"Why do you think she's here?" Jake asked, pacing through the room. He ran his finger though his messy brown hair. I knew he was referring to Nichole after we'd told him about our encounter with the former Team Plasma Agent.

~Looking after her little sister by the looks of it.~ Gardenia sighed, looking down at me with a worried gaze that I pretended not to notice. ~She doesn't seem to care much about Paige anymore, she just seems to want her to stay out of her way.~

"And you agreed?" Jake frowned, also looking at me as I cuddled Miku close. The little Manaphy playfully batted at my pink locks as I hung my head to avoid looking at anyone.

~Yes.~ Samurai replied simply. ~As we've already told you Jake, we do not want trouble that can be avoided. Conflict with Nichole can be avoided so, we will not provoke her to bother us.~

"But you're stronger then her Pokémon." Jake argued.

~That may be, but Paige doesn't want the trouble and by the sounds of it, neither does Nichole.~ My Gallade replied. ~If she is willing to let Bagon's be Bagon's and drop whatever issue she had with Paige in Unova, why would we change anything to put Paige in danger? We want a nice, calm journey, without the issues we had in Unova, that's why we came to Hoenn in the first place. To get away from all that.~

Jake sighed deeply but nodded. "Okay, we won't confront Nichole unless she posses some sort of threat to us or Paige."

Samurai nodded in agreement, looking down at me with a loving smile, gently rubbing my head. ~Yes, we want a peaceful journey this time. Right Paige?~

I nodded surely, not meeting Jake's eyes as I sniffled slightly.

"I understand." Jake replied, holding a guilty look in his eyes as he no doubt remembered the events of Unova and how much pain I'd been through by the older trainer alone. "Now, since you girls got your contest battle, I'm going to the gym. Anyone coming?" He changed the subject swiftly yet effectively.

"Nah, I'm pooped." Milly replied from her bed, yawning slightly. "But enjoy yourself, I heard Norman is quite a strong leader."

"Torch can handle it, are you coming Paige?" Jake looked down at me with a new, excited expression.

:What do you guys think?: I questioned my Pokémon, looking around at my team.

~I think it will be good a experience.~ Samurai answered. ~From what I heard, most of Norman's team uses Physical attacks so watching the battle is something I could benefit from.~

~I'm not to fussed.~ Gardenia followed, standing aside her brother. :I will come if that's what the rest of the team wants:

"Miku kawaii." Miku raised her hand.

Gummie looked at Angel and the two nodded. ~We both would like to go.~ The Multiplying Pokémon answered, twirling through the air with eased grace.

~Whatever.~ Champ snorted. ~I'll come.~

:Tell Jake we'll come: I told Samurai with a smile.

Samurai nodded, relaying my message to Jake who was clipping his team to his belt. It could get annoying sometimes, having to get things I wanted to say translated, especially when Samurai simplified all the fun out of my words but I made the best of it cause what else was their to do? After saying goodbye to Milly, we left the Pokémon Centre.

Jake conversed with Samurai about the up coming battle during the small walk to the gym while I started planning for my next contest, though I didn't know where it would be. Gummie and Angel were my chosen two since Miku was still quite young and I was still struggling to get Champ to obey my instructions in battle. We working on it but he was to stubborn to do as I asked so, maybe next time.

To say we were surprised when we got to the gym would be an understatement. My previous contest opponent, Jessica, was facing the gym leader with her Maganium in battle. The Grass type holding a slight edge over what looked like a big clawed, white monkey. I thought she was a coordinator, why is she battling a gym leader?

After seeing Jessica I quickly scanned the gym for Nichole but thankfully, she was no where to be seen. Since we'd have to wait our turn to battle to Leader, Jake and I took our seats in the stands, watching the rest of the battle as Jessica finished of the white monkey with a well timed Solar Beam.

"Smart." Jake commented. "She's using Sunny Day to instantly charge up Solar Beam."

I nodded, noting how Jessica had used the same strategy during our Contest Battle. Sunny Day usually takes two turns before it can be used in battle but when used while the move Sunny Day is in play, it charges much quicker. I was still confused on why she was doing both contests and gym battles though.

Norman, the Gym Leader, smiled knowingly as he returned his monkey. "Return Vigoroth. You are a strong trainer Jessica but you'll need to step up your game to defeat my Slaking."

The ravenette smirked as she returned Megora to her Pokéball, throwing the next into the air. "Gabby, steal the show." She cheered throwing a pudgy grey Pokémon from her Pokèball.

