The sun was setting by the time we reached Oldale town and I was snugly piggy backing on Samurai since I refused to stop bugging him until he did.

Oldale town look really old, like is its name states. The buildings were all wooden and seemed to be falling apart slightly but at the same time, still sturdy. I looked around in awe at the town. Everything in Unova was always new and shiny, so seeing a town all old and rural was awesome.

I jumped from Samurai's back and ran forward a little, spinning around in a quick circle I order to see everything I could.

~Don't go where I can't see you Paige.~ Samurai called after me.

:Okie~!: I giggled back, dashing forward again only to crash into someone.

I fell backward, still giggling to myself while looking up at who I'd crashed into. She wore a stripy blue and white tank top with torn purple mini shorts and tights that matched her shirt. Her short purple-greyish hair was topped with a black bandanna with a white symbol on the front.

"Watch it twerp." The person growled glaring at me.

I stood up and brushed myself off. I frowned at the rude person, it was just an accident.

Jake, Milly and my Pokémon finally caught up to me. "What happened?" Jake asked, looking between me and the girl.

The girl looked between the three of us before carefully examining my Pokémon. Samurai stepped protectively closer to me, Gardenia did so to. Angel was once more sitting on Gummie's head both looked weary as if sensing the unease in the air. Miku was to busy chasing a Beautifly to notice what was going on while attempting to pounce on the bug type Pokémon. Champ looked bored, watching Miku as if there wasn't anything wrong.

"Wait a minute! You're the pipsqueak the took down Ghetsis!" The girl burst out laughing. "Wow, what a laugh."

I flinched at Ghetsis's name. The incidents that happened in Unova still scared me, though the bruise that had previously been around my neck, from Ghetsis's attempt to kill me had faded away to nothing, I still had scares, inside and out. I didn't like remembering what happened, often preferring to discard the thoughts rather then ponder on the past.

Samurai's gaze hardened, stepping in front of me. ~How do you know about that?~

No one was meant to know about the incidents in Unova. Jake's uncle, and Champion of Unova, told us that it would be kept away from the media (which means TV and radio and stuff, Jake told me that) so not many people knew about Team Plasma in general, let alone that Jake, Milly and I had been involved.

"Are you kidding, everyone in Team Aqua is talking about it." She laughed some more like teenage girl at a gossip session. "The little pipsqueak that stopped Team Plasma, you've got quite a price on your head from Ghetsis, I will say that."

I practically dived behind Samurai, peeking out fearful. I didn't quite understand what having a price on my head meant but the first thing that came to mind was Ghetsis wanting my head.

This made the person laugh harder. "Wow, what a scaredy Skitty."

"What's Team Aqua?" Jake asked, his hand hovering over his Pokéballs glaring suspiciously at the girl who looked about N's age.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She snickered before turning on her heal and leaving. "I'd watch your back if I were you three."

I looked up at Samurai nervously before looking at Jake and Milly. :Samurai, Ghetsis won't come here. Right?:

Samurai didn't answer, looking unsure of what to say.

:Right?: I asked, a little more desperately.

Samurai smiled, obviously he was forcing it, resting a hand on my head. ~No Paige, he won't come here. He's one of the most wanted people in Unova, he won't be able to leave the region without getting caught. Don't worry Paige, you're safe her. I promise.~

"Let's go Paige, we'll go to the Pokémon Centre and see what we can find on Team Aqua. The more we know, the better." Jake said, seeing my nervousness. "And don't worry, nothing will happen to you." He smiled, unlike Samurai a real smile which helped reassure me.

~What's Team Aqua and Team Plasma?~ Champ asked bluntly, crossing his arms with a bored expression.

~Team Plasma is an evil organisation from the region where Paige is from. They hurt her a lot while we were there and we came to Hoenn in effort to seek asylum against them. We're not sure what Team Aqua is, but they could mean trouble if they know Team Plasma.~ Gardenia answered.

Champ looked confused. ~How did they hurt you?~

I shook my head, hugging Samurai close. :I don't like talking about it:

~Did they make it so you can't talk like normal people?~

~No Champ, Paige was born that way. We'll tell you about it later, but for now, leave it.~ Gardenia told him.

Champ huffed but dropped it all the same. I guess that it must be a little difficult for him, being the new one in my team. Everyone else had learn everything about me and had helped to protect me against Team Plasma over the past few months where he knew nothing about anyone.

The walk to the Pokémon Centre was almost dead silent, I was nervous about Team Aqua. Would they come after me? Hand me over to Ghetsis for the price on my head?

A hand was rested on my head and I looked up to see Jake smiling at me. "It's okay Paige, whoever this Team Aqua is, they aren't hurt you. You're safe with us remember."

