Flora's Pov

Flame was at the dining room while looking through dozens of pictures of Dawn as a kid and with ones with me in them. I sneakily went over to give him a big hug from behind "Flame!" I smiled. He looked under his arm to look at me and chuckled.

"Hey Flower" I let go to face him and see Dawn walking over to us with a unreadable expression "and if it isn't Sunrise" he laughed "Haven't seen you in a long minute. Look who's the short one now" Flame smirked, making Dawn's unreadable expression turn to one full of hatred.

"Shut up!" Flame laughed and messed up her hair. I giggled and watched her try to push him off her. I can quite remember how much Dawn disliked him simply for my attention. I guess things haven't changed.

"Why are you so upset for? You're name is Sunrise" he teased.

"It's Dawn!" She pointed at his face "You jerk! You think you have some right being close to Flora when you were part of Team Galactic!? I lost her for so many years because of you! You were the blame for everything!" Starting off rough already?

"I do admit that everything was my fault, but things worked out. You shouldn't be yelling" Flame snorted "We lost each other for years already and reunited years later, so don't be mad that I ended up staying close to her" he stuck his tongue out, making Dawn more angry.

"You shouldn't have left in the first place!"

"Though that's true, who would've been there to save the world?" This shut Dawn up immediately and turn away "I get that you were upset, but things happen for a reason" she sighed.

"Yeah, I guess that's the best reason, but I still don't like it" she crossed her arms "I just wish... I could had been there for you" she frowned at me. I smiled and held her hands.

"Flame and I haven't seen each over in over 10 years, Dawn. I lived outside, so I wouldn't want you to leave a place like this that could take care of you" she pouted. My stomach growled again, making Flame laugh and pet my head while Dawn got her staff to serve the food so we could sit and talk about our journey, but not before Flame and Dawn started trying to fight to sit next to me. In the end I ended up sitting at the end of the table with them on each side of me. Things really don't change... It's quite funny.

The story of our journey started from beginning to end. It didn't make sense to tell the reporters about our journey, but it was fine to tell those who wanted to help us. Dawn learned everything, all except Angel. Dawn ended up throwing food at Flame each time I told her some negative things he ended up doing.

Flame told his side of his story as well, which surprised even me to hear. He was actually in the headquarters in Eterna city after we separated, but I wouldn't have known if he never said anything.

After he said what he had to say and ended up telling her that we slept in the same bed a few times, Dawn challenged him to a duel in the foam pit she had in one of the rooms in the mansion. I sweatdropped at their rivalry like it was still fresh.

"I'll make you pay for everything you did!" Dawn waved around her weapon like a madwoman "You take her away from me and you have some nerve to do what you want with her body!?" I flinched, not expecting her to say that.

"It wasn't like that!" Flame fought, blocking her attacks "I would never do anything to harm her!" Dawn stopped swinging when she was out  of breath "I always treated her with respect"

"You... really changed" she said, still gasping for air "You use to be so small and weak. Your voice was high and I always beat you in every game we play, but look at me now" she leaned on her knees "I'm out of breath while you're tall and strong. You blocked my attacks like I was some stuffed animal"

"There's no point in fighting with you. I know how much Flower means to you. We don't have to fight like this, since we both have a different kind of relationship with her" Dawn looked at him confused while I took a moment to sink in what he said before blushing hard!

She looked down and tossed her weapon into the foam pit, giving up "We're still friends, Sunrise" he said, tossing his weapon as well "Nothing can change that"

"Stop calling me that" she held in her anger "I just hate how you ended up getting closer to her when I couldn't get a chance"

"Like I said. Our relationships are different with her"

"What do you mean by that?"

"She's my girlfriend" he said with such confidence. I gasped mentally with my face on fire and ended up losing my balance into the foam pit. D-Did he really say what I think he said!?

"Oh?" Dawn held her hip as Flame dived down to get me out the pit. He scooped me up and kissed my cheek, making my heart shoot out my chest, metaphorically "Is that true, Flora?" Dawn asked, sitting on the duel plank.

"I-I think so..." I looked down. After all we've been through, it kinda makes sense... It's just so unexpected to hear! I wasn't even asked!

Dawn smiled and nodded "Well then, that means she can be my best friend now and not you" she laughed. These two have such a weird rivalry.

"I never understood why you always fought over me. It's not like I'm really all that special" the two looked at each other before turning to me.

"What? Don't tell me you don't remember" Dawn held her hips "It was about a year before you left the resort"

Flame's Pov

~Years ago~

"Sweetie" my mom called while we were in the dining table "Your friend, Dawn, is coming to visit for the party to play. Isn't that exciting?" She smiled. I didn't really much have a reaction to knowing that, since Dawn and I weren't friends due to her always bullying me.

