~Samurai's pov~

A soft sigh passed my lips as I watched the sun rise. A slight drowsiness fogged my mind but I ignored it as I had throughout my sleepless night. How could I sleep? I hadn't even wanted to stop for the night but I'd eventually been out voted when the others all agreed that since we had no idea where Team Aqua might be with Paige and Miku, we should at least be well rested before we search for them.

In all honesty, I was to proud to admit I was afraid to sleep. I'd never done so without at the very least feeling Paige nearby but she was gone completely from my mind, an empty hole left behind and something I'd never felt before. Gardenia felt the same although she had managed to settle into a restless sleep hours ago, something I could not manage.

Sighing again, I sat down on the grass, not quite bothered by the moist coating of morning dew that cover the ground. It hadn't even been twenty four hours since Team Aqua's attack and I already missed Paige more then anything I could put into words. Who knows what she could be going through. For all I know, Team Aqua could have already handed her over to Ghetsis and it would all be my fault. If I hadn't gotten mad over such a juvenile thing, Paige would not have been at the back of the boat alone, I could have protected her, I could have at least tried. But after she'd been knocked in the water and the rest of her Pokémon Mean Locked into battle, Paige had been defenceless. Miku didn't stand a chance against those shark Pokémon — Sharpeedo as Jake had explained.

Rustling from behind caught my attention, snapping me from my self guilt trip. I turned to see Champ watching me with his arms crossed and an unamused scowl across his features. I said nothing, not in the mood for arguing with moody Fighting and Psychic Type Pokémon.

~Are you done feeling sorry for yourself yet? You've been doing it all night.~ He huffed, uncrossing his arms.

I shook my head with a harsh glare towards my teammate, to put it painfully simple — Champ was not my favourite Pokémon in the world. ~How I feel is none of your business.~ I snapped, irked by the feeling of Champ judging me on my mood.

He huffed again, sticking out his chest as if hoping to intimidate me, despite me being well over twice his size. ~Actually, it is if it is interfering with me getting my trainer and my teammate back. Paige and Miku were taken, yes we know, suck it up already. Moping about isn't helping anyone, especially not them. So do yourself, and them, a favour - build yourself a bridge and get over it already because so long as your feeling sorry for yourself, the rest of Paige's Pokémon will feel so to. You're their leader, so set them an example by putting a brave face on and find your Arceus damned trainer - no offence on Paige, she's a sweet girl but I needed the emphasis.~ Champ spoke firmly, though with a hit softness towards then end when referring to Paige, his tone for the most part one even I would argue with. His eyes filled with an odd sense of determination and anger. The little Meditite turned his back on me and wondered into the forest, not caring at all about how I'd respond to his lecture, proving he didn't care if I took it in or brush it off like I did with most of what he said and had no intention of proving he was right, which he was.

Champ, although somewhat of a grump with a rude and disrespectful attitude towards everyone, did care about Paige. He was learning slowly what it was like to be in a team. He'd grown close to Gardenia, adopting her as a mentor of sorts as she was much more patient with his tempter. He didn't seem to care much for Gummie or Angel, ignoring them or brushing off their attempts to include him regularly, which may have something to do with the fact that they both held Type advantages over him, which for wild Pokémon was something you'd avoid getting near and since Champ hadn't actually been forced to be around Pokémon with Type advantages over him regularly before, he would need to adjust to it. Champ was however beginning to get on with Miku, which made sense as he had told Gardenia he'd once had a little sister and Miku was the only member of Paige's team who was younger then him, further proving that this was as hard on him as everyone else. He'd only really just started opening up and despite that fact I'm not particularly fond of the Meditate Pokémon, I pitied him for having lost two of the only three beings he'd begun to open up too.

