I don't know why I missed this before, but Melissa left a small message. A small message reading: "Keep your head up..." Don't know why she wrote it, but looking at Elysa's, it has nothing but her signature on it; which doesn't look like a girl have written it.

"Lucky, you get something more than I did. But do you have any idea what it means?"

"No, not really."

"Hmm, I guess we'll have to find out if we can find her again.

"Yeah, can you help me with my project that's due when we go back to class?"

"Sure, through a project this early, gee. Your teacher must hate you."

"Yeah, I guess."

----------------

"Hey, Crystal wake up, I'm heading to class... I'm really thinking about getting an alarm clock for you, it's been four days since we got off of the break, and you're still snoozing."

"Huh... Oh yeah, thanks again... I don't think you would have to buy a clock for me, just doing late night homework, that's all."

"Come on now," she drags my blankets off of me. "And better be because of late night homework, otherwise, I'm just going to leave you here for the next few days."

"Okay, okay I'm up."

"Good, I'll see you later."

"You too. Come on, Kayla let's start washing up."

"Es," she tiredly mews.

"Oh come on, we weren't away from school that long. Besides, I want to be the first to breakfast, have some homework I didn't do for the last four days. It's easy, though."

"Espeon," she mews in annoyance.

"Hey, it's not like you have to do this," I reply, scratching her head, getting off my bed to go and wash up.

Coming back out, with a new set of clothing and all, I stuff all my school possessions, and pick up Kayla before leaving the dorms. With small yawns here and there, we wait outside the cafeteria, as we come a bit too early. Today being a bit more chilly than the normal morning, cold enough that I'm able to see my breath as well as Kayla's. Which really doesn't bother both of us much, but it sure bothers some of the others waiting for the cafeteria to open. Most are crowding around the ones who have a fire type to keep warm, but only because they know each other.

"Hey, we have some room over here, you want to join?"

Looking up, a boy looking younger than me looks to me.

"No, I'm fine."

"You sure? It's really cold out right now, and the cafeteria doesn't open for another twenty or so minutes."

"This really isn't as bad as it is in Sinnoh. I'm fine, but thank you."

"Okay then," he chuckles a little, then running off to his group of friends.

"Should've just stayed in bed a little longer," I mutter while scratching Kayla's head.

"Espeon."

Ting-a-ling ting-a-ling

Looking around, I notice Cerin running around everyone, making a fuss with all the groups. With shouts and complaints to the near rampant Zorua, she runs past me, and to be pounced on by an Absol. Surprising enough, and a bit very stupid to me that anyone would do; other students actually cheer that the Zorua was stopped.

Slowly walking over to the two Pokemon, Junu picks up Cerin off the ground, and starts to silently say something to her.

"Sorry for the wait, kids, come on in!"

With a near stampede of other students rushing in - and being yelled not to run - to get away from the cold, while Kayla and I walk in last. Taking a seat at an empty table in the corner of the cafeteria, I quietly take out my homework. Only listening to the sounds of others chatting, the faint scratching of my pencil, and the few TVs streaming the only channel that the academy shows: the news channel. From the TVs, it grabs my attention, as the camera shoots to a female adult, and behind her are a bunch of IPB and police vehicles.

"Excuse me! Excuse me! What is going on here, do you have any information for us, ma'am?"

"The only thing that the people need to know is that the Flare cooperation has been doing illegal experimentation, and I highly suggest that you and your crew stay away and ask later. That's all you need to know."

"Ma'am, can you answer what illegal experimentations that they have been doing? Can you answer that?"

"No, that is classified, as I do not have the authorization to give information at the moment, now please get out o-" the woman stops, and leans into a man in a coat that whispers something to her, making her stern and serious face into more of surprise and happiness.

"Really?"

With a slow nod from the man, the woman turns around and runs to the hole in a side of a hill. As the woman in the screen fades away into the busy groups, I hear the creaking of the table on the other end of where I sit. To notice that Junu happens to be sitting there, but starts to walk off to the communications booths.

"I kindly request that you stop recording here, this isn't a safe place to be here! James, Markus, get them out of here!"

"Well, that was awfully rude of the IPB to kick our crew out like that, on other news, the performer Melissa Moon was found dead. Police officers are still clueless on how the performer had died. Evidence continues to elude the police, as her Pokemon as well have mysteriously vanished. We will be continuing this story after a short break."

With murmurs going about, everyone starts to question how Melissa Moon was dead, a few start to create a rant that it's false information. Loud and noisy enough that one of the teachers in the cafeteria comes and settles everyone down. Looking over to the communications booth, Junu silently stands, his body indicating frustration rather than grief.