I had sat in the living room while staring up at a Christmas tree, avoiding most of my parent's guest in the party they throw every winter. I spotted my mom greeting her guest and went to ask her if I could go to my room, but she ended up getting a phone call and went to the other room. I followed.

"Are you getting comfy in your new home?... what?! You're actually coming to my party!? I was sure you'd be too tired from your trip" Her eyes beamed while speaking on the phone "in that case, I'm looking forward to it!" She squealed excitedly. I don't think I ever seen her so excited "everyone will wait for your arrival! Please take care of yourself!" I wondered who she's expecting "Okay! See you then!" She hung up and saw me watching her "Oh, Homura, dear! Did you hear all that?"

"Who was that?" I asked. She smiled and picked me up to spin me around happily.

"My best friend is coming to live next door to us! I haven't seen her in a good while. She's coming here sooner than planned, and I'm so happy"

"Dawn is moving next to us?" I was disgusted.

"No, not Dinah" that's Dawn's mom's name "Her name is Melody. She's coming with her daughter, Ume, or Flora. You two haven't been together since you were in diapers, so I don't think you would remember her. I hope you'll become close friends" I just nodded, glad it wasn't Dawn, but I hoped they won't bully me too.

I never had any friends around the resort or in our parent's social group. I had nothing in common with anyone and I was always the odd one out. Nobody bothered with me because of my size, so I don't doubt that this new girl would be the same as everyone else who looked down on me.

I left the party to get away from all the noise and stopped when my Ralts appeared in front of me. Due to his shy nature, he wasn't often around, but he tries his best "Let's go for a walk" he nodded and laid on my head as I wandered off on my own, looking at the mansion that was always empty next to ours "Someone is living there now. I think they're coming soon" I ignored it and caught something in the corner of my eye. I ended up seeing a sparkle leading me somewhere. I quickly followed it, as curious as I was, and ended up at the backyard of the mansion next door to us that was full of different flowers all over the place! It had a strong smell of perfume. The sparkle lead me around the garden, taking me to where a girl with lavender hair was sitting on a bench with a blue Pokémon covered in white cotton on the end of it.

"Who is that..?" I don't think I ever seen her before, but the color of her hair made me think of my moms best friend. As I was about to approach her, the blue Pokémon got her attention and ended up flying off, leaving her there. A Ralts appeared beside her and looked our way before they disappeared at the same time I ended up back at the party. My Ralts ended up taking me here and fled.

"Ralts!" I glared, upset that I was brought back here.

"Homura- I mean Flame! There you are!" My mom came over to pick me up. Her calling me Flame was common around other people since her and her best friend decided to name their kids in an foreign language and wouldn't be understood by other people. Homura is another language for Flame "You came just on time! There's someone I want you to finally meet in person!" She escorted me to a pretty lady with warm blue eyes and short lavender hair, almost like the girl I saw earlier, but I didn't see her eyes.

"Oh my!" She gasped at my presence "You've grown so much! Those video chats couldn't show how handsome you are!" She cupped her hands in awe. I searched for the girl that I was going to meet with her, prepared to meet my next bully and avoid her as much as possible "He's so cute" the lady giggled.

"He's very shy" mom said "Where's that daughter of yours? I'm dying to see how much she grew as well" the lady sighed and held her own cheek with a frown, like she was sad about something.

"Well... You know I lost my husband a few months ago" mom put me down to hold the lady's hands "Ume- I mean Flora, still hasn't gotten over him being gone. She's usually to herself and always reads her book with her Ralts and my Altaria. She hasn't been the same since. She's a bit... cold. I'm sure she's not interested in making any friends"

"I'm sorry to hear that..." my mom frowned. The lady sighed.

"I asked her Ralts to bring her to the party at this time, but I haven't seen her around. She's probably hiding again in any area that has flowers" if she doesn't want to make friends, it's one less thing to worry about. I ended up leaving their conversation to find a new hiding place to find outside, and ended up bumping into Dawn.

"Watch it, loser!" She glared, brushing her big dress "You'll get my princess dress dirty!"

"Who cares about your dress!? You should had watch where you're going!"

"How dare you!? This dress is worth more than you!" The kids behind her started laughing at me "What are you doing out here anyway? Already deciding to run away like a big baby?" As much as I wanted to hit her, that would cause a scene and I'll get in big trouble for it. I won't earn respect if I ended up using violence.

"None of your business! Leave me alone!" Ralts appeared beside me "Ralts! Get me out of here! I can't stand these jerks!" Ralts hid behind me, making the kids laugh more.

"What a wimpy Pokémon! You two match each other perfectly!" A kid laughed at me. I was shaking in anger, so tired of being treated like trash. They're always making fun of me for my size and my bad grades. I hate them!

Just as I was about to run away and cry, I spotted another Ralts beside a big tree we were by that had tons of flowers. My eyes spotted the side view of that girl with the lavender hair watching our conversation.

