My dark boots scraped against the grass as I walked through the forest. Several young pikachu rolled a berry between themselves. Tall, luscious trees towered over me. I can't believe this is where I was born...

Eventually I came to a clearing. A quaint little house stood out against the greenery. At one time, it was once a cozy home. Now, it stood vacant in a state of disrepair as the exterior paint had peeled off and cobwebs stretched across the many broken windows.
I sat down at a weathered picnic table cautiously. It's a good thing I didn't weigh much. If I did, this table surely would've collapsed. I closed my eyes to collect my thoughts. So much happened since I left this house with Mom all those years ago, good and bad. But I couldn't help but wonder....

What if things turned out differently? What if my baby brother hadn't been kidnapped, and forced my father into such a depression that he lost his mind? I might still have a family, and I might not have had to fight for everything I had...

I became aware of humming close by. It began soft, but became louder. The voice was melodic; soothing. I dared to open my eyes, and saw Celebi himself in front of me.

"You wish to know if you would've had an easier life had you not lost your brother?" he asked.

I nodded.

"More than anything." The fairy-like Pokémon raised his arms above his head. His black rimmed eyes widened and began to glow brilliantly as our surroundings started to blur together.

"Then we must see exactly what your past entailed first."

Once the spinning stopped, I saw myself once more in the kitchen of the house. Only now, it wasn't in need of repair. The home looked alive. Two adults, a young girl, and an infant were in front of us. I recognized them as my mom, my dad, and myself. The infant... Had to be... My little brother.

"Watch carefully," Celebi instructed.

A young girl with black hair peeked over a man's arms to see. A tuft of red hair poked over the blanket in a crimson haired woman's arms, as Lunatone, her partner, hovered beside her.

"What is it?" The girl asked. The man ruffled her dark hair.

"Mi Estella... Say hello to your new baby brother." The woman, Mom, lowered her arms so that younger me could see. The baby yawned and opened his eyes. Brilliant metallic orbs met hers. "His name is Silver," Our father said proudly before wrapping an arm around his wife and daughter just as the scene faded.
~*~*~
The scene changed. It seemed that a few months had passed.

Hand in hand, little me walked with my dad. Silver sat on Mom's lap with her sneasal; his red hair puffed up in a spike. Dad went to them and lifted the baby off of her lap into his own arms. "How's my little rascal doing?" He asked with a grin. Silver smiled too.

"D-d-d..." He spurted.

"Go on," Dad encouraged. Silver's grin widened as he pointed at Dad.

"D-d... Dada!" Mom gushed.

"Aww, dada! That was his first word! Look at that, Vanni! You were his first word!"

Dad smirked.

"Look, I'm already his favorite." Holding Silver with one arm and holding me with his other, he hugged us both. "He may look like you, Arissa, but I think he's going to grow up to be like me." He placed a gentle kiss on top of my little head. "And you, my little star, you have my dark hair, but anyone can tell you take after your mom. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that." Little me nodded eagerly.

"Yes daddy." The setting shifted.
~*~*~
Mom hugged little me and kissed the top of my head while somehow managing to hold her suitcase. "Don't worry. I'll only be on a business trip for a few days. Daddy and Silver will be with you." Dad held my little brother out to mom so that she could press her cheek against his, then handed him to me so that he and mom could share a brief kiss. They broke apart just as a train whistle blew.

"Be careful, Arissa."

"I will. Don't miss me too much. I'll be back before you know it!" My red haired mother got on a train at that moment, and Celebi and I were whirled away.
***
Aunt Ariana was reading little me a story. By the time she finished, Silver had fallen asleep cuddled against Sneasal.

"Aunt Ariana...?" I'd asked. "When's Mom coming back?" The red head smiled.

"Soon, Starla. Really soon."
~*~*~
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HE'S GONE?!?!?!?" Dad shouted. The walls shook. In front of them lay an overturned crib and a broken window. Claw marks were etched into the carpet.

Mom rushed into the room, breathless. "I came as soon as I could when Ariana called me-" She froze upon seeing the war zone of a nursery. "No..." She glanced at my dad. "Gio... Tell me it's not true..." His face hardened.

