My lungs burned. I sucked in air through short, sharp breaths. My chest was heaving, but I couldn't stop running yet. They were right behind me, so close. If they catch me, I'm done for. My eyes focussed on a spot several hundred meters away and I knuckled down, running as fast as I could. Bursting with fresh but exhausted speed, I charged forwards. My pursuer groaned and slowed, realising they couldn't get me. I crossed the finish line and slowed down. Breath quickly returned to my lungs as I calmed myself, taking steady breaths.

The crowd's cheers were fire in my ears, and I laughed weakly. Groaning, I straightened up and walked from the running track. I hadn't done well in that race but hey, at least I ran.

Walking back to the stands, I grinned up at the crowd. Today is the athletics carnival and all of Treeline academy has gathered at the sporting fields. Mind you, Treeline doesn't have too many students, less than 300. Though, it's still a big event and some of the community comes to watch. My Dad is in the crowd somewhere; I think he came just to embarrass me.

"Gees, Briar, you really struggled in that race."

I rolled my eyes and smirked, turning to face Kenai. "I was holding back, just thought I'd let someone else win for once."

Kenai's brows rose as he grinned. "Oh, how generous of you, giving away something that was never yours."

I prepared a witty reply and was about to slap him with it when I heard a second voice behind me. I turned and spotted Dad, shuffling through the crowd to get to me. I waved to him before shifting back to Kenai but the Poochyena was halfway down the field.

"I'm getting food from the canteen, see you later!" He called loudly, struggling to be heard over the crowd.

My jaw hung halfway open as I stared in confusion. I watched him go for a moment before a paw on my shoulder caused me to turn. I spun around to find Dad smiling at me.

"Good race," he said, smiling.

"Thanks, I'm just glad I didn't come last."

Dad chuckled. "Ah, I see. Is that your plan for all the events, avoid last place?"

"I'll have you know I plan to take first in the lamp jump."

"Lamp jump?"

"Yep, that's it over there." I pointed across the field to where a tall blue wall stood. The wall was decorated with lots of different buttons, all plain black in colour. At the base of the wall a trampoline could be seen built into the ground.

"In the lamp jump you bounce off the trampoline and press buttons on the wall. The higher the button the more points it's worth. After you push a button it turns yellow for a few seconds and no one else can score by touching it. After a few seconds it turns black again and becomes fair game. Whoever has the most points after one minute, wins."

Dad looked at me with worry. "What happens if you fall off?"

I bit my lip and shrugged. "Uh... Just don't?"

"Yeah, tell me how that works for you."

I rolled my eyes. "Dad, it'll be fine. We practiced at school and it's so much fun."

"Of course, you've practiced this, everyone practices lamp jump!" He drawled sarcastically.

"No, practice is optional."

Dad rolled his eyes at my genuine response. "When does it start?" He asked, checking the large clock hanging above the bleachers.

"Roughly two hours' time."

"Okay, I'll see you then, there's something I need to take care of at work quickly, but I'll be back. Have fun."

"Thanks, you too." I waved to Dad as he walked away, quickly merging with crowd.

"Want a chip?"

"Son of a!" I yelped, jumping out of my skin. I whipped around to see Kenai laughing at me. Lily was sitting on his head, holding a box of hot chips far larger than her, and yes, she was laughing too.

"You two are going to be the death of me," I said, reaching for a chip.

"Probably," Lily answered, nodding. "But before then, hold my chips. I've got an event to win."

"Which one?" I asked, rather surprised.

Lily looked insulted. "That one over there, where you shoot targets with projectile attacks."

"That's a thing?" Kenai asked.

"Oh yeah, and I plan on winning."

Lily jumped from Kenai's head and scuttled away through the crowd, approaching her event. The mutt and I followed slowly after her. Standing back a little way we watched Pokémon aim various attacks at moving targets.

"Chip?" I asked, offering one to Kenai.

"Thanks," he replied, gobbling the chip straight from my hand.

I turned back to watch the event before realising what that may have looked like... Me feeding him is not a romantic thing! He has paws, he can't hold chips! Besides, if he tried to eat from the container, he'd get slobber all over the food! No, what just occurred was purely; polite, hygienic(ish), and logic, nothing more!

******

Lily brushed her blue ribbon proudly. She's been very smug since winning her event earlier. Though, I can't blame her. The way she'd nailed those moving targets, it was impressive, and I'm still not sure how she did it.

Speakers scratched and spat static as a rough voice called over the PA, "All competitors for Lamp jump please gather at the fields southern end!"

"That's me," I said, grinning at my companions. Not gonna lie, I've been looking forward to this all day.

Kenai smiled. "Go get that blue."

"Good luck," Lily said, shooting me a thumbs up.

