I woke up early, excited to go to Oreburgh City. I went to the bathroom and changed my clothes, putting on a pink T-shirt and jeans. I put in the contacts, as always. And after brushing my hair and teeth, I was ready to go.

Rusty greeted me on my bed as I walked out. *Good morning, Jasmine.* :Good morning, Rusty. Are you ready to go to Oreburgh City?: *Yeah, once they get up,* my Shinx said, looking at the other set of bunks. Lucas, Barry, and Dawn were all still sleeping, so I picked up Rusty and bag and left the room with him.

I took him to the area where my friends waited for me after I got my Pokétch. I set Rusty down, pulling a bag of treats out of my backpack. Rusty's electric yellow eyes lit up at the sight of the bag. *Can I have one? Please, please?*

:Well, Rusty, can you roll over,: I asked. *Do you think I'm some kind of Lillipup?* :Just once, please, Rusty? I'll give you a treat!: Rusty smiled at the mention of the treats again.

He rolled onto his back, his legs pointing up at the sky. His previously burnt leg had some charred black fur on it, but Nurse Joy said it would grow back at some point. He gave me a goofy smile, causing me to smile back. I pulled a Aspear Berry out of the bag and presented it to Rusty. He rolled back to his feet, eyes focused on the berry and tail waving back and forth.

I gently tossed the berry in the air. Rusty jumped and caught it in his mouth. The Flash Pokemon landed in front of me, laying down and tearing at the berry. I never liked the sour taste of them, but Rusty was a fanatic of them. He said they made him tougher.

After Rusty ate, I picked him up and set him on my lap. He paced around for a second, before laying down. I slung my backpack off my arm to the bench besides me, opening it and taking out my hairbrush. I ran the bristles down Rusty's head, aligning his fur. Rusty purred all the while.

However, Rusty's purring stopped suddenly, and he turned his head. :Rusty? What's the matter,: I asked. Rusty pointed to an Eevee, sitting on the side of the street. Rusty's cheeks flushed pink when he saw it.

*Wow...she's cute...* Rusty softly said. :Rusty? You have one of those 'crush' things on her, don't you?: *Yeah...can I go talk to her?* :Sure, go for it.:

I set the Shinx down, who proceeded to walk over to the Eevee. *Hey, are you alone,* Rusty asked. *No, I'm waiting for my dad. He doesn't like being out in the sun.* *Oh, may I wait with you?*

*Sure,* the Eevee said, scooting over. Rusty sat next to her, smiling. The Eevee giggled. *Your smile sure is funny.* Rusty smiled more, before placing his paw on hers.

The Eevee looked Rusty in the eyes, before smacking him with her tail. She walked away, before quickly finding her father, an Umbreon. Rusty walked back to me. :I'm sorry, Rusty.: *That's okay, she's not the first.*

:What do you mean?: *Ever since I was abandoned, I always tried to find new friends. But stuff always got in the way, and I was always alone.* :But now you're here with me, Rusty. We're friends now, and I'd never betray you.:

*I know, but...I've always wanted to have a girlfriend. Someone who I could play with and make happy. And...maybe one day...call them my mate.* :Your...mate? What does that mean?:

*I wanna be a daddy someday.* :Oh, so...mate means someone you're married to for Pokemon?: *I guess. But I've never had a girlfriend, and...I don't know I'll ever have one,* Rusty said, beginning to cry.

I picked up Rusty and held him close. :Now why would you think that? You're a kind, loyal, funny, and caring Pokemon. You went through all that you have without knowing what would happen next, and that's truly impressive. When you do find that special someone, I know they'll feel incredibly lucky to be with you.:

Rusty looked up at me, his big yellow irises glistening with tears. *You really think so?* :I know so, Rusty,: I said, hugging him. Rusty nuzzled me as I hugged him, rubbing his head against mine and purring. *Jasmine...is it wrong to want to find love?*

:Of course not, Rusty. Everyone deserves love in my opinion.: Rusty nodded, smiling. The sun began peering over the buildings as we looked at each other. Then, a yawn sounded from within my ears.

:Ahh...good morning, Jasmine.: :Oh...hello, Jasper. You've been quiet recently.: :Have I? Guess I'll have to fix that,: my inner voice teased.

I rolled my eyes, directing my attention back to my Pokemon. Rusty was now trying to squirm his way out of my grasp. I smiled and kissed his forehead, before setting him down. "Well well, I see someone's up early," a voice said to me. I looked over and saw Mr. Berry approaching.

