Everyone was surprised when Sophie wandered out from Lillie's tent the next morning, followed by the blonde herself. Both were yawning, but seemed surprisingly relaxed. "Good morning!" Lillie smiled, seeming happier than usual today. "Eevee!" Sophie greeted, cheery as normal, hurrying off to greet everyone individually.

"Lillie, was... was Sophie just in your tent with you?" Serena asked, shocked. "Yeah, she actually helped me a lot last night," Lillie admitted. "And I petted her!"

"You pet Sophie?!" The four Trainers - Lilac and Kit didn't seem to be up yet - gasped. "Yeah!" Lillie giggled, filling them all in on what happened that night while they ate breakfast.

"... and then we sat there for a bit longer until I saw that she was shivering, so we both went back into the tent. I just talked to her for a while after that. I guess we must've both fell asleep."

"That's really great, Lillie!" Ash praised. "Hey, Sophie! Come over here, we wanna see this!"

Sophie looked over curiously, then said goodbye to a now annoyed Chespin to head over to the humans, sticking close to Lillie. "Eevee?"

"Hi, Sophie," Lillie smiled, then gently petted her. Sophie immediately froze up, not expecting it. Lillie quickly pulled away. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't think..."

Sophie shook her head quickly, looking guilty. "Eevee..." she took a deep breath and nuzzled Lillie's hand, making the blonde smile again as she went back to petting Sophie.

"I guess Sophie's still not so comfortable," Ash frowned. "But it's still an improvement," Serena pointed out, smiling. "And Lillie touched her with no problem!"

Bonnie hurried back into her tent, returning with a brush. "Lillie? Sophie really loves to be brushed! Why don't you try it?"

Lillie smiled and took the brush. "Sure, thank you! Would you like that, Sophie?" "Eevee!" Sophie yipped eagerly, her tail wagging at the thought. She came closer to Lillie, who reached out to her slowly. "Is it okay if I pick you up?"

Sophie seemed hesitant at that, but nodded. Lillie smiled reassuringly to her and gently picked her up, setting her in her lap. She then began to brush Sophie, who quickly settled down and began quietly purring, enjoying the brushing. She had a lot of dirt and sand in her fur, but Lillie was careful and gentle, making quick work of it until her brown fur was silky smooth.

"There! All done!" Lillie smiled to Sophie, who smiled back. Now that she'd settled, however, she seemed rather comfortable in Lillie's lap, accepting her pettings with a happy purr.

Everyone smiled at the pair, glad that they'd both managed to help each other out. It was good to see them both smiling and overcoming their fears.

This encouraged Apple to come over and try to hop up beside Lillie, only resulting in the blonde freezing up. "A... ah..." she squeaked nervously, staring at Apple like she'd attack at any second.

Sophie gently nuzzled Lillie's hand, trying to reassure her. "Vee, Eevee..." She soothed softly, then gently tapped Lillie's shoulder, making her finally tear her gaze away from the Chikorita. "Huh?"

Sophie smiled at Lillie, her tail wagging. "Eevee!" She encouraged, then approached Apple and gently gave her three pats on the head. "Vee! Vee! Vee!" She counted each one out, then looked up at Lillie. "Eevee!"

Surprisingly, Lillie got the message. "Just three pats, right... just three little pats..." she slowly reached towards Apple, who listened to something Sophie told her before becoming perfectly still.

One pat. "Vee!" Sophie smiled encouragingly. Lillie was still clearly nervous, so Sophie gently nuzzled her. "Eevee, Ee Ee!" This made Lillie smile slightly.

Another pat. "Vee Vee!" Sophie grinned, then nuzzled Lillie again, wagging her tail to show her excitement for her friend. Lillie's smile widened at that. She was a little less scared now.

A third pat. "Vee Vee Vee!" Sophie cheered, then hugged Lillie proudly. Lillie couldn't help but laugh and hug Sophie back, watching as Apple returned to Bonnie quite happily.

"Nice going, Lillie!" Ash praised, grinning. "That was great!" Serena smiled. "And Sophie did great, too!" Bonnie added quickly, hugging Apple. "Sophie's definitely a great helper," Clemont agreed with Bonnie.

"Thank you, Sophie," Lillie smiled to the little Eevee in her lap. "You know, I was actually really worried to come here and try to touch Pokémon again, but now... I'm really glad I did. You've been such a big help, I never thought it could be so easy. Or that anyone else would seem to truly understand..."

"Eevee!" Sophie smiled, hugging Lillie tighter. Everyone laughed at the cute Eevee and the bond she'd made with Lillie.

"Huh? What's going on out here?" Everyone looked over in surprise when Kit and Lilac emerged from their tent, the latter yawning sleepily. "Lillie can touch Sophie and she just patted Apple!" Ash explained, still looking proud for his friend.

"That's great!" Kit smiled. "Right?" She turned to Lilac, who giggled and nodded. "Yeah! Well done!"

~•~

X's POV:

I'm almost there. Kanto is quite a large region to fly over, especially when I have to avoid humans as much as possible, but I'm finally almost there.

The spirits - those Ghost types from the laboratory - seem to have followed me here. I don't mind, if I'm honest; there's something oddly comforting about them. I don't pretend I understand it.

One ghost starts to smother me with their presence, then dart off towards a house. It's trying to lead me there. It seems to know exactly what I'm looking for. Interesting...

I fly down and step inside, frowning when I realise the house is abandoned. The furniture is all still here, covered in thick layers of dust. I hear one of the ghosts begin wailing eerily. I can't think why, not that I'm fussed enough to try and work it out.

"They left in a hurry," I deduce with a frown. "Where? Do you know?"

I don't know why I assumed they would. Better to ask, I suppose. But I got no answers, so I head up the staircase, footprints being left in my wake due to all the dust.

I find little of use as I search the upstairs. There isn't much, only a bathroom, a master bedroom and a room with two small beds and a chest of toys among other things. It must be their room.

I step into the room, glancing around. It all seemed so... perfect. Complete.

I glance at the faded photograph still in my hand. I can just imagine her here, giggling and laughing with her sibling. I wonder if they were close?

The lone, still whimpering spirit hovers in the room. I can't see them, but I know they're there; I can feel their presence with my Psychic abilities. I wonder what they're doing here when the others are wandering the house.

I notice the toy chest open at their metaphysical hand. Empty, aside from a lone Banette, fast asleep under a scrap of cloth. Frowning, I approach the small doll-like Pokémon. Perhaps they know where the sibling is.