"Where is my son, Arissa?"

"What do you mean? He was with you!"

"Well he's not here now, so where is he?!"

Little me tugged on his sleeve. "Daddy, where's Silver? Is he hiding?"

For the first time in my life, my own father raised his hand against me. In our spiritual states, next to me, Celebi winced.
~*~*~
Celebi watched with horror as I relived Dad becoming even more abusive, and Mom crying a lot. We could only watch as my father had his Ursaring use Beat Up on little me. Off to the side, I subconsciously thought of the scar left on my side from it.

Mom threw little me a medium sized backpack. "Fill it with everything you'll need. We need to get out of here now." Little me caught the bag.

"But Mom... What about Daddy?" She bent down in front of me and hugged little me.
"Your dad would've never hurt you or me. The man here now is a man who has yet to cope with the loss of our son. Until he finds Silver, Starla, he will take his rage out upon those closest to him:Us. So pack everything you want and need because we won't be coming back ever."
~*~*~
Lunatone transported us outside of our house in Hoenn upon my mom's orders when Dad burst into our house.

"Where is Silver?!"

"Gio!!! I don't know! It was only Starla and I here!" Her voice choked. "Please Gio, just leave us alone...!"

"Not until I find my son!"

"I don't know where he is!!"

"Fine." I heard a gunshot coming from inside. Celebi gasped. His blue eyes widened with horror, but remained focused on Little Me with Lunatone. My younger self seemed like a Deerling in headlights. Then the man who was once my father found little me outside. He had Ursaring grab Lunatone while he simply picked little me up as he walked away.

"Useless woman... Keeping me away from my own family..." Insanity gleamed in his eyes. "Now I have back my little star though. Together, with my Rockets, we will find my son." His eyes softened for but a moment. "Your little brother... We will find him!" And there's the crazy look in his eyes again.
~*~*~
The scene flashed. A few years had passed, and a thin girl with dark hair cropped short stared longingly out of a window with haunted eyes. Iron bars were just outside the glass.

Lunatone's capsule sat alone on a counter, next to Ursaring's. At first Little Me only took Lunatone. Someone cleared their throat behind me and I jumped.

"Starla..." It was my Aunt Ariana, wearing the red R over her chest. I clutched the pokéball close to me and backed away. She sighed. "This is terrible. He's taken it too far. I'm so sorry, Starla..." A sob caught in my throat, both the younger version of me, and the true me next to Celebi.

"He... Killed my mom." She nodded.

"I know. I am so, so sorry... I can't believe he did that. She was my sister..." With a flick of her red hair, her head turned to the ball in which Ursaring rested. "Take him with you. He's your dad's, but he would never hurt you unless it were his orders. He's strong, and he'll protect you." The younger me slipped both capsules into her pocket and hugged my aunt.

"I'll cover for you," she whispered.

"Thanks," Little Me replied quickly before releasing Lunatone to teleport her somewhere better, and the scene changed.
~*~*~
The surrounding area became that of a bustling city. I could recognize it as Castelia City, Unova. The preteen me dropped down against a sidewalk from Lunatone's Teleport. She looked around frantically.

"Lun... I don't know where we are..." A slightly older boy with tea green hair walked by and stopped as he saw the confused girl.

"Are you lost?" He asked. She nodded.

"I don't know where I am..." He smiled.

"This is Castelia City of Unova. It's the busiest city in the region." The girl looked crestfallen. "...it's getting late. You should get inside. It's not good to be out here at night." A tear fell down her face.

"...I don't know what to do. I don't have anywhere to go..." The young boy glanced at her sympathetically, then smiled shyly.

"If you come with me, I think Ghetsis would be willing to give you safety. You could join our group. We are trying to save Pokémon from cruel humans. I work with Ghetsis on it. He's the one who protects me when I'm in trouble."

"Ok..." Younger me sniffled. The boy took her hand.

"My name's N. What's yours?"

"Starla."

Celebi glanced at me. "That boy... He helped you..." I nodded.