It seemed like I was the only one that noticed her and I was suddenly attacked when I was caught off guard. They pushed me into some mud and laughed at me to the point where I sobbed so loud that I wish my mom would just come and take me to my room.

"Hey" I looked at Dawn noticing the girl called Flora not even paying attention to us "What are you doing there? Are you the new girl?" The girl closed her book and turned to us, showing us her dull brown eyes.

"Yes" she responded blank, like there wasn't a speck of emotion in her body.

"You want to play with us? We were just putting this loser in his place" Dawn smirked at me. I glared, hiding my sobs and watched Flora just staring with no interest.

"I have no reason to become friends with someone who puts someone down just because they're different" everyone was silent at her serious tone. Even I was surprised "What's the point in wasting your time bothering someone who may not be in your life in the future. You are simply being childish and should look into more important things. This world revolves in differences between all sorts of people. If you continue to push around anyone different from you, you aren't worth anything to this world" my jaw dropped.

She looked at me with those dull eyes "If you can't stand up for yourself now, how will you grow to show that you are worth something in the future?" she looked at everyone "We are nothing but kids, even so, leave behind those childish beliefs you have and grow up a little. Laughing just because someone fell into mud. If it was the other way around, you wouldn't like it, would you?" she turned to leave "I'm leaving" she walked away. I stood up and took a deep breath.

For someone who was smaller than me, I'm surprise she can say something an adult would say. If she manages to speak like that, I can manage to stick up for myself and show that I'm worth more than what these kids see.

"I'm going to become her friend" I said out loud, determined.

"Not before I do" Dawn told me.

"Are you stupid? She just insulted kids like you. You have nothing else to do but bother me instead of worrying about yourself. You're never going to chance, Sunrise" I mocked her name. she glared at me.

"Want to bet?" I huffed and turned to where Flora was walking away.

"Flora!" She kept walking "I'm going to become your friend first! I'll show you that I can change!"

"I'll change too!" Dawn yelled after.

"Get real!" I glared. She groaned and attacked me to the mud, getting her dress dirty with me.

~~

Flora stared at us while we explained our story or our rivalry "You two are so silly" she held her forehead "Just because I said some words made you this way?"

"They weren't just words. They were words that inspired us. It was a bad excuse to fight, but we really admired you for your words of wisdom" I said "But you understand why Dawn and I hated each other. She was a bully and I was a little kid who couldn't stick up for himself. What you said made us realize how childish we were and we tried becoming your friend"

"I use to bully Flame for fun, but what you said made us sort of work together to get your attention. We changed mostly to get your approval, because you were so cool when you said those words" Dawn held her cheeks in awe.

"You were different from the other kids, so I hoped we could understand one another because you and I didn't have any friends. I was lonely myself, but I worked hard" I felt Dawn frown beside me.

"I'm sorry, Flame" she told me "I was just a kid and made your childhood making you feel like you were worth nothing. I had no right to act big when I was just a kid myself. I was always indifferent from you, especially because your mom was this famous contest star. I was jealous. We've grown up, so it's safe to say that you and I both won this bet" she offered her hand "Will you forgive me?" I shook her hand.

"It would be childish if I didn't after you apologized respectfully, Sunrise" I chuckled, making her roll her eyes and look at Flora off in space.

"Flower?" I called. She came back to earth and looked at Dawn.

"Sorry, but could Flame and I speak in private?" Dawn nodded and left the room to give us privacy "Flame... I just remembered after you guys told me that story. As a kid, I felt like my world crumbled down after I lost my dad. My heart had became cold, and ever since that day I just wasn't the same. I didn't care about anything but my family and flowers. This was what the lake Pokémon were talking about. My bright heart was corrupted by negative emotions, and it blinded my spark. The only reason why I actually took you guys in as friends was because you two were annoying" she cleared her throat, ashamed to admit that "But it was only because my shadow covered my heart"

"So much for a touching beginning" I sweatdropped.

"My point is, I might have thought you two were annoying, but you both were willing to change for me. I began to warm up, but I wasn't exactly all the way there" she took out her Adamant orb "No matter how hard I tried to open up to you and Dawn, it was difficult. It was because I lost my dad and lost every part of who I use to be. Just on the edge of having some emotion when you and I were out on an adventure, my whole life changed when Mesprit gave me my barrier to protect my heart. I don't think you remember, but once Mesprit gave me that barrier, I cried..." She looked down "I cried after not being able to in so long, and after so was when we lost each other. It's sad that it happened, but I'm glad we left. We wouldn't be who we are today if it wasn't for that adventure" I wiped her tears away and held her close, knowing how much she was holding it back as kids. It's okay, Flora. All is well and done. We can finally rest and express our true feelings.