I knew I was being selfish, I was the leader of Paige's Pokémon like Champ had said. If I looked helpless, that was exactly how they would feel about this situation. I really do need to suck up my own self obsessed feelings of pity or guilt. Otherwise we'd have no hope of finding Paige or Miku and as much as I hated to admit it, Champ was showing himself to be a smart and inspirational Pokémon — despite the grump-tough-guy act. Standing to my feet, I stared deeply at the inferno of colours lighting up the morning sky. ~Don't worry Paige, I'll find you, pinky promise.~ I could only pray she heard me.

~~~🌺~~~
~Paige's pov~

The night passed by slowly, I didn't sleep again, the thought of another nightmare terrified me. I did manage to get Miku back to sleep but I knew I simply wouldn't be able to. There wasn't much to do and I had to refrain myself from thinking too deeply, knowing my train of thought would only lead to thoughts of what Team Aqua wanted me for. I watched the colours that splashed across the tent change, knowing the sun was rising and that it wouldn't be long until Team Aqua started moving again and I'd be put back in the sack — thought that I dreaded.

I hummed myself the tune my little music box played - a gift from Jake on my 15th birthday - to fill time. It was a pretty tune and I'd always loved listening to it play but the box was in my bag which was back with my friends and Pokémon. Thinking of my Pokémon brought a pain to my chest, making me subconsciously hold Miku tighter in effort to soothe the ache.

"Wake up kid!" A voice outside the tent ordered, making me flinch. Miku stirred slightly but remained asleep, she was a baby after all and besides being the most kawaii thing on the planet, sleeping was her number one skill.

Shifting Miku slightly in my arms, I gave a small squeak in response, trying to show I was awake and not make anyone mad at me. That was the last thing I wanted in this situation. Rubbing the grogginess from my eyes, I sat up slowly with a soft sigh. The lock holding the tent closed clicked open and I looked away on instinct as I was unsure if I was aloud to see who were captors were yet, even though I already knew I'd been kidnapped by Team Aqua. I shut my eyes, holding onto my sleeping Pokémon tightly as listened to the tent unzip open, some shuffling and the tent zip back shut with the clicking of the lock after.

"You have fifteen minutes to eat, then we're moving again, weather you've eaten or not." The voice instructed. It wasn't the same person who was helping me last night, it was a guy where as my mystery 'friend' was a female - I couldn't think of another world for her other then 'friend' but I don't feel like it is the correct term as she was still a member of Team Aqua. I wonder if she holds the same position as a Sage of Team Plasma, though I think they would call it something different...

Looking down at the sleeping Pokémon in my arms, I debated if I should wake Miku, though it took me only a brief moment to decide I should. Miku was a baby Pokémon and she needed to eat - otherwise I'd have to deal with 'Mama, I'm hungry' until the next time we were given food and who knows when the next time that would be.

Gently, I shook the small Pokémon in my arms. :Miku, time to wake up...:

Miku pulled a face, rolling over and burying herself in my arms. ~Miku need Kawaii sleep.~

:Please Miku, we need to have breakfast, please don't choose now to be difficult.: I pleaded, knowing that when Miku wanted to be, she was a stubborn as a Bouffalant.

The little Manaphy must has felt the urgency in my voice because she opened her eyes and looked up at me with the deep blue irises still sleepy but awake. ~Okie mama, Miku be good girl, like you said.~

I gave a small sigh of relief, hugging Miku close. :Thank you.:

Miku smiled when she caught my small smile, happy simply making me happy. I clipped my belt back around my waist, again letting my fingertips linger on the homes of my Pokémon. I hope Jake and Milly were taking good care of my Pokémon... and that Champ is behaving himself. My thoughts continued to wonder to those about my Pokémon as I crawled over the the breakfast tray that had replaced last nights dinner tray. Miku waddled next to me, though she her oversized arms handcuffed together caused her to trip, it wasn't hard but startling for her.

I helped her up, carrying her over the the breakfast tray left behind. My hands were also still handcuffed together but I could manage to balance myself as it was something I was ashamed to say I'm used too. Ghetsis used to find amusement in making me clean in handcuffs as it would make the job much harder, N would be furious whenever he would find out but he rarely did as Ghetsis always threatened harsh punishment if I ever told him. I quickly shook the thoughts of Ghetsis from my head, getting a chill down my spine as I hugged Miku a little closer and examined out breakfast.

The tray consisted of a peanut butter sandwich, an apple and a bottle of water for me. There was also a bowl of water and a can of Pokémon Food for Miku. My Manaphy looked at the can with a distasteful glare, as if wishing for it to poof out of existence, but didn't comment, nor did I say anything about my food, even though I hated peanut butter — I had to set a good example for Miku otherwise she wouldn't eat. After opening Miku's can of Pokémon food, I bit into the sandwich with a bitter mood towards the day already, not to mention the consistent fear beating through my blood. The Seafaring Pokémon by my side ate silently, sitting in her water bowl like it was the most normal thing in the world... which I guess it is for her since Manaphy can absorb water through their skin so Miku sitting in her water bowl was the equivalent to drinking from a glass — which she still does as well when she wants.

I couldn't finish my sandwich fast enough, gulping down the water afterwards to clear the taste from my mouth. Miku by this time was finished her food and was looking at my apple in a state of envy, she didn't say anything about it - most likely sensing my already scared, bitter and somewhat distressed mood - but I knew she wanted it. Since I also wanted the apple after eating the horrid peanut butter sandwich and I knew that I'd feel guilty all day if I ate it in front of the baby Pokémon, I split it in half. I gave the slightly larger side to Miku who seemed happy with the compromise of sharing the fruit before she began munching it down, core and all.