"He did, but we were both tricked..."

"What do you mean?" The scene changed to a setting containing just my preteen self and an older green haired man with a red eye piece. Ghetsis.

"So... Who exactly are you, and why do you need me?" He asked my younger self.

"My name is Starla Rocketto," she answered quietly. "My mother is dead, and I have nowhere to go."

"Rocketto... You wouldn't happen to have a connection to Giovanni Rocketto, would you?" Ghetsis asked with intrigue. She nodded.

"Giovanni Rocketto is my father."

"So why wouldn't you stay with him? He is a very successful business man-"

"Who has lost his mind," she finished harshly. "I just got away from him." Ghetsis seemed deep in thought. Now that I've seen what he's really like, I knew he was wondering how he would benefit by adding me to his Team.

"See though, I only take in the best as grunts for Team Plasma..." Young Starla jumped up.

"I will do everything you ask of me to the best of my ability. I'll follow all orders." Her blue eyes shone pleadingly. "Please..." The man stared at her.

"You were too naïve," Celebi commented. I nodded.

"I know that now." Had I known then what I know now, I would've never listened to a word Ghetsis said. But I remembered how lost I was, how desperate. I couldn't blame my younger self for being so gullible.

The scene changed to a dark forest not unlike Viridian Forest. Two orange haired men and a girl dressed in silver clothing stood facing a teen girl with deep purple hair. The female grunt was holding the skull of a Dragonite. That was...me, wearing the Plasma uniform.

"You shouldn't have stolen that skull..." The violet haired girl said. The two men sneered at her.

"Well it belongs to Team Plasma now!" I relived seeing that teenaged girl use a wooden staff to defend herself against the grunts  with the help of a Dewott. The men advanced on her themselves, but she knocked them both out. Terrified that this girl would do the same to her, the female grunt, me, pressed herself against a tree.

"She's good," Celebi murmured. I nodded. If it weren't for her, I would probably still be with Team Plasma. Still a villain. We went back to watching the two girls. The violet haired girl came closer with slow steps.

"I'm sorry... I didn't want to steal it," she blubbered.

"So why did you?"

"Because Ghetsis said I had to!"

"Shh, it's ok. I'm not going to hurt you," she said softly."I'm just trying to return the artifact to the museum where it belongs." My younger self shook her head.

"No! Team Plasma needs this skull!" And she took off running, with the violet haired girl stealthily following behind. The "ginger" was in reality just running in random directions. Within minutes, she'd run straight into a person. It was a boy around her age, sporting a blue jacket over and red glasses. The boy's face hardened with determination when he noticed she had the skull and he threw out three pokéballs. Snivy, Purloin, and Pidove. I watched with sympathy. I hadn't been allowed to use my own Pokémon as a grunt, and my designated Pokémon had been borrowed by another grunt, who'd never returned it. So my younger self once again pressed herself against a tree in fear.

"Where are your Pokémon?" The boy asked. She shook her head.

"I don't have any..."

"Well that makes this easier. Look, you don't have any Pokémon, but I do. Besides, I'm a Dex holder, so just give me the skull-" Fury came over the petite girl as she clutched the artifact closer to herself.

"No! I don't care who you say you are! This Dragon Skull has been claimed by Team Plasma!" At that moment, the girl and her Dewott, as well as the Castelia City Gym Leader, Burgh, arrived just in time to hear the end of the female grunt's retaliation.

"Please tell me you weren't yelling at her, Cheren..." The girl said cautiously, while glancing at who she thought was a simple grunt with as much concern as she did for her own Pokémon. The boy rolled his eyes.

"Corona, she isn't going to give up the skull even though she doesn't have any Pokémon on her."

"Please return the Dragon Skull," Burgh requested calmly.

"We have you surrounded; you can't get away," the boy named Cheren added. My younger self backed up. Someone clicked their tongue behind the group.

"My, my. Three on one? Don't you think that's a bit unfair, Gym Leader Burgh?" A man in a brown asked. He had a white beard, and wore a brown cap. He was my old mentor during my time as a Plasma grunt, Rood of the Seven Sages. He turned to the my younger self.

