Lucas quickly stood up after I dropped my cup in shock. I was too lost for words to properly apologize for shattering it "She's... Missing?" I asked, trying to process what I just heard "Missing..." I thought back at how worried auntie has been looking at me and how much she was crying. She didn't want to worry me, but the fact that I never knew...

"I haven't learned a thing about her in years... and all of a sudden I learn about this..?" I bit my lips hard, staring at my shaking fist pressing down on my knees "She's missing..?"

"Octavia, we should had told you before" Lucas ended up saying "But we didn't want to worry you" I didn't move "We thought it was better that you didn't know"

"She's missing?" I repeated.

"Y-Yes..." I snapped my head at him with a glare, freaking him out with my dark expression.

"She's fucking missing and nobody fucking told me!?" I shouted loudly and broke the coffee table in half with my fist "This is so fucking annoying..." I glared hard, unable to control my anger "I'm here all smiling and relaxed while she's out there probably in danger"

"Octavia, relax!" Lucas panicked "We don't know if she's in danger or not!"

"That doesn't make it better!" I held in my scream, not wanting to make an outburst in front of so many people "I'm not going to just stand here and pretend she isn't out there and needs my help! She doesn't even know that I'm..." I started crying "I can't stand the thought of her never knowing that her big sister is finally trying to find her" I took a deep breath and slowly looked at the table, trying not to destroy more of it "I'll pay for the damages... If you'll excuse me" I rushed out.

"Wait!" Rowan called me along with everyone else. I ignored them and tempted to leave Sandgem Town towards Jubilife, but there was a route between us.

"I can't go around looking for her while on buses or cabs..." I squeezed my fist, shaking so hard from the cold and anger. This stupid towel was still on my head and I didn't put on my jacket "I can't go with the way that I am..." I sobbed into my hands "I just rushed out without properly thinking. What am I suppose to do..?"

"The best thing you can do is wait" I looked up and felt a jacket being placed on my shoulders. I turned around to see Leslie standing behind me.

"You..." he looked down at me.

"Platina has been missing for a month. It was Lucas's idea to not tell you since Johanna does not like talking about her disappearance and has been contacting the police for updates" I fully faced him "We haven't gotten any news. No matter how worried we are, we can't blindlessly run without knowing where to start"

"This is my sister we're talkin about!"

"And she's our friend, and Johanna's niece, who we all known for years" I looked down, unable to say the same for her and I "I understand your frustration, but coming out here while scared of Pokémon will not do you any good" I flinched at him "What? You think I didn't see you get startled by that Starly earlier? I forgot the Professor's briefcase and saw that"

"I...I..." I started to sob again "I don't know what to do. I feel like I have no right to even look for her when she's not even expecting me. I've never been out on my own, so I wouldn't know where to start. Seeing even a Pokémon freaks me out. Platina is an amazing person and would be embarrassed to have a sister like me... I want to go find her, but I..." a hand was placed on my head. I looked up at Leslie confused, seeing that his expression softened a bit.

"I get it. You don't have to try so hard. We're all waiting for her return" I wiped my tears "You're a good enough sister to be expecting to see her and be excited. She would be as well"

"You think so..?" His lip curved a bit.

"Probably" I pouted while he let out a soft chuckle "Come on. Your hair is still wet under that towel. We need to get back before you get sick again" I nodded and followed him back to the lab, feeling embarrassed about making an outburst and suddenly coming back to get judged.

"Thank you..." I ended up saying "You keep popping up and carrying me. I promise this will be the last time"

"You're a lot of trouble" I whined at this.

"I'm trying my best!" He snorted a bit and opened the door for me. I blushed and walked back into the lab, seeing all eyes on me. I flinched and hid behind Leslie "I'm sorry everyone... for what you saw there" Banette came over to me to get scooped into my arms "I'm sorry I left you. I wasn't thinking" I hugged her closely.

"It's understandable that you were upset" a scientist, who Lucas told me earlier was his dad, said coming up to us "I didn't expect a small lady like yourself to be so strong. Do you do training?" My face went bright red.