But to hear that Melissa Moon is now dead... that is something, who would even bother to kill her?

-----------------

One Day Later

"Crystal Quin! Come on over here for a moment, someone came here to see you!"

Walking silently to Mr. Young, he gestures me to follow him, as another teacher comes in and takes his place.

"You better be honest with them, okay? I personally don't know why the IPB want you," he opens a door in one of the main hallways of the stadium.

Revealing the same woman from yesterday on TV, sitting down in a chair, and to look at us. Also noticing a Braixen sitting nearby.

"Alicia?" Mr. Young says in surprise, before speaking another language which I cannot identify.

Bowing to Mr. Young, the woman too starts speaking, before looking to me, "So you are Crystal Quin, correct? And what's your friend's name?"

"Kayla..."

"Don't worry, you're not in big trouble or anything, just have a few questions to ask you. Mind if you leave, samchon? This is a little private."

"Of course, though mind if we just talk a little after you're done? Or do you have no time?"

"We'll see, not sure what my boss wants of me exactly."

"Okay, I'll be waiting outside then."

With the door closing with a soft thud, Alicia gestures me to take a seat, as she places down a few pictures on the table. Taking a seat, Kayla climbs onto my laps, eyeing the Braixen for some reason. Looking down to the pictures she shows me... it's two pictures of my parents wearing Flare uniforms...

"Well I could already see it on your face, but these are your parents, correct?"

"Y...Yeah, though that can't be them!"

"Sorry Crystal but they are. They were one of the few to be working on an illegal experimentation on both pokemon and human. Though they did say that they claim that you are not a part of, and to be taken good care of. Though did you know that they were a part of Flare?"

Shaking my head in disagreement, I pick up one of the pictures of my mom... same features and all, even in Flare uniform.

"They also told us to tell you that you shouldn't be discouraged that they did bad things, and wish that you continue on to be whatever you want. Just that you don't follow their footsteps. However, you'll still attend this school, but having a guardian for you will be a little problem..."

"Sorry to intrude, but maybe I could take her in, Alicia."

"Samchon, you know what rules I have to follow by! How much did you hear?."

"Well the part where she wouldn't have a guardian, but I could take her with me!"

"You sure he'll be okay with it?"

"Yeah, I'm sure of it. He'll be fine. Though would it be okay for me to take her in as our family?"

"Well, would you like Mr. Young here to be your father?"

Pondering over the thought, most of me is saying yes, seeing that mom and dad worked with an evil organization and all... no longer have a home to go to either...

"If this is a little troublesome for you, we could wait for a few more days if you like."

"No, I would like to take Mr. Young's offer. I really don't have anywhere else to go to, nor can I pay the rent for the dorms."

"Very well, well samchon, looks like you finally have a daughter."

"At least I would take care of her more close than your own son."

"Jacob is more than capable, though I did get him a babysitter while I'm out. Anyways, I just need you to sign here, Crystal so I could send this over to make you officially a part of the Young family."

"Thank you, Mr. Young."

"It's really nothing, though you wouldn't mind Junu being your brother, right?"

"No, not really a problem... I didn't notice that he was your son."

"Well that's why he's a little edgy with me during class, anyways you can return to class if you like. Alicia, you do have time, right?"

"Yeah, a few moments, though. Julia, mind if you go and take this to the car?"

Walking out the room, just feeling... nothing, no shock, no grief, no anger, just nothing...

"Espeon," Kayla rubs against my legs, grabbing my attention away from my empty thoughts.

"Thanks, Kayla... I guess we have a new family now."

----------------------

"What do you mean that you are leaving?"

"Well, not from the school, just the dorms."

"Why? Did something come up?"

Nodding silently to her, she just starts asking why.

"M-my parents... erm... worked with Flare, so they're in prison for the rest of their lives. But Mr. Young decided to take me."

"Oh, sorry, Crystal. You are fine, right?" she wraps an arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah, I am..."

"Well I guess I don't have to worry about being late for my classes because of you now," she starts to laugh, giving me a smile as well.

"But are you sure that you won't be the one to oversleep?"

"Nah, that never happens to me. Here, let me help you with that."

---------------

"You ready, Crystal?"

"Yes, Mr. Young... I'd like to thank you again."

"Hey, it's the best I could do, though Junu may be surprised to see that you're his new sister."

"Yeah, I guess..."

"Sit tight, we'll be home in a few minutes."