"Ah, hello sir," I said with a smile. "No need for formalities, Jasmine, and before you say it, it's alright." I closed my mouth, stopping myself from apologizing. "So, you're leaving for Oreburgh today, huh?" "Yeah, once my friends wake up."

"Well, I'd like to give you a little something for the road." He slung off a guitar case from his back, setting it down in front of me. My eyes lit up as I gasped, looking shocked at the man. "R-Really?" "Open it," he said with a smile.

I carefully unlatched the case and looked inside. A shiny new guitar awaited me, light gleaming off the polished surface. I gasped again, looking up to my friend, eyes shining with joy. "R-really? F-for me?"

"Yes, Jasmine, I want you to have it. You're amazing at playing the guitar, and you should know that. You should share your gift with those you meet. You have both your mother's singing voice and your father's knack for the guitar. No matter what you do, never forget that," he said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

Tears of joy were coming into my eyes, and I wrapped my arms around Mr. Berry, hugging him. My teacher smiled and my, stroking a bit of my hair. "Th-thank you," I said through my tears. "Of course, dear. Happy to help."

:Aww, how precious. You wanna name him your godfather too,: Jasper taunted. Rusty came bounding over. *Lucas and Barry and Dawn; they're here!* I looked over to see my friends walking towards us.

"So, are we interrupting a sort of family moment," Lucas asked. :Oh no, you're just watching me hug a man at least twice my age,: Jasper yelled to Lucas, who couldn't hear. :Be nice, he's the reason we are where we are.: "N-no...it's alright..." I said, as Mr. Berry released me.

"Well...shall we go now," Dawn asked. "Whoa, Jasmine, awesome guitar," Barry awed. "Yes, we should, and thanks," I responded, before looking back to Mr. Berry. "Again...th-thank you..." "You're very welcome, and if things go south looking for your mother...I can take care of you," my older friend said with a smile.

I nodded, sniffling as tears came back into my eyes. Mr. Berry wiped my tears. "Don't cry, sweetheart, be happy. You're about to begin your journey, and I know you and Rusty will be unstoppable one day." I nodded, determination in my pink irises.

"Alright, it's finally time to go," Barry yelled. Rusty looked up at me with pleading eyes, causing me to smile and pick him up, putting him on my shoulder. We all waved goodbye to Jubilife City, before walking out to Route 203. "Come on, let's do some training," Dawn said, smiling. "A-alright, yeah," I added.

(12 Hours Later)

I was lying in the grass near Oreburgh Gate. Rusty and the others were clearing out the Zubat inside the tunnel so that I could go through safely. I was terrified of the small Pokemon after my life as a prisoner, so my friends decided to help out. I was enjoying the sunset sky, gazing up at the pink, blue, and orange among other colors sky. I stayed there, watching the sky and clouds, my ruby red hair sprawled out against the ground, as if a blood red wave was spreading out from my head.

As I watched the sky, a delighted sigh filled my ears. :Ah...so nice...: Jasper said. "Wait, you can feel that too?" :Well...that depends. What are you feeling?:

"I...I feel a warm, comforting feeling, why?" :That's not what I feel. I feel a rush, an energy. In a way, how you felt as you ran for your life. I feel...alive.:

"Oh...hey, Jasper? :Yes, Jasmine?: "I'm...really sorry." :Umm...for what?: "Well...the way you sound, you have the feeling you get from the sun...but you wish you had a body to truly feel it with...I just wish I could help..."

Jasper began sobbing. :Jasmine...you're right. I'm just a voice trapped inside you.: "Hey, don't say that! One day, I'll find a way to get you a body!"

I desperately wanted to hug my inner voice. "Then, we could be true friends!" :True...friends? I'm your friend?: "Of course! You're awesome!"

Jasper gave a chuckle, causing me to smile. Then, seemingly in an instant, I felt as if I was falling. The sunset sky above me was rising up and away rapidly, being replaced by pitch black darkness. But then, suddenly, I was back, the darkness surrounding me gone. I was shuddering violently, tears coming to my eyes. Not helping was the fact that the sun had set.

"H-help..." I begged weakly, unable to move. I closed my eyes, feeling like I was going to pass out. Then, I felt a touch under my knees and back, before being lifted up. I opened my eyes weakly to try and see who rescued me, but my vision was blurry. But I could make out a faint image, and tried to address them. "P-Paul," I asked, before passing out.

---O---O---O---

Word Count: 1667 Words

And thus, another chapter that was far too overdue is complete!

So, how many of you are liking Jasper? I know there are very few of you who read this, but still, I appreciate feedback!

Anyways, this is SSGSSJ2, signing off! Happy Reading!