I nodded and hurried across the field, to the trampoline and the large blue wall. I shuffled in amongst the crowd, where a Grumpig was busily explaining the rules. I didn't pay much attention. Instead, I searched wall. There are five rows of the black buttons and every row is worth a set number of points: the bottom equals one, then three, five, seven, and finally ten. Every row the number of buttons decreases, making it harder to score a lot of points.

I was thinking through my strategy when Grumpig finally finished talking. I lined up with the other competitors and we started running through the heats, three Pokémon jumping at a time.

I've been waiting for this all day and now it can't come quick enough, which of course means, it took forever to finally get my turn. As everyone else went I noticed one Pokémon who stood out. He was a Monferno in my year, different class though. He's the one to beat.

Standing in line, I warmed up, careful not to wear myself out, and eventually it came my turn to jump. I approached the starting mat alongside a Pansage and Sneasel. A loud buzzer rang out, beeped once, twice, three times.

I jumped onto the trampoline, my competitors beside me. I ignored the bottom row and went straight for a five-pointer. I came down hard and fast, striking buttons below me with my legs before crashing to the trampoline and springing up again. This time I made it higher, seven points, but still not high enough. I repeated my earlier strategy and finally reached the top row. I smashed every button I came near to, determined to take the win.

The crowd was cheering behind me, but I hardly noticed, all that existed was the wind flurrying past my fur, the still black buttons, and all that was real. The adrenaline brought with it a touch of clarity, a clearness of thought I haven't felt since my Mother last held me.

My actions were sharp as I brutally floored the competition. I jumped high, reaching the top row and my foot caught on a button below me. Suddenly I was being flung downwards. I tucked in my limbs and shoulders, landing with my back to trampoline. I sprang outwards with all I had and soared again. I slammed the ten-point buttons and just like that, time was up, and the event was over.

I took a few jumps to slow down before stepping off the trampoline. I straightened up and took deep breaths. The air burned as it filled my lungs and I laughed bitterly.

"Rose, that was great!" I heard Lily cry.

"I'll say," agreed what sounded like Dad.

I turned to see both of them skirting around the crowd and approaching. I stepped back and met them halfway. We talked while the rest of the entrants competed.

"You rocked it out there," Dad said, ruffling the fur atop my head.

"Thanks, hopefully it's enough. That Monferno guy was really good."

Dad stiffened. "Boy? Where? Where is he?"

Lily giggled. "Oh, Monferno's not the one you need to worry about."

Dad's brows raised as he shot me a suspicious look.

I glared at Lily. "No, no, there's no one. Lily is delusional."

Lily shrugged. "At least I'm not blind."

Dad laughed. "Nice."

"Thanks," she answered, obviously proud of herself.

I groaned and rolled my eyes before realising, Kenai's not here. I frowned and looked around but couldn't see him.

Lily must've seen me looking because she said, "He saw you jump, but then said he needed to do something and ran off."

My head tilted of its volition. That's the second time he's disappeared today...

Dad crossed his arms. "So, there is someone?" He scowled teasingly.

"No!"

******

The day is practically over. Dad left to cook dinner and Lily headed off a short time ago. The school staff and a few others are putting away the last of the equipment used throughout the day. The sun is setting over the forest and Pokémon are heading home. I'm about to leave too, bag on my shoulder, blue ribbon in my hand, but a distant call caught my ears.

"Thanks for the help, Kenai!"

I turned to see Ludicolo waving goodbye to the mutt. Kenai smiled and responded in kind before turning and heading towards town. I clutched my ribbon tightly. I've wondered long enough, it's time for answers.

I sprinted across the field, quickly catching the Poochyena. He simply raised a curious brow as I fell in step beside him.

"Mutt."

"Briar, congratulations on your win."

"Thanks." I paused, what do I say now, just bluntly ask what he's hiding or why he disappeared today? Hundreds of choices before me and I ignored them all as a simple thought occurred to me. "I didn't see you compete."

"I didn't."

"Why?"

"No need, I was happy cheering everyone else on."

I stopped walking and stared at him blankly. He moved a few more paces before stopping and turning to face me.

"You didn't want to win?"

He smiled. "I already have everything I need."

There, there it is. I finally see it and it made part of my heart chip away, falling to shatter in the belly of a bottomless pit. My face melted as I looked him, as I recognised that smile. That fake smile which I myself practice every morning. The smile I use to convince people that I'm okay, he's wearing that same smile.

He nodded, as if acknowledging the revelation. "Survivors, we don't need much because we know the few things which are worth holding onto."

We stood there for what felt like years and eventually I noticed a tear falling down my cheek. I watched him and he smiled even brighter than ever before. Emotion choked me and tears stung my eyes.

"You did good, Briar. Have a nice evening."

He turned and walked slowly away, tail brushing low as it sadly swept back and forth with his steps. Before I knew it, he was gone, and with him, the answers I need.