"Tell me, what makes you different from the Team Plasma back there?!" Hugh asked Rood as we sat down for a cup of coffee. I'm not allowed to have coffee, but I was given some tea to help with my sickness while I was tightening the scarf around my head that Litwick got for me.

"More accurately, we're former members of Team Plasma" Rood spoke "Because of the incident two years ago, we started taking care of the Pokémon that were separated from their trainers as a way to atone for our misdeeds" Hugh looked down at his lap.

"I'm Hugh. From Aspertia City... years ago, Team Plasma- I mean you- stole my little sisters Pokémon. I'm the pathetic trainer who wasn't able to stop you. Separated? What a joke! YOU were the thieves who STOLE them!" Rood looked surprised.

"Yelling at them won't fix the problem, Hugh" I chuckled.

"Shut up!" I stuck my tongue out as Rood apologized. Hugh got upset at the simple apology and demanded the Pokémon back, as the one he spoke of isn't in the building, but perhaps still with Team Plasma. Anything Rood said wasn't going through Hugh, as he was still upset.

"You should resolve this differently, Hugh" Nate said "some criminals just want to be honest after what they did. They know they were wrong, but they can't help" I studied what he meant. I can't make assumptions, but that may be a clue on what he did in the past.

"Whatever! I'm leaving! Say, are you battling gyms?" Hugh asked.

"I don't have the need to do that, nor am I allowed to" he's not allowed to battle gym leaders?

"You're not? Well, you're pretty much a cop, so I guess so. Later" Hugh left without another word. I sipped my tea and looked inside the cup at the leafs left behind, ignoring a growling by my feet. It was the Zorua that's been glaring at me since I got here. I chose to ignore it, since I knew it was just like all the other Pokémon that don't like me.

"Zorua! I'm so sorry" Rood told me "I don't know what's gotten into him!" One of the girls that look like a goddess picked Zorua up and moved it away from me.

"This use to be Lord N's Pokémon. It doesn't like conflict. Perhaps it senses an aura that doesn't belong" the blonde girl said.

"You should probably leave now. You've been here long enough" the pink haired girl said. I smiled, not offended at all and stood up after feeling unwelcome.

"Thank you for the tea and all. We should get going" Nate stood after me.

"I'm sorry you've been treated like this... Girls, must you be so rude? This isn't like you two" Rood said. I glanced at the two Pokémon behind the girls glaring at me. I smiled and walked out the shelter without caring about how I was looked at. If I don't belong in a certain place, I can just leave. It's as simple as that.

"What's their problem?" Nate asked after we exit the building. I chuckled and waved my hand.

"There are certain people out there who will just hate on me for no reason, but they may have their reasons. No point in making them feel wrong. I know exactly why they look at me like that" they sensed the darkness in my heart "and I'm not bothered"

"Nate, over here" Hugh waved beside a stranger in a cow boy outfit "I was just talking to Clay here about something important. This is the gym leader" we walked up to them to greet properly.

"Hello, you two" the guy looked at my face carefully "Yer awfully pale there, kid. Yer alright? It's cold out" Nate pulled me to him and got me to put on his jacket correctly before zipping it up. I pouted and looked at how it made me look like I was wearing a dress.

"It's fine. She's stubborn" He explained. I smiled proudly. Hugh rolled his eyes and turned back to Clay.

"So anyway, why? What's the reason? Why have you forgiven Team Plasma?"

"There's always room for folks to grow and change, ain't there? And if ya only go after what ya think is right, ya might end up rejectin' all thoughts and opinions other than yer own. That's mighty dangerous" I smiled a little, understanding enough, but it's not that simple to just say.

"Is that one of those compromises adults are suppose to make?" Hugh snorted. I laughed at him, making him angry.

"You're so childish, Hugh! How about you use your head for once and understand where people are coming from! If I thought I could find a place that just wanted to protect Pokémon and take them away from bad people, I would had been a member myself" Hugh looked like he was about to snap "There were good intentions, just at the wrong place. I don't expect you to understand people when you just care about your own opinions"

"How about you shut up for once! You impersonator!" Impersonator?

He was about to pounce at me before Nate pushed him away "What's your deal? I'm just trying to tell her what's up! I'm not going to hit her or anything"

"Don't care. You're not going to talk to her like you know everything. She's just explaining what's true. There's no reason to let out your aggression where it's not meant to be let out. If you want to let it out, why don't the two of us battle?" Hugh's eyes sparkled a bit, mainly looking surprised.

"You mean it? I get to finally battle against my childhood pal?" Hugh smirked "Well, what took yah so long? I only asked you like a million times" Clay laughed loudly at the both of them, patting their shoulders.

