic in my head was changed - something that was very much normal to me - instead I was reminded of the bond I shared with my Pokémon, most notably Samurai and Gardenia whom felt every thought I thunk though never invaded my own privacy with this ability unless they felt it was necessary to help me feel better or such, and I loved them for it.

~~~🌺~~~

Dewford Town almost wasn't a town, more like a quaint little village with its two biggest attractions being the gym and large cave just beyond the town. Milly lead the way to the Pokémon Centre, pointing out sites and attractions from her guidebook

Much like the rest of the town, the inside of the Pokémon Centre was neat and well kept. Though a much older pink haired trainer was already talking to Nurse Joy when our Merry-Little-Band entered. I frowned ever so slightly as a feeling of recognisation twisted so,where in my gut, yet I couldn't name from where. Not that I should even know, we'd only been traveling for a month now. Jake, Milly and I took out spot in line.

While Jake began talking about his battle strategy to his sister, he could the attention of the person before us. She turned to face Jake and smile, bright blue eyes gleaming in mischief. "Challenging the gym son?" She questioned, it seemed weird for her to be calling Jake son since she looked so young but I didn't even attempt to bring that up.

Jake nodded, giving his somewhat signature cocky smirk. "Sure am."

"Might want to be a little more careful where you're talking about stray then." The pinkette smiled. "I'm Zyra Yūki, Gym Leader of Dewford Town." She smiled, holding her hand out for Jake to shake.

I took a step back, realising where I'd recognised the elder trainer from. Tears filled my eyes as I covered my mouth with my hand to suppress the uneven pants that came out, shaking my head back and forth as I failed to think of any other action to take.

Samurai almost instantly sensed my distress. ~What's the matter Paige?~ He questioned, gaining the attention of my friends as they turned to me.

:I-- I can't...: Bursting into tears I fled the Centre, running as fast as I could through the beach side city. My feet pounded against the sand in beat to my heart as the sound vibrated through my ears. Samurai's shouts drummed through my mind but for possibly the first time in my entire life, I blocked him out. I shut my mind off to all my Pokémon, revealing a feeling I knew to dread but could not welcome more at this moment. Lonelinessis.

~~~🌺~~~

The soft breeze rustled through the trees, creating a soft melody as it went. Sunlight filtered through the gaps made by the elegant dance of emerald leaves, causing that shadows to flicker amount the rays of warmth. The midday air warmed my skin from where I sat, panting hard from running.

Zyra.

A name so familiar yet one I hardly knew. Actually, I didn't know her at all apart from one simple fact, one thing that had completely changed my life before I even knew it. One little choice that had resulted in the entirety of my life going down the road it had. The one simple little truth was, it's her fault I'm an orphan.

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 1883

Feel free to theorise away my little candy cane people. *rubs hands together evilly*