Racing out of the Contest Hall, I bounded down the stairs two at a time towards where Jake was waiting for me and Milly with my Pokémon. I hugged Gardenia happily as Miku and Champ caught us, followed by Milly. Miku clung to Samurai's leg, squealing happily.

"Too bad you two both lost." Jake said, pity clear in his tone as his sister made it too where we stood.

I shrugged, not really caring.

Milly shrugged also. "Can't win 'em all." She, I like me sounded disappointed. Milly had made it up too the Semifinals where I lost in the first of the battle rounds as Champ thought it would be a good idea to ignore me through the entire match. I'd panicked and ended with a staggering loss. Jessica had made it to the finals but also lost.

"How did your gym battle go?" Milly questioned as we headed back to the Pokémon Centre to collect our stuff before heading back on our journey.

Jake pulled his badge case out of his pocket, flipping it open without much effort. "It was easier then I'd thought it be. Not even close to being Reshiram worthy." He sighed as he showed off his sixth badge. "What have we decided in regards to Lilycove City?"

Turning away slightly on insinct, I huddled close to Samurai. We'd figured out that Team Aqua's base was beside Lilycove City, where I was taken for a brief period of time. Although there wasn't a gym in the city, the next contest was there and it would take us almost an extra month of traveling to go around. Jake and Milly both understood how uncomfortable I'd be going to close to the place but, we'd been close to Team Aqua a few times, each time leaving them alone and they let us be on our business - even if we'd witnessed some less then legal actions by them. So, I felt it would be okay to spend a few days in the city provided we didn't make a spectacle of ourselves. Besides, this time we wouldn't be on a boat being threatened to be thrown overboard.

~Paige has decided she's okay with going through Lilycove provided we spend as little time there as possible and make little show of ourselves there.~ Gardenia explained softly. ~She will stay mostly indoors during the duration of our stay.~

"That's reasonable." Jake nodded, gently patting my head. "And we'll stay close in a group the whole time. You'll be safe, promise."

I simply nodded, my usual goofy smile over my features as we entered the Pokémon Centre although I wrinkled my nose as I entered - seeing Laura and Harrison upon entrance. Thankfully the two simply returned a look of disgust before leaving for the cafe. Let's not go there for lunch.

"Paige!" Jessica's voice called as we make our way to the trainers quarters.

Spinning around, I found my friend running to catch up with us. "I wanted to give you something, for your help yesterday." She explained, holding out a small, flat item.

~You don't need to give us anything Jessica.~ Samurai said, reading my mind. ~It was the right thing to do to help you.~

"But no one has ever done something like that for me before." Jessica exclaimed.

~You're sister volunteered to battle with you.~ Gardenia pointed out.

"But she wouldn't have thought better of me for it! Nichole was genuinely impressed we could take down that Metagross. If she battled with me she wouldn't be because she's so much stronger then any trainer I know but now she's seen the real power of my Pokémon. That's why I wanted you to battle with me, not her." Jessica explained, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. "I haven't had a friend in a really long time Paige, before you guys, I was bullied for ages and Nichole never even bothered to send me a letter. Please, just take it. It'll help you out a lot, your Pokémon too." She again help up the item.

I carefully took it, examining the disc. How is a movie meant to help?

"It is the TM for Blizzard. I was thinking you could teach it to Miku so she has a stronger offensive move. I don't own too many Water TM's but this one could help you out." Jessica explained. "You can use the computers in the lounge area to use it."

:What's a TM Samurai?: I inquired, staring at the disc in confusion.

Samurai remained quiet, listening to Jessica's explication. ~I believe you can use that device to teach Pokémon the move assigned to it, in this case Blizzard which Jessica assumes Miku can learn.~

"I hope it comes in handy." Jessica smiled before glancing at the door. "Anyway, I need to go, I told Nicky I was just going to use the toilet and it won't be long until she comes looking for me. She wants to get to Mavile City quickly. I'll see you guys soon, kay?"

I nodded determinedly while the others agreed. Jessica waved goodbye as she spun around and dashed out of the Centre, leaving me staring absently at the TM in my hand. :Can we try it out before we leave?:

~I don't see what not.~ Gardenia smiled, patting my head before looking over at Jake and Milly. ~Paige would like to try the TM on Miku before we leave. Is that alright?~

Jake nodded his head. "Of course. Maybe we could have a test battle with Miku when we stop for the night. She'll gain experience much faster with an offence move to use to battle."

"Yeah, you could battle against Pie or Scout... Maybe even Mystique." Milly pipped. She and Riley had traded Pokémon officially yesterday evening, both Pokémon had evolved after the trade - having each met the requirements of their special evolution. I still didn't know too much about it but apparently when certain Pokémon hold certain items they will evolve upon being traded with another trainer. Whirlpool holding the Kings Rock had evolved him into a Politoad and Mystique holding the Dragons Scale meant she evolved into a Kingdra. I found it pretty cool since previously I'd only known about evolution though specific stones - like Samurai did to become a Gallade rather then a Gardevoir or through experience like most do. Jake had also explained that some Pokémon evolve through have an extraordinarily strong bond with their trainers or other Pokémon which is how I got my Sylveon.

Jake gently pat my hair. "Why don't you go try it out Paige? We'll get your stuff from the room." He offered, prompting me towards the lobby. "I'm sure Nurse Joy can help you use the machine if you need to."