When Alicia left, she handed something to Mr. Young, which was for me. A small letter written by my parents, telling me that I should go and find a new home, a new family. As they admit that they didn't the best with me, considering that work was very hectic. Saying that the only good that they made was me, that they didn't want anything bad to happen to me, to be a good girl, a girl that'll grow up to a woman, and to live a happy life.

"Well, we're here. I'll take your stuff for you, you go ahead and go to your room."

Opening the car door, to the two story house, the house looking of similarity to the other houses in the neighborhood. With a bag slung across my shoulder, I enter the house through the garage door. Entering the room, I take a left into the kitchen, where Mrs. Young is cooking something.

"Ah, you must be Crystal, so how are you doing?"

"Good, Mr. Young told me that I should go and look to my room."

"Well you can say hi to Junu on the way, it's on the second floor, the room next to his. You'll know which one. You must be Kayla, hmm?" She kneels to pet Kayla.

The house's walls are mostly decorated with pictures of Junu's family, and one picture showing him and another boy -that looks older than him- playing with a smaller than usual Poochyena. Before setting foot onto the stairs, a familiar ringing comes from above, as Cerin appears from the top, and climbs down.

As she reaches the bottom, she circles around me before conversing with Kayla. With them talking to each other, I climb up the stairs to find my room. Walking by a green colored room, I notice Junu reading a book with Lock resting by his side.

"Welcome to your new home, Crystal. It's the one next to mine," he informs, not taking his eyes from his book.

"Thanks, Junu."

Walking into the near empty, blue colored room, it's a bit spacious, the window looking out to a street, and beyond that the nearby forest. Setting my bag onto the plain white covered bed, I gaze to the forest, just in a trance, nothing to see other than the trees softly dancing in the light breeze...

"So, do you like the room?"

"Oh, yes, Mr. Young, it's not that bad. A little bigger than my old room."

"Well, that's good to hear. But you don't always have to call me Mr. Young, you can call me appa, which is another way to say, dad. I wouldn't mind at all, at school you'll have to be calling me Mr. Young, however."

"Okay. I think I can use appa, just sounds different, different enough to not make it weird for me."

"That's good to hear. On the other hand, did Junu welcome you?"

"He did."

"Did he just tell you what room yours is? Don't worry, it's fine to tell me."

"Yeah, he did, though is there a reason why?"

Taking a small sigh, Mr. Y- I mean appa starts, "Well from what I heard Alicia's younger brother was found dead a few days ago. The cousin that Junu got along very well, always kept secret contact ever since Alicia's younger brother ran away from home."

"Oh, so is he usually like that, though, I mean as of right now?"

"Not really, he's a little more open. Probably just mad that his cousin is gone... Anyways, dinner will be coming around two hours, you want some help unpacking or no?"

"I think I'll be fine unpacking myself. Though do you have a wifi I could connect to? There's a Showcase competition going on soon, and I'd like to watch it if that's fine, of course."

"Sure, at a curiosity, which performer do you like?" He queries while I hand him my laptop.

"Well, a few days ago she was found dead too..."

"Ah, Melissa, that girl was surely impressive, pity that someone thought otherwise. Though I've heard reports that she never existed, not in a single database or record, strange isn't it?"

"Wait, isn't Melissa Junu's cousin?"

"Cousin? Where did you get that from?

"Junu told me when I went to go and see her last performance."

"Hmmm, well I'll figure it out later. Otherwise, if you need help unpacking just call. Oh, before I forget, you better have your homework finished."

"I do, appa."

"Good, that's the kind of child I would like to see."

When he leaves, I start to unpack my possessions, and the first box I open happens to contain the case that Melissa gave me. Seeming more relevant more than ever... wonder why she added that to mine...

In the middle of packing, the doorbell rings but doesn't really grab my attention. Yet it does bring the attention of Junu as he leaves his room and looks over the edge of the second floor. Then goes down as someone says hi to him.

Continuing to mind my own business and unpacking, I don't notice that someone stands in the doorway of my room until she speaks.

"So, liking this place so far? My uncle is taking good care of you right now?"

"Yeah, thanks for helping me out, Alicia."

"No problem... though would you like to talk to your parents tomorrow? You don't have to."

"... Will I be able to see them again after tomorrow?"

Shaking her head, Alicia answers, "Sorry but what they did makes them sent to a special prison. This is a special offer for you, and only time."

"I'll take the offer then, seeing this may be the last time I'll see them."

"Don't worry, I'll try my best so that you can have at least some form of contact with them. But that isn't a promise, though."

With tears starting to fall from my eyes, I run up to her and hug, "Thank you..."