Taking my fruit more slowly, I carefully ate it. Eating around the core — unlike Miku. Once I finished, which wasn't long, I slipped my joggers back on and rummaged through the pocket of my belt for anything of interest. I gave my apple core to Miku who gobbled it down without a thought. In my belt I found a half eaten bag of hard lollies - the kind you could suck on for an hour or longer if you didn't chew it - a small first aid kit, a few packets of sugar I'd taken from the Pokémon Centre cafeteria when Samurai wasn't looking, a hair tie, a small torch, a dice... (where did that even come from?) and a photo of my Pokémon and I together with N before I had left Unova. I held on tightly to the photo for a few moments, staring at the stilled image of my family. Samurai and Gardenia stood behind me and N, Gardenia resting her head on her brother's shoulder. N and I mimicked their position though my head rested against N's arm since he was a lot taller them me. Gummie and Angel were by my side, as usual my Sylveon sat on top of my Reuniclus's head. Angel was holding Miku in the air with her ribbons. The young Manaphy held her arms above her head, looking down at Angel caught in a laugh.

The time of the photo was after I'd let Nyuu go, the little Sewaddle had gone off to start a family only a week or two prior but I had photos of her in my travel bag. It was also before I'd gotten Champ so the shiny Meditite was also absent from the image. With a gentle sigh, I returned my items back to my pockets and remained seated on the sleeping bag with Miku in my arms.

~Mama?~ Miku questioned, looking up at me with scared blue eyes. ~When can we go back? Miku miss everyone else and the food here is icky.~

I shut my eyes, thinking hard about what to say. :I would like to Miku, but these are bad people, we need to wait for Samurai and everyone else to come get us.:

~Miku can get vroom-vroom, then we can make them let us go back.~ The Manaphy offered hopefully. Vroom-vroom was her chainsaw, still a mystery of the world as to where she kept it.

Gently stroking her head, I shook mine. :I don't think that would work, you're only one little Miku, you can't fight all of Team Aqua alone... even with vroom-vroom.:

~Miku could try.~ She again replied hopefully.

Again however, I shook my head. :They might take you away from me if you do. I don't want that Miku. But... Samurai, Gardenia, Gummie, Angel and Champ... they will come soon.: I knew I was still trying to convince myself that but I was much more use to hopeless situations then Miku was, I spent seven years in a hopeless situation.

Miku stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. I gently rocked her back and forth in effort to stop the oncoming tantrum I knew the little Manaphy was planning. :Miku, I don't like it anymore then you do, but you're still a baby and I don't want you getting hurt. They won't be long Miku, I promise.: I hated promising something I couldn't guarantee but my head already hurt from my sleepless night and the baby Pokémon throwing a temper tantrum was not something I'd look forward to.

Again I heard the lock click open as a shadow beyond the tent walls began to open the fabric door of my prison. :Miku, please be good okay?:

Miku continued to pout but mumbled her agreement to my request.

"Okay kid, I'm sure you know the drill by now. Keep your eyes shut and no funny business from either of you, understand?" The same gruff voice from before ordered.

I could merely squeak in response, clinging to Miku tightly as I was dragged to my feet and pushed out of the tent. Stumbling slightly over the edge, I managed to catch myself before I fell but I was given no time to recover as I led beck to what I believe was a van or truck I'd been in yesterday.

"Back in the sack now." He huffed, forcing me to my knees.

Letting out a disappointed squeak, I fought off the urge to struggle as the man repositioned me and before I knew it, the sack was done up and I was back to square one.

~This place is stinky.~

:Miku please don't...: I sighed, opening my eyes as I looked down at Miku whom was still pouting. Shuffling through the pockets of my belt, I found what I was looking for pretty soon, having just put them in there. I gave Miku one of the lollies from my belt which both cheered up the little Water Type and kept her quiet, double win with only one ball of Razzberry flavoured sugar.

Letting out a soft sigh, I carefully shuffled around slightly, trying to get comfortable for what could be hours of travel. Miku was occupied by the lolly for ages but quickly fell asleep after it was finished, thank Reshiram. I was quite tired after my restless sleep but I didn't give in to the urge, terrier of my nightmare I'd had the night before. When the van started, I knew it wouldn't be long until I did fall asleep. The spot I was lying on warmed up slightly, giving the feel of an electric blanket as it lulled me into drowsiness. So, I simply let sleep come, knowing that there was simply no point in fighting it as I'd need to sleep sometime, with or without the nightmares that followed.

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 3044

More sad... Well I'm filling and 'Find my courage' won the vote by a landslide of three votes...
*sighs* I try to be an author who interacts with readers but no one seems to care anymore, oh well...
Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I want the next one to be a bit longer since I don't want to spend too much time on Team Aqua and really want to get into Nichole and Jessica plot development which happens soon.

Question: How many people are actually interested in Nichole/Jessica?

I've had OCs in the past I spent ages try to build on characters I liked who readers didn't and if you guys don't like Nichole/Jessica then I'll put more information on other characters like Zyra or Champ in.