"Go on. Return the Skull to them. It would seem, that this is not the Skull we have been looking for." She looked between the other three, then reluctantly handed the Dragonite Skull to the girl with purple hair.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"It's ok," the girl told her gently. "You returned the Skull; so you've made up for you and your partners."

"Come, Starla," the old man called impatiently. "We should return to Master Ghetsis."

"Or," Burgh suggested. "You could come with us to explain to the police and Leonora what happened. Your partners will be taken in for questioning and charged, but we've cleared your name. You could testify for them..."

"Or you can go back to being a criminal with Team Plasma," Cheren cut in. My younger self looked to the Sage with hopeful eyes. He sighed.

"I owe much to Ghetsis. I can't abandon Team Plasma. However... You owe him nothing. Yes, he's given you protection, but honestly, I don't believe you have to be dependent on him. You are young, and can still live an honest life. But know this..." He warned. "If you leave, Team Plasma will never let you return. And when Ghetsis finds out you've turned traitor..." Both shuddered. My younger self turned to Burgh. I already knew what she would say.

"I'll take my chances. I'll come with you guys. I'll talk." Glancing at the Sage, she said barely above a whisper, "Rood... Tell our King...." She hesitated. ".... Tell him, that I'm sorry. I joined Team Plasma to help pokémon. Not to commit crime..." Rood, nodded.

"I applaud your choice, Starla. Now be careful." He turned and walked away. Burgh looked at the three teens.

"Cheren, Corona! I expect to see you two at my gym soon!" He looked closer at the girl covered in shiny silver fabric. Red curls peeked out from her hood. I couldn't help but smile as she ripped her hood off. As well as a wig. Her dark, black hair tumbled loose.

"That's so much better..." She sighed. I grinned a little from the side. It really was.

"I trust that you won't run, right?" Burgh asked. My younger self shook her head. "Good. So you'll come along with me to the police station in Castelia City. We'll get your partners taken care of; and you can explain everything," Burgh said.

"Thank you," she told all of them.

Celebi glanced at me curiously. "They were trying to uphold justice, but they gave you a second chance?" I nodded.

"They gave me a chance to fix things." The scenery changed, as did the time, but Celebi made everything freeze, and all that surrounded us was a dark space that seemed to go on forever.

"I believe I've seen enough. I saw a few good things, but there is enough reason for me to alter the past for you." A tear slid down from his large blue eyes. "You poor girl..."

A light appeared in the darkness, spreading to reach my height. Four figures started as mere shadows, but became clearer as the portal grew. I saw my father, my mom, myself... And Silver... All smiling happily... Together.

"It's yours, if you want it," Celebi offered softly. My dad was grinning happily. Mom was laughing. Sliver and I were dancing hand in hand, beaming. The scene changed, and all four of us were hugging one another. I found myself reaching for the portal with a soft smile on my face. My family could be whole again...my horrible past would exist no more...

My fingers had already passed the barrier when another light appeared and stretched into a second portal. "Or, you can stay strong and have faith that you'll make it out alright in the end." The portal flashed to Cheren holding my limp body at N's Castle after Ghetsis had his Pokémon attack me with Hyper Beam when N lost to Corona in the battle of their beliefs with the two dragons.

"Come on... You'll be fine, Starla..." It sounded like he was trying to convince himself of that more than anyone else. Large tears slid down from behind his glasses. I watched with pained interest. This is what really happened? I wouldn't have known. After all, I'd been unconscious...

In the swirling vortex, I could make out the image of a photo containing four young adults. My arms in the photo were wrapped around Cheren's shoulders, and N had his hand over Corona's. All four of us were smiling.

It flashed to Cheren and I some time later. It appeared a few years had passed.Cheren no longer wore the wiry frames, or even the blue jacket. He now wore a crisp, white dress shirt and a red tie. His hair had been tamed, save for one cowlick. Even I looked more mature. I still wore leather boots, but my hair had grown out in long dark waves. My cloths were in pastel tones and were spotless. And we were currently throwing green slime at one another. I watched myself slip on some of the slime, and as Cheren caught me.

