I still remember it like it was yesterday...

The song of Pidoves echoed through the trees of Aspertia City on a hot spring day. My sister and her Purrloin were out in the yard playing hide and seek as usual. I was hiding with Purrloin since she had asked me to play as well.

"Twenty-one, twenty-two, uh...twenty...three!" She counted, working her way up to thirty as it was the usual number to count to when we played.

I ran around the other side of the house and scurried up the tree that led straight up to my room, and concealed myself on the side facing away from the house. Purrloin clawed her way up after me and hid on a higher branch, snickering all the while.

"Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty! Ready or not, here I come!" She called out in an excited voice, prompting Purrloin and I to be quiet.

"Shhh..." I told Purrloin in hushed tone. "She won't find us up here. And if we're quiet enough, we can sneak around and get to base before she spots us," I said, getting a nod from Purrloin who remained silent.

"Oh big brother, where are you!? Come out, come out, wherever you are!" She coaxed, trying to lure us out from our hiding spot. "where could they be?" She wondered aloud, placing her hands on her hips as she looked around for us.

Purrloin and I remained still as statues as she came around to the tree we were hiding in. Sweat trickled down my face as she began searching around tree.

"Found you!" She exclaimed, looking around behind the tree, only to frown as there was nothing there.

"Hmmm...not there," she muttered, walking away from the tree towards one of the bushes opposite the tree. I watched as she crept towards it as if she were approaching a dangerous animal that was asleep.

"I-gotcha!" She shouted, pushing apart the leaves of the bush to reveal...nothing. "Drat!" She pouted, crossing her arms in frustration.

"Big brother is good at hiding," she said as she scratched her head, shrugging before wandering off to look for her brother and friend elsewhere.

I looked over at Purrloin and nodded, getting a nod in return before we both slowly climbed down from the tree. We snuck around to the other side of the house from where she'd gone and made a break for base.

"Safety!" I cried out as Purrloin and I both tagged the tree we designated as base.

"Aww man!" Came Serenity's voice as she came out from behind the house. "Where were you guys?" She groaned.

"Not telling," I laughed.

"No fair Hugh!" She pouted, puffing her cheeks out in an aggravated manner.

We were both so happy back then...

"Hugh! Serenity! Lunch is ready!" Mother called. Serenity and I both exchanged glances.

"Last one there's a rotten Exeggcute!" Serenity called, dashing off ahead of me.

"Hey, come back here!" I shouted, running to catch up to her, Purrloin darting ahead of us both.

The two of us burst into the house and went into a fit of laughter.

"I guess we're both rotten Exeggcutes. Purrloin beat us here," Serenity laughed.

The two of us darted into the kitchen, following the scent of our favorite grilled cheese sandwiches. It was always a treat whenever mom made it. We could never seem to get enough of the stuff. We sat there and ate our sandwiches which we dipped in tamato berry soup. It was the best combination of food ever invented in our opinion.

"You're the best mom!" We exclaimed as we devoured the glorious spread before us.

"Slow down you two, you're going to end up with a tummy ache," mom said with a nervous laugh.

Of course, we never really paid any mind to what she said at first. We simply continued to feast until we developed food babies in our tummies. Nothing was more satisfying than a full belly from mom's cooking.

Why did things have to go this way?

The doorbell rang later that afternoon, and as usual, Serenity was all too eager to answer it.

"I got it!" She called out, making a break for the door.

"Not if I get to it first!" I said, bolting up beside her, the two of us neck and neck until I pulled ahead of her.

"Ha! I win!" I said proudly as he reached up and gripped the knob.

"You always win!" She pouted, puffing out her cheeks in irritation.

I shrugged and turned around to open the door, only to be greeted by a rather strange sight. There was a man wearing a rather outlandish looking uniform. It was reminiscent of a medieval knight, but without the heavy armor. A shield logo with a large P was on the front of the uniform.

I wish I had never answered that door...

"Purrloin!" Serenity cried out as the little feline suddenly found itself absorbed inside of a black sphere and clipped to the side of the belt of the man in the obscure uniform.

"Hey! Give her back!" I shouted, launching myself at the man with all my strength, only to feel a sharp pain in my stomach as I was punched in the gut and thrown aside.

"It's useless to resist. Your Purrloin has now been liberated by Team Plasma. Thank you for contributing to our cause," said the man with a sneer as he opened the door to leave.

"W-wait..." I said as I struggled to my feet. "I'm not...done with you yet..."I said, shooting him a resentful glare.

The man simply looked at me for a moment before laughing. "Kid, you're more than done here. I suggest you stay down before you get seriously hurt," he said before walking out the door, leaving me to stand there, feeling like a complete fool.

Tears streamed down the sides of my face. It was the first time in my life that my little sister had ever seen me cry. Unable to help it, she began to sob uncontrollably. I remember my mother finally waking up after being put out by the intruder. I felt her warm embrace around us as she pulled us into her loving embrace. We just held tight to her, crying until we were tired.

Back then, I wasn't strong enough to help you sis...

I sighed, looking at myself in the mirror, a look of disappointment still lurking in my eyes as I remembered the day I failed my sister. I reached down and picked up my fingerless gloves and slipped them on before zipping up my crimson jacket. My eyes shifted over to the ball that sat on my nightstand.

My faithful partner, Oshawott, was residing within. And today was the day my journey began. I was to meet with my friend Rosa today. She's a strong willed individual with a steel resolve. Furthermore, she's my best friend. Someone I can count on.

I pick up Oshawott's ball and walk out of my room, giving it one final look before heading out.

I promise sis. I am going to get her back. I'm going to get them ALL back...