:Yeah!: I cheered, pulling Samurai towards the lobby computers. :Let's do it now now now!:

Miku pounced on me, clinging to my leg eagerly. ~Miku want to learn new move! Miku protect Mama wif Bwizzard, I kwill all der baddies.~ Gummie hovered above my head, Angel as usual was perched on her head, giggling at Miku's eager behaviour. ~Let's go go go!~

~Miku, no killing people. Not even baddies.~ Gardenia scolded. ~You are better then that.~

~If they hurt Mama can Miku hurt dem?~ Miku cocked her head to the side. ~Then send dem to der jail.~

~That's acceptable.~ Samurai shrugged as I sat before one of the lobby computers.

Gardenia wacked Samurai's arm with a huff. ~Samurai, you should not be promoting a baby for violence.~

~I'd do it.~ Samurai shrugged. ~Miku's a big girl now.~

~She's not even 1!~ Gardenia exclaimed.

Samurai shrugged haphazardly. ~Age is a number, especially to a Mythical Pokémon like Miku.~

:Little help here guys. I've literally never used a computer before.: I huffed, kicking my legs out dramatically.

Samurai looked at the screen, pointing to a small icon. ~Teaching HM's or TM's, hit that one.~

I poked the screen and nothing happens. Hmm, funny, normally I get some sort of reaction from that.

~Maybe use that thing?~ Champ suggested pointing to a small round device on the desk. He nudged it with his foot and a small arrow moved across the screen.

:Ahha!: I announced, taking the device and dragging it across the screen and hovering it over the icon. Nothing happened again. :Hmm..: I hmmed to myself, looking at the device in my hand, noting two buttons under my pointer and middle finger. :Maybe if I?: I clicked the button under my pointer finger. When nothing happened, I tried clicking it twice and the screen changed. My Pokémon cheered in victory before returning to hovering over my shoulder, Miku climbing eagerly onto my lap.

Please insert Hidden Machine/Technical Machine into disc drive

Again, I hmmmed to myself, taking the disc out of its case and looked for somewhere the disc would fit. I couldn't find a slot or eject button anywhere on the screen so I started looking for something that resembled Jake's Blu-ray Player (#Notsponcered).

Samurai pointed to a large box behind the screen. ~Try that Paige.~ He stated, pressing a button that allowed a disc tray to spit out.

:Yeah!: I cheered again, slipping the disc into the tray. Watching as the box ate it as the tray slipped back with my disc.

TM Blizzard inserted-
Would you like a tutorial?
Yes/No

Appeared next. I clicked yes. The next few steps were pretty simple - asking simple questions about my Pokémon before telling me to place eligible Pokémon on a small platform at the end of the row of desks. I handed Miku to Samurai who plonked her down on the pad, prompting her to remain still as my Pokémon and I figured out the rest of the instructions.

Please select a move to be forgotten
Super Sonic
Bubble
Tail Glow
Charm

After umming and ahhing for a bit I selected Tail Glow and the final confirmation came up, asking if I was sure I wanted to replace the move with Blizzard. I looked over to Miku. :You sure you want to learn Blizzard Miku?:

~Miku gonna freeze the baddies butts off!~

:I'll take that as a yes...: I smiled, clicking away at my confirmation. Watching as the pad Miku stood upon glowed momentarily before a message flashed across the screen.

Congratulations, the process was successful,
please do not forget your HM/TM. Have a nice day!

I ejected my disk, popping it back in it's case before turning to Miku. :Okie dokie, let's go outside and test it!: I beamed, Samurai grabbed the collar of my shirt, stopping me in a huff. :Whaaat?:

~We will wait for Jake and Milly.~ He stated. ~You can have a battle when we stop for the night.~

:No fair!: I pouted but waited patiently as Jake and Milly entered the lobby. Milly was carrying my backpack for me, handing it over so I could put my TM inside.

As we exited the Centre, Miku chased ahead, blowing out soft flurry's of ice. Not full on Blizzards but clearly using the abilities she'd gotten from it. "I'm guessing it went well?" Jake chuckled.

~It took us a moment to figure out how to use the computer but we managed.~ Samurai explained.

Milly nodded, giggling to herself. "I'd forgotten you would have never used a computer before. I would have stayed to help."

~We figured it out.~ Gardenia smiled back as we headed out of Fortree City.

I raced forward excitedly, spinning around in wide circles as we made our way down the route. We wouldn't get very far before dark but the next few days were supposed to be perfect for traveling so we were making the most of the good weather while it lasted. Skipping merrily down the path, I turned back now and again to make sure I wasn't too far away

Walking until sunset allowed us to watch the sky slowly paint itself with bright arrays of oranges, yellows, pinks and purples. Like watercolour art. I couldn't help but smile at it as we decided to set up camp a little ways off from the main path of the route. We set up in our usual routine - Pokémon off collecting firewood, Milly cooking dinner, Jake setting up the tent and I set up the sleeping bags along with the rest of our stuff before helping with the prep work on dinner.

"Why don't you take a crack at cooking dinner Paige?" Milly inquired, offering me the spoon as I chopped up potatoes.

I shook my head, turning to Samurai then Gardenia when I saw him busy sparring with Torch. My shiny Gardevoir smiled as she turned to Milly. :Paige is able to cook quite well Milly, she just doesn't like to as a result from years of... extremely harsh criticism. She simply prefers to help.:

"Oh... I'm sorry, I didn't even think about that..." Milly frowned, turning back to the pot. "It's fine we can we can do things as normal."

Nodding my head, I turned back to the potatoes, sliding them off the chopping board and into the pot. Milly did the same with the dried meat before setting the lip stop the pot so the meat would rehydrate and get soft while the vegetables cooked. Afterwards, I laid down on the grass, staring up at the wish washed painted sky. The stunning display of colours would never ever cease to amaze me. Never ever...

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 2250

I'm not gonna lie... Paige's first encounter with a computer is something I've wanted to do since the first book.... there's just never been a fitting time.... until now. Anyway, g'night!