"I've got you," he murmured. "I'll always make sure nothing happens to you." The scene flashed, and all I saw was the back of my head and his arms around my waist. The portal zoomed in and stopped at my hand, where a sparkling engagement ring shimmered under dim light. At that moment, I snapped my hand out of the portal Celebi offered me and looked at the small green legendary.

"Thank you so much. I'd love to have my little brother back, and I really wish he was never kidnapped...."

"But?" Celebi asked. I turned to the portal that showed the life I now knew.

"The good things in the life I have now far outweigh the bad." I smiled at the scene. "If things hadn't happened like they did, I might not have met my best friends, or Cheren..."

"You're choosing to return to your own time?" Celebi asked. I nodded and went closer to the portal as the images of my family faded.

"Yes," I said softly with a smile, "because they made everything worth it." Celebi beamed as well.

"Well done. You've made the correct choice. You see, those of us with the gift to travel through time can go into the past as well as the future. However, no matter what anyone does, we cannot change the past." His eyes shined brightly. "But based on our actions and the actions of those around us, the future can be altered. Now go- return to your loved ones!"

The grass-psychic type legendary glowed, and a powerful, yet gentle wind pushed me into the portal.
~*~*~*~*~
I landed on the balls of my feet against the lush grass. I looked down at my hands. Solid. I pinched myself to make sure it wasn't a dream.

Ow. Nope, it wasn't a dream. That means I really did meet Celebi then...

The house was still in disrepair. Yet the sun was now setting... How long was I with Celebi?

"Starla!" My head whipped up at the sound of my name being called. A young man with black hair rushed into the clearing with a Stoutland by his side.

"Over here!" I shouted back. His eyes located me, and ran towards me, catching me in a tight embrace that I leaned into. I couldn't help but smirk.

"Worried?"

"You were gone for a long time..." He murmured into my hair. I kissed his cheek softly.

"I'm sorry. I guess I just lost track of time..."

"Don't worry about it. You probably just wanted to walk through the forest right?"

"Yeah..." His gaze fell on the house.

"It's strange that someone would build a house this deep in the forest though, isn't it? It looks like nobody has lived here for a while..."

"Cheren?" His blue eyes came back to mine.

"Yes?"

"This is where I used to live." He didn't say anything, but I saw his irises widen slightly.

"My family lived here until some time after my younger brother was kidnapped. My dad went crazy, so my mom and I left. I guess my dad hasn't exactly been taking care of the place..." His eyes seemed distant as he was deep in thought. I snapped my fingers in front of him.

"Cheren?"

"-huh?"

"What's on your mind?"

"I was just um, thinking..."

"About what?" Pink dusted his cheeks.

"You mentioned your younger brother a couple times. What was his name?" I smiled.

"Silver." His brow furrowed.

"You haven't seen him since he was kidnapped all those years ago?" I shook my head.

"Not once." I felt Cheren's arms pull me close to him.

"Maybe we should look for him."

"That's sweet, Cheren, but nobody knows where he could be. It could take forever to find him-" The noirette cut me off by pressing his lips against mine.

When we finally pulled apart, he held my gaze with his deep blue eyes. "We'll search for Silver, Starla. And we will find him. I don't care how long it takes. Until you can look me in the eye and honestly say that you've given up on him, I won't give up either."

"But it could be forever..." A wry smile came on his face.

"You are my forever. Wherever you go, whatever you do, I'll be with you for all of it."

"Thank you, Cheren. For everything." He kissed my forehead.

"You give me a purpose. It's part of why I love you." He took my hand in his as we began finding our way out of Viridian Forest. We didn't say much as we walked except for exchanging brief smiles with one another. We stopped once we were on the doorstep of my dad's old Gym. Even though we'd both be going inside together, I hugged him and didn't let go.

"What did I do to deserve this? Not that I'm complaining. Just tell me so I can do it again." I only hugged him more firmly.

"I'm just so glad to have you in my life. I never thought much of it, but I never realized how much I have to be grateful in my life until I saw it all flash before my eyes."