I nodded, smiling at Jake before hugging him tightly. I then skipped off happily, waiting only for Miku to cling to my leg before running ahead. I didn't wonder to far off, staying within ear and eye shot of my friends and Pokémon at all time. There wasn't really time to mope around about what could happen when the world had so many fascinating things to see and do. What will happen, will happen and if something bad was going to happen, I had my Pokémon and friends to help me thought it, right?

~~~🌺~~~

We entered the Pokémon Centre as the sun was setting beyond the horizon, splashing the sky with it's burning fires as an effort to get the last of it's beautiful sun rays out as the midnight blue of dusk started taking over the sky in preparation for the moon. It was meant to be a half moon tonight, by looking at the pretty moon chart given to me by Milly a few weeks ago. The Pokémon Centre was full of bustling trainers, some lining up to get their Pokémon healed, others standing around talking with one another. As usual Samurai and Gardenia got quite a few stares of fascination, Champ did to but he seemed to be intimidated by the stares, hiding behind Gardenia timidly.

Gummie giggled and waved whenever she was looked at, waving her bubbly arms here and there. Miku jumped from my leg and ran around the room of trainers. "MIKU KAWAII!!!"

I quickly ran after Miku, picking her up while blushing slightly at all the staring trainers. One of them approached me, making my shift uncomfortably as Samurai and Gardenia came to my side.

"Are they your Pokémon?" He asked, looking at my twin Psychic Pokémon in awe.

I nodded as Miku climbed onto my head.

"Would you mind having a battle with me?" He asked eagerly.

I shook my head.

"Why not?" He pouted.

~Paige prefers not to battle.~ Gardenia answered, stunning the boy slightly. He looked only a little younger then Milly.

"Was that you're Pokémon?" His green eyes wide in surprise.

I nodded.

He cocked his head to the side as Milly and Jake joined the group after booking us a room. "Who's this Paige?"

I shrugged.

"You don't talk much do you?" He said after noticing I hadn't said anything yet.

~She doesn't talk at all.~ Champ muttered despite not being heard by anyone besides myself.

Samurai gave him a warning glare but I brushed it off, being mute wasn't something I was ashamed of or anything, it's just part of who I am whether I liked it or not.

"Paige is mute, she can't talk." Jake explained before sticking out his hand in a friendly way. "I'm Jake, this is my little sister Milly and my friend Paige." He introduced.

"Riley." The boy replied, shaking Jake's hand. "I just started traveling a few weeks ago."

Jake laughed. "You probably wouldn't be able to battle Paige then, her Pokémon are much strong then they look."

Samurai grunted his agreeably, crossing his arms over his chest.

"So how many can talk with telepathy?" Riley asked.

"All of them accept Angel, the Sylveon. Only Samurai and Gardenia can talk to other people though." Milly explained peppery, gesturing to each Pokémon as she said it's name.

"Interesting. Hey, you want to get something to eat? I'd love to learn more about your Pokémon." The brunette trainer asked.

"How about it Paige?" Jake asked.

I nodded. Mentally counting off my Pokémon as we headed to the small cafeteria in the Pokémon Centre. Miku was in my arms, marvelling over the Pokémon Centre while Angel was on Gummie's head as usual, the two floating slightly above me. Samurai and Gardenia were following behind me while Champ hid behind Gardenia. That's all six.

Jake and Riley had struck up a casual conversation as we sat down in a medium sized booth while I was talking to Milly through Gardenia. We sat down with Jake, Samurai and the new guy Riley on one side while Milly, Gardenia and myself on the other. Champ squished himself next to Gardenia and I while Gummie just landed in my head.

"Why aren't your Pokémon in their Pokéballs?" Riley asked.

~Paige likes our company.~ Gardenia answered. ~She prefers it when we're out here with her.~

"Watch out for Team Aqua then, they're known to steal strong and rare Pokémon." He looked at Miku who was reaching for a vase of flowers on the table from my lap. "Especially water types."

"What do you know about Team Aqua?" Jake asked eagerly.

Riley shrugged. "No one knows much. They've been around for a while now but have only just started making themselves known. They stole my cousins Swampart."

I hugged Miku closer to me.

"So far though, they only bother trainers who get in their way. I want to fight them though, get my cousins Pokémon back."

Jake nodded. "Same here. People who steal Pokémon don't deserve to be trainers."

Jake, Milly and Riley continued talking about Team Aqua, nobody noticed me sitting with my head bowed, dreading the thought of having my Pokémon torn from me by an evil organisation. How could Jake and Milly even be considering fighting them, don't they remember what happened in Unova? I can't go through that again, I can't face Ghetsis again.

"Why you cry mama?" Miku asked from my lap, staring up at my with her wide innocent eyes.

I shook my head, quickly wiping my eyes and hope no one had seen or heard.

:I'm fine Miku... I was just thinking:

Miku smiled happily. "Okie dokie lokie pokie." She giggled.

I picked up the menu, buried my face in it in ate one to hide my face from my friends and Pokémon as they continued chatting about Team Aqua for the rest of the meal. I don't think they really noticed me stressing about it because they're used to me not saying anything and just sitting quietly but I could tell my Pokémon noticed the oddity in my behaviour over dinner.