~Gibble.~ The little grey Pokémon chirped, swinging its head from side to side, a pointy little dorsal fin seemed to gleam with sharpness  as indigo eyes surveyed the surrounding area. ~Ble?~

It scratched its red belly boredly before her eyes landed on Jessica, giving an enthusiastic, ~Gibble.~ before charging towards the ravenette with a hungered expression.

Rolling her eyes, she stepped to the side as Gabby left off its stubby legs, diving head first against a rock. "Not the time Gabby." Jessica huffed, glaring playfully at the smaller Pokémon. "Now please, take your position." She said sternly as the little Pokémon waddled to her place.

Norman seemed amused but Jessica blushed. "Gabby's still young and quite... Playful. She's still in training."

The Gym Leader smiled. "You have no need to explain yourself. Now, let us continue, Slaking, go!"

The big Pokémon that emerged from Norman's Pokèball easily dwarfed the smaller Gabby. The tree trunk like arms of the Slaking were easier bigger then all of me as it's disheveled brown fur gave it an even more intimidating appearance. Slaking let out a gruff snort, not paying any attention to Gabby as it fell backwards to take a nap.

"Slaking are lazy Pokémon but quite strong if you know how to train them." Jake commented, looking over to me as he pulled out his Pokédex. "But I have no idea what Pokémon the other girl is using... Her name is Jessica right? The one who beat you in the contest."

I replied with a brief nod as the Pokédex identified the Pokémon in battle.

Gible the Land Shark Pokémon.

Gible is a Dragon and Ground type Pokémon who build nests out of horizontal holes, warmed by geothermal heat. Foes who get to close can expect to be pounced on and bitten with its strong jaws.

Jake looked impressed by the information given on the small Pokémon. "They come from Sinnoh according to this, I wonder how Jessica got one."

From there I blanked him out, focusing on my own thoughts. I was trying to figure out my next contest performance as I was determined to get my first ribbon soon. Though Jessica would make a formidable opponent with her Sandile, Gible and Meganium, I was sure I could still defeat her.

Before I knew it, the battle had drawn to an end, with Jessica being the victor. After collecting her badge and thanking Norman for the battle, she made her way over to the stands where Jake and I sat with my Pokémon.

"Enjoy the show?" She smiled in a friendly manner.

"You're really strong." Jake complemented, nodding his head to the blue eyed trainers question. "Your Gible is really fast."

"Thanks." Jessica smiled. "My sister trained me, back before she turned into a stick in the mud, she went on a solo journey in Unova a few years ago and hasn't been the same since she came back. I'm still trying to figure out what happened but she's a pain about it."

:I'll say: I huffed slightly, hiding it by looking at the floor.

Jake gently pat my head, reassuring me with a smile before turning back to Jessica. "Good luck figuring it out."

A small sigh passed my lips, relieved that Jake had kept to his agreement with Samurai.

"Don't you do contests though, why are you participating in a Gym Battle?"

"Oh, I do both." Jessica answered with a shrug. "Nicholette wants me to be a strong trainer so she forcing me to battle the gyms, in return, I get to do contests."

"Why don't you travel without her then?"

"Well... My mum's kind of protective of me since I'm the youngest and I'm not allowed to travel without Nicky with me. She was meant to take me when I was ten but she went to Unova a few years before that and only came back a few months ago and refuses to talk about about why she spent six whole years in Unova without so much as a phone call." Jessica frowned. "We used to be close but now I just seem to be a bother to her... She says I need to be a strong trainer because strength is all that matters in a trainer but I don't believe that."

~You shouldn't.~ Samurai nodded. ~The true measure of a trainer is the bond between one and their Pokémon. I should know.~ He smiled down at me as he ruffled my hair. I playfully batted him away as I smoothed out the pink locks.

"That is true." Norman answered, walking up to our little group. "Sorry for eavesdropping but I'm ready for my next challenger. Which one of you will be my next opponent?"

I pointed at Jake who started an eager conversation with the gym leader, leaving me with Jessica. The ravenette cocked her head to the side. "So what do you believe Paige?" She inquired curiously.

:Well, I don't battle much honestly: Gardenia translated for me. :But I'm still a trainer. I may not be strong or necessary good but I love my Pokémon and so, I battle for them, so we both get to do what we want:

"You know, my sister could learn a thing or two from you." Jessica smiled, for a moment I wished I could of told her otherwise but I really didn't want to have to face Nichole's Bisharp again. Not after what happened what happened the last time I was without my Pokémon with him.