"I was already strong before training with a friend who's an martial artist. I can honestly say I don't know where the strength comes from" he laughed at my statement, not in the way of making fun of me, but found the story and the table breaking to be funny.

I calmed down and moved away from Leslie to see Rowan coming towards me "Octavia" he spoke.

"I-I'm sorry about the table! I'll get it replaced! And the mug!" He waved his hand.

"Don't worry about that. Your anger was expressed, so no worries"

"I'll replace it!" I shut my eyes, feeling embarrassed "I should had controlled my anger. What I did wasn't right"

"And I'm saying it's okay" he pet my head, making me look up at him "You can replace it if you feel so strongly to do so" I nodded "Come. I can finally show you what I've been wanting to give you" I followed behind him.

"I hope it's not too much trouble. I'll appreciate it no matter what-" I stared at a Pokéball he showed me in his hands. H-He's giving me a Pokémon..? "What's this..?" I felt Leslie standing behind me. I held in my breath, trying not to freak out. I really hope it's just a empty Pokéball...

"I went out my way to get this Pokémon for you that I think would suit you perfectly" I quickly hid behind Leslie "What's the matter?"

"She fell into the lake because she freaked out over a Starly rubbing on her" Leslie explained "She has a Banette, yet is scared of Pokémon"

"Bana is my doll!" I argued, not wanting to label her as a Pokémon only so I can keep calm around her "I don't like Pokémon. Thank you for going out your way to give this gift to me, but I'll have to decline"

"You're scared of Pokémon? Did something happen that made you feel that way?" Rowan asked. I looked down, not wanting to talk about it "well, if that's how you feel... I'll need to find another way to show my appreciation for helping us" I quickly waved my hands.

"That's very unnecessary! Like I said! You don't have to-"

"Could you at least see what I have here?" He asked. I stared at the ball in his hand, thinking that it wouldn't be so bad to see what he got for me. It's very rude to not accept a gift, but this is all I could do.

"S-Sure..."

"Come on, Octa!" Barry said "What's so bad about a Pokémon? They're here to be our friends, not hurt us" what did he call me? "No matter what, that Pokémon in your arms is a living creature, not a doll. That Starly was only showing you affection" Lucas pushed him a bit.

"Are you trying to make the situation worse again?"

"Hey, it's not like I knew not telling her Platina is missing was a secret! It's not my fault!" Lucas sighed and looked at me.

"You may change your mind, Octavia. Pokémon are our partners. We live together peacefully and support each other. Whatever reason you have to be scared of them, you shouldn't compare to an innocent Pokémon who wasn't involved" that's a good point, but I won't get over my fear so easily. I felt better after he told me the point, so I'll at least see what this Pokémon is before declining again.

"I would like to see the Pokémon now" I told Rowan. He nodded and tossed the ball in the air, freaking me out and hid further behind Leslie. The sound effect of the Pokéball finished, letting me know that the Pokémon was out and waiting to be seen.

"We don't have all day here" Leslie said. I flinched and hurried to peak at the Pokémon on the floor and froze. A adorable Buneary was looking around before stopping to stare at me. I kneeled down to get a better look at it.

"It... It looks like a doll!" I gasped and poked its head, making it smile at me. My heart melted at how cute it was "I can't stand it! You're so cute!" I brought it into my arms "You're so soft!" It cried out happily.

"That's great, Octavia!" Lucas said.

"Apparently it's the cute Pokémon that look like dolls that are acceptable" Leslie sweatdropped and moved away. I giggled and snuggled with the Pokémon before standing up again to face Rowan.

"I'll accept it!" I giggled when it cuddled with my cheek.

"Looks like it's gotten a liking to you already. I'm glad" Rowan nodded. I showed off my Buneary to Lucas and Barry. Barry laughed and shook my shoulder to congratulate me. This ended up making my towel loose it's grip and fall in my face.