"Well you two, why don't I make yer battle more interestin? You two should battle in the world tournaments!"

"World tournaments?" Nate questioned.

"eight trainers will be participatin, and if ya win three times, yer the champion!"

"No way!" Hugh said "I'm not going to lose to anyone! Not even you, Nate!" Nate held his chin.

"If I can't battle against gym leaders, why would battling in a world tournament be any better? I'm... not allowed" Hugh groaned and threw a fit on his own while I tapped on Nate's shoulder "hm?" He looked at me.

"Nobody has to know. Here" I removed my scarf "You can disguise yourself for the time being. Become a different person. You should have fun" I smiled "You may be a cop or whatever, but you shouldn't back down on something as cool as participating in a world tournament! Battle in my place, since I can't do it myself" he looked at the scarf in my hands before taking it and put it back on my head.

"It's okay, But you're right. I guess I can put on a disguise" he smiled, petting my head "As long as you promise to be good" I smiled brightly and nodded quickly. He smiled back and we just kept our eyes locked onto each other, having a moment, before someone cleared his throat. I flinched and turned away. That wasn't supposed to happen! He's looking at me like I'm Rosa again!

"Dude, I thought you liked Rosa, not the clone" Hugh said. I pouted at the stupid claim.

"Who asked you anyway?" Nate snorted and walked away. I quickly followed and reached out to hold his sleeve "I like Rosa, but it doesn't mean I can't respect Camilla" my eyes widened "Let's just get to this tournament" I frowned and looked down, holding my bad arm to my torso.

Did he just say he respects me..? No, that's stupid. If he just looked pass what he already knows, he will never accept me. The more we travel together, the more I feel like being with him is a bad idea. My heart won't stop jumping when he's close to me or does little things for me. He treats me nice out of pity, and that's all there is to it. He may say he doesn't see Rosa in me, but the way he looks at me... I feel like I beg to differ.

We traveled to the south part of Driftveil city, where there were a bunch of stands of all kinds selling unique items and merchandise. I had almost forgotten I wasn't suppose to be outside, since I ran out barefoot earlier while I was sick. I lost my balance for a moment before quickly pretending nothing happened.

"Hm?" Nate looked back at me "What was that?" I waved my hand, assuring I was fine. I nervously laughed, not wanting to take the fun out of everything, and looked around, noticing that Hugh noticed I had a moment.

"Here we are!" Clay told us, showing us a huge building with lots of people going inside. I flinched and looked around, feeling that familiar aura again. Rosa? Is she here? There's no way of telling... There's too many people! "Whaddya think? Great buildin' huh? Here's where the Pokémon world tournament takes place! Ain't she pretty? The tournament doesn't start for another two hours, which leaves yah plenty of time to look for a disguise. I'll register you two! I'll be waiting" Clay finished and walked into the building.

"I think battling here is a bit unnecessary" Nate comment, looking up at the building "but it sounds fun" he smiled at Hugh "We better find a good disguise if I don't want to get in trouble" he turned to me looking around "What are you looking for?"

"Um..." I frowned, seeing if I can find this aura, but it was difficult to know where exactly it was. I've been separated from my sister for at least five years and I question if I'm actually feeling her right now "nothing..." I sighed and softly squeezed my bad hand.

"Do you want to get that checked out?" Nate softly held my arm "It could be broken" I softly moved it, though it hurt.

"It's not. I'll be fine" I smiled and pointed at the stands nearby "There are a ton of places we can find a disguise! Let me work my magic!" Nate frowned.

"You're still sick, Cam" he reached to hold my head. I moved away so he wouldn't worry.

"I said I'm fine!" I pouted "Don't let me ruin a chance to participate in an amazing opportunity like this!" I pulled his hand "Come on! I'm going to give you the best disguise!" We went to a clothes shop and Nate ended up wearing a ninja costume, which looked so hot!

He looked highly uncomfortable and muttered under his breath "This doesn't help at all..." he didn't think I could hear him "It reminds me too much of-" he notice me listening to him and quickly shut his mouth "I think this will work" I tilted my head confused.

"You sure?" I licked my lips "I don't know. I may be unable to handle myself" he flinched as I came up to him "you look good enough to eat" his face went completely red.

"C-Cam!" I laughed at his reaction, which made him angry and lower his headgear "Let's just go already!" Hugh chuckled "What's so funny?!"

"Nothing man, you just look like a natural" Nate groaned and ran into the tournament building. I questioned why he left me by myself, and noticed I was next to Hugh. He noticed me and snorted, walking in without me. I frowned and looked around, still feeling her aura.