~You're sister sounds to stubborn for that.~ Samurai jumped in, turning to where Jake was getting ready for battle ~Anyway, come on Paige, Jake's battle is about to begin. Will you be joining us Jessica?~ He questioned politely.

The blue eyed trainer checked the watch on her wrist. "Well I guess I have time, Nicky's probably getting a pedicure anyways. She won't be missing me for hours, if at all. Older siblings am I right?"

I shook my head, receiving a curious look from Jessica.

~Paige is an only child.~ Gardenia explained softly. ~But in a way, Samurai and I are kind of like her brother and sister because we were raised in that sense.~

"Oh... What about Jake?" Jessica asked as we took our seats on the stands. Angel jumped upon my lap, purring as she rubbed up against my chest, her sky like eyes filled with a calming aura as she curled up to watch Jake's battle. Miku was playing with Gummie and Champ was no where to be found, something that was becoming less unusual for the grouchy Meditite but if he didn't turn up soon I'd have to go find him.

~He's the oldest, we're traveling with him and his younger sister Milly.~ Gardenia answered, watching as I gently pat my Sylveon a top her head.

Jessica was quiet for a moment, trying to think of something to say before she continued. "So... Where do you live Paige, here in Hoenn?" She asked the innocent question that stung me deeply.

I hung my head shamefully, very much aware of the fact that I didn't actually live anywhere. Jake's mother let me stay there temporary but it wasn't my home, I didn't have one. I've went from orphanage to orphanage for seven years before I was kidnapped by Team Plasma and I'd never considered the castle a home, just a prison.

~Paige comes from Unova.~ Samurai saved, feeling the unease I felt for the question asked. ~She's traveling with Jake and Milly while here in Hoenn.~

"Really? Did you happen to meet my sister at all while there?"

~We met a lot of people while we traveled. It might be possible.~ Samurai explained, pretending to be thinking. Well he wasn't lying, just not giving the correct answer. ~We were traveling for a few months and I don't remember everyone we met.~

"Oh... Well, it was worth a try." Jessica smiled, watching as Jake battled the Normal type leader. "What city did you live in?"

~Nimbasa City was her last home.~ Gardenia answered hesitantly, looking down at me as I pretended to focus on the battle. ~But she prefers not to talk about it.~

"Why not?"

~It's personal and, no offence intended but we just met you.~ Gardenia smiled apologetically. ~Only close friends really know.~

"It's all good, I guess I am being a bit nosey." Jessica replied Mareepishly, twirling strands of her beetle black hair in her fingers. "Sorry."

~It's perfectly fine.~ Gardenia smiled assuringly, turning her attention to the battle to put an end to the harder conversation. ~Are you okay Paige?~ She asked me privately, cutting off Jessica from hearing.

:Yeah... It just... I'm fine: I answered, not daring to look at her. :I just... Kinda wished I had a place that I could call home. I've never had that before:

~There's a place for you somewhere short-stuff.~ Samurai smiled, stroking my hair softly. ~We'll find it, I promise.~

Leaning against my brother of a Pokemon, I smiled. :What would I do without you guys?:

~Probably find someone else to bother.~ He smiled regardless, cuddling me back as he planted a light kiss a top my head as I ran my fingers through Angel's short, fluffy fur.

:Nah, I keep that special for you Samurai:

My Gallade chuckled but didn't reply as he watched the battle with curious, observant eyes as Torch battle against Norman's white monkey, or Vigoroth as he called it. The two were locked in fist to claw combat, throwing blows and slashes at each other with equal power and force.

Jessica remained silent for the first round of the battle, looking over at me and my Pokémon every now and then with mixed emotions I wasn't able to read before she caught me watching her and she looked back to the battle without a word. I ignored this and focused on the battle, occasionally glancing at my Pokémon to make sure they were all close, especially little Miku who had a tendency to wander when she was bored but Gummie was keeping her well entertained. Champ had returned and was sitting on his own towards the back of the gym, looking away whenever I looked at him but regardless of his grumpy persona, I couldn't miss the protective look in his eyes whenever he looked at me.

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 2599

Hey people, finally got an update out. For a while I was thinking of making it Nichole who did gym battles while Jessica did contests but I decided against it in the end as I couldn't really make it fit with the plot of the over all story.

Anyway schools back so updates won't be as common and I'm running out of time to finish editing 'Star struck' so I'm going to make that my main focus since I want to have it ready for the Watty awards since it's the only book I really have eligible right now.

Welp, please remember to vote, comment and keep on reading on all my lovely buttercups.