When we finished we said goodbye to Riley and left for out room, Jake seemed pumped and overly happy about it, talking to Milly enthusiastically while I lagged behind with my Pokémon, clinging to Miku as if afraid of loosing her. We entered our room which had two simple bunk beds and a doorway leading to a small bathroom.

"I think we should fight them. If they're threatening people for items then they're no good." Jake announced, dumping his bag on the floor.

I tensed again, hanging my head as I refused to look at him.

"What's the matter Paige?" Jake asked, finally noticing that I was upset, sitting silently on one of the bottom bunks.

I explained to Gardenia what was bugging me who translated to Jake and Milly.

~Paige doesn't want to get involved with Team Aqua. She's still having trouble getting over what happened in Unova and if it repeated, she doesn't think she could get through it. If Team Aqua knows Ghetsis, it could end up being very bad news. She's afraid that if we get in their way, they'd hand her over to Ghetsis without a thought.~ Gardenia explained, sitting next to me and hugging me around the shoulder. ~I agree with her, that girl said Ghetsis is willing to pay Team Aqua for Paige... She'll be in danger if we get involved with them.~

~Jake, if you want to fight Team Aqua, fine but if you do, we're going to leave.~ Samurai said simply, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. ~I'm not going to let Paige get dragged into any danger.~

Under normal circumstances, I would tell Samurai that I wasn't a baby anymore and that I could handle it, but in all honesty, I couldn't. I couldn't go through anything like what I went through in Unova again. I'd gotten lucky by escaping Ghetsis and I doubt he would let me get away from him a fourth time. Team Aqua was obviously unneeded trouble and I wanted to avoid them at all costs, even if it meant to separate from Jake and Milly.

Jake knelt in front of me, the brown eyed trainer looked into my blue eyes. "Paige, you don't have to leave. If you don't want to confront Team Aqua, that's fine. We'll stay away from them. You're our friend Paige, you matter to us. So if you don't want anything to do with them, then we won't involve ourselves. Okay?"

I nodded, wiping my eyes as tears gathered.

"You're not alone anymore, you can tell Milly or myself anything." 

~Ehem, Paige hasn't been alone, Gardenia and I have been looking after her most her life.~ Samurai said, raising an eyebrow.

Jake rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean." He said as a load beep sound filled the room, silencing us.

"Attention trainers, the Pokémon Centre is under lockdown. Please return to your room and remain calm with the door locked until further instructions."

I whimpered and hugged Gardenia as the message repeated. Lockdown meant something was wrong, I'd seen it in movies.

Jake looked at Milly and she looked back before they both looked at me. "Do you think it's Team Aqua, we did see them here..."

I pulled Gardenia closer, burying my head into her chest. :They're after me!:

~Calm down Paige, it could be anything.~ Gardenia soothed, gently stroking my head. ~It might not even be Team Aqua, only that one member saw you.~

"Hate to be the bearer of bad news but you might want to check this out." Milly called for the window.

Samurai signalled for myself to stay with Gardenia on the bed while he and Jake followed Milly to the window. I heard Samurai mumble a bad word before turning to Gardenia, the two talking quickly in Pokétalk.

:Guys, you're scaring me. What's going on?: I whimpered as everyone began freaking out.

Angel jumped onto my lap, gently rubbing her head against my side. ~Sylveon.~ 

Gummie came up beside her, wrapping her gummy arms around me while Samurai and Gardenia seemingly argued. ~It's okay Paige, I'm sure it's nothing.~

"We have to check this out." Jake announced.

Samurai narrowed his eyes at him. ~You just agreed not to get involved with Team Aqua for Paige. Now you suggest we fight them.~

"Well we can't just sit here!"

Samurai shook his head. ~If we were to become to much of a nuisance to Team Aqua, they might try to get rid of us and with Paige, what better way then to make a bit of money out of it to. Ghetsis is after Paige and it's my job to protect her. If you fight them, we will leave because I am not having Team Aqua see Paige as a problem, capture her to hand her over to him. She's only just freed herself from him and I will not let any member of her team come harm by Ghetsis's hand again.~ His tone was completely serious, even having hints of anger in his voice.

Jake looked over at me as I cowered into the arms of my Pokémon. I didn't know what was going on and I was terrified because of it. Was Team Aqua here? Did they want to hand me over to Team Plasma? Would I have to leave Jake?

~Paige, calm down. Everything's okay.~ Gardenia soothed. ~Nothing's going to happen to you.~

I sniffled and wiped my eyes, looking at Jake fearfully.

He sighed. "Okay, we'll stay here. But if they come for our Pokémon, I will fight back."

Samurai shrugged. ~Naturally there but I don't want any unnecessary conflict.~

Jake sat beside, hugging me tightly. "You'll be alright. Nothing will happen to you." He promised.

I nodded, hugging him back as my small figure trembled in his grasp.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Word count: 2944

Hi guys. A nice long chapter for your patience. Sorry about any confusion with updates, the new update for Wattpad has the publish button right where the save button was so I keep hitting it when meaning to save the chapter rather then publish it.

Also, for any readers of 'Why us?', I'm fixing up some of the previous chapters, merging some together and editing out some unneeded parts so for the next little while chapter might be a little weird but not for to much longer ^.^