"Rosa... Where are you?" Not wanting to get in trouble, I hurried back to the building and quickly hid behind Nate before he noticed I wasn't behind him. He noticed me behind him and sighed. That's so unlike him to just leave me like that. What's going on in his mind?

I held my head, feeling dizzy, and looked over Nate's shoulder to see Cheren and Clay talking to Nate, laughing at his disguise.

"It actually fits you nicely!" Cheren laughed, which made Nate upset. I frowned, not understanding what was wrong. If he didn't like the disguise, why didn't he say anything?

"Can we just do this already?" Nate groaned, tired of everyone laughing at him. I lightened the mood and approached Cheren.

"Camilla, it's nice to see you again! How's the Pokédex?"

"It's doing great! I'm having a lot of fun filling it up, but what are you doing all the way here?" I asked. He looked at Clay.

"Clay here asked me to come and participate. I'm not really sure why he called me to come all the way here, but it sounds like fun" he shrugged "he never changes, but I'm sure he only called me because Hilda isn't here" he smiled at me and pet my head before looking surprised, then touched my forehead "Why are you so warm?" I waved his hand away and moved behind Clay.

Nate looked worried about my complexion, but I already convinced him to do this. I want to see him have fun for once, since all he's done is be stressed about looking for Rosa and handling me.

"The tournament should be starting soon" Clay said. As soon as he said that, someone on the intercom spoke to get everyone ready and meet up in a specific place "right on time"

"Awe yeah!" Roxie's voice came over to us. She walked over with her guitar behind her as before, like it was her baby, and waved at us "coincidence to see yah here!" I stayed behind Clay, not wanting to be noticed, not wanting to know if Nate has been talking to her on the down low.

"Hey Roxie, you'll be participating?" Nate smiled. I bit my lips, trying to control my anger "I'm not really aiming to be champion or whatever, but it'll be fun" Roxie smirked.

"What's with the costume?" She laughed. Nate groaned and looked at how uncomfortable I looked. I pretended I wasn't bothered before he came up to me.

"Promise me you won't cause trouble?" I put on a smile and nodded.

"I promise, and I never break my promises. It's not like I'm really able to anyway" he nodded.

"We'll go straight back to the hotel after this so you can rest" he pet my head, making me frown at how gentle he was being "Clay, could you take care of Camilla for me?"

"Hm?" He looked at me looking down and feeling uncomfortable about being sick and knowing he may be left alone with another girl "Sure thing! We can go get popcorn too!" I looked up at him and giggled.

"Extra butter?" He laughed at my suggestion. By that time, the trainers left to start the tournament while Clay and I took our seats in the very front, since he got special privileges to sit wherever he wants. This tournament wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him mining emeralds that made this city rich in the first place, from what he told me.

I seem to hardly been able to pay attention to any of the battles. By the time I looked back up from my popcorn, round one was already over. I frowned that I noticed too late and sighed, feeling my dizzy head.

"You alright there lad?" Clay asked.

"Clay... Has my cousin ever had guy problems?" I played with my hair "Hilda, I mean"

"Oh! So you're related to the young hero!" I looked down, kinda embarrassed "Well, I can tell you one thing, it was pretty obvious that Cheren liked her" I looked at him surprised "but she was startin to get to know the king. I don't really know the details. Why do yah ask?" I played with my fingers, nervously.

"Nate likes Rosa, my sister, and I can understand why. She's great and deserves every bit of happiness. Nate is a great guy, so I think they'll be great together" I looked away "but... I feel wrong for finding myself attracted to him. I get upset when he talks to other girls"

"You're jealous" I didn't want to admit that "Even if you support him being with your sister, yer own feelings are conflicted. It's only natural to like someone"

"But I shouldn't... That's the problem. He likes Rosa! I can't get in the way of that" He patted my shoulder.

"Use this time you two have together to discover how you really feel. If yah believe he will be happy with Rosa, that's one thing, but it doesn't mean you can't be happy on your own. There are many boys out there. And who knows, maybe he'll start liking you instead" I gave a weak smile and nodded, knowing that would be impossible.

What am I even thinking? Even if I'm attracted to Nate, it's not meant to be. I won't be staying on this earth for long, so why hang onto something that won't even be mine? I can't bare to have another reason to live... It's too much.

"Thank you" I smiled at Clay and put my attention back on the tournament, seeing on the screen that Nate defeated Roxie, Hugh and Cheren defeated a random person, and Colress?

"That guy is weird for showing up where we end up" I said to myself. In the next round, Nate and Hugh were going to battle against each other and Cheren is going to battle Colress. What an interesting turn of events... Hopefully I don't fall asleep in the middle of it.