"Excuse me" I hurried to the bathroom to wrap a new scarf on my head and came out to see Buneary and Banette waiting for me by the door. My heart melted again and I picked both of them up to hug. I never imagined holding Pokémon like this, but I can't help how cute they are!

"So cute!" I shook them happily "This is an amazing gift, Professor! I'll take care of it!" I looked at Buneary "I'm still pretty scared of Pokémon, so the thought of holding two is still pretty scary" my Pokémon frowned at me "But you two are so cute, like dolls... I can handle if it's like that. Please bare with me... it'll only be until I get use to it. Then I'll be able to call you Pokémon. Will that be alright?" They nodded and smiled at me. I sighed in relief and walked over to where everyone was standing.

I ended up standing beside Leslie, who placed his hand on my scarf and messed it all up after I just fixed it "H-Hey!" I moved his hand away so I could fix it again. I heard a chuckle, but I'm not sure where it came from "I would like to thank you again for this gift, Professor" I said after finishing "My friend would be jealous" I chuckled "She talked about you all the time, but I didn't often paid attention. What is your obligation?" Everyone stared at me before turning to the Professor to properly introduce himself.

"Of course. You saved my important papers, I brought you to my lab, and given you a Pokémon without telling you the details. Very well. Let us start from the beginning" I nodded, appreciating it "My name is Rowan. However, everyone often just call me the Pokémon Professor"

"I've heard great things" I chuckled "Listening to my friend, I heard that you conduct research to learn more about Pokémon and research on why some Pokémon evolve and some don't" he nodded.

"You've read me like a book" I chuckled "Would you like to introduce yourself for everyone as well?" I looked at Leslie, Lucas, and Barry. These are friends of Platina, so it's only natural that I introduce myself formally, so I faced everyone.

"My name is Octavia. I lived in a mansion with rich parents who sought for perfection and creditability. My mother only had one dream for her children, and that was to make sure her reputation was perfect. Platina did not meet those expectations and we separated very young" I held my chest "I don't remember much, but the day my mother proposed me to get married, I made an outburst like I did earlier, but much worse" I looked away, not guilty about doing it "I was sent away and worked as a waitress for four years, without money or help. Luckily I had many friends who helped me get a job and give me a roof over my head. I became the person I am because of wonderful people like them. I wish for them to have successful careers and maybe get the chance to work under the Professor" I smiled at him "I don't have a goal myself, but with this new freedom..." I looked out the window "I would like to search for my sister"

"You don't have a chance" Leslie said blankly.

"But-!"

"You are terrified of Pokémon, as you displayed earlier today. It was a simple Starly you jumped away from. There's no way you can handle what type of Pokémon that's really out there" I gulped, knowing it'll be scary out there, but I can't just wait around for something to happen.

"Police are trying their best. Many people are on the case" Lucas said "After all, she's a pop idol. She has many influencers looking for her as well. You should enjoy your freedom" I looked down at my Pokémon frowning at how upset I was. Even if I'm scared... I can't stay still.

"Okay..." I ended up saying "I'll do that" I ignored Leslie staring at me while I looked at Barry lean on his arms behind his head.

"Well, I'm going to travel myself to become the best Pokémon trainer there is" he smirked "Maybe I'll end up finding Platina" he smiled at me "It was nice meeting you, Octavia" I nodded "Thanks for the refreshments, but I think it's time I better go!" He looked like he was ready to sprint away to the exit "Keep in touch!" He ran off, as expected.

"So he's going to travel?" I frowned. That must be nice... "Maybe I could as well- eh?" Leslie pushed my head down a bit "Ah! Hey!"

"It's too dangerous. I'll walk you home" I pouted and looked at Lucas watching him before turning to me.

"Thank you for the hot chocolate" I turned to Rowan "and thank you for everything else. I'll keep in touch. I will be going to Jubilife City to receive a package from my father. He was the one that helped me come all this way" Rowan nodded.

"I look forward to it" he went off to grab a piece of paper to write on before folding it up and hand it to me secretly, so what he wrote couldn't be seen "Take care of yourself and Buneary" I kept the note close and nodded before following Leslie out the door.