Shadow POV

I just have one question. One, single question.

What. The. Heck. Is. Wrong. With. Sapphire?

Every time I try to talk to her, she snaps at me! I haven't seen her smile for days! What happened? Is she just mad at Liana? Does she distrust Asha? She won't tell me, no matter how many times I ask her. That Snivy has just become so... Distant.

I study her from the alley (no, I'm not stalking her, thank you very much). She is standing with her arms crossed, glaring at everything that came near her.

Girls. You can never understand them.

Well, I guess it's because they don't want everyone to know how they feel.

I pause, stepping lightly out of the alley. Sapphire glances at me but says nothing as I stride past her, staring ahead. If she's going to be all crabby at me, then I'm going to be rude right back at her.

I also pass Julie, who's standing awkwardly in the middle of town. I can see why- she's the only human in a group of ticked-off Pokemon. I'm sure she regrets taking the translation bracelet. She probably doesn't want to hear us arguing so often.

    Seeing Aurora and Gardevoir standing together under a tree, I stop, feeling a sudden rush of sadness. I feel like a Turtwig in a group of Flareons- like I don't belong. Aurora is suddenly best friends with Gardevoir. Asha and Dare are together more often. Sapphire doesn't talk to anyone.

    What's happened to my team?

    I bite my lip, feeling unexpected tears. Furiously I blink them away and keep walking, but there's nothing I could do about my thoughts. They keep coming on.

    Has my team... Split up? Are we still friends? Can we even be considered a team anymore?

    I suppose not. Ben's gone. All these new Pokemon are here.

    I deeply regret it, but I almost feel like these new people have replaced me. I know I'm just pitying myself, but that's the only thought I have. If Asha, Julie, and Gardevoir weren't here, the four of us would still be together... We'd still be a team.

    I duck my head when I realize I'm actually crying. No no no, stop it, stop crying, I think as tears stream down my face. I wipe them away with one paw and freeze when I hear my name.

    "Shadow?"

    "Yeah?" I croak, in the you-can-clearly-tell-I'm-crying voice. I do my best to wipe my tears and turn around.

    Julie blinks. She knows, and I stare hard at the ground.

    "Uh- Uh, Shadow, we're going- so- so if you're ready-"

    "I'm fine," I whisper, still staring at the ground. I silently follow her back to the middle of town where Sapphire, Aurora, and Gardevoir are standing. A few seconds later, Asha walks over, followed by Dare. My heart lurches when Aurora turns away from Dare.

    "It's time to go," Julie says. "Is everyone ready?"

    We slowly nod. Sapphire doesn't move at all, I notice.

    "Let's go then," Julie says, turning around. We follow her across the street, ignoring the stares from passerby. I don't look at anyone, just stare straight ahead, my dark paws stepping lightly.

    Suddenly Dare inhales, and I instantly see what he's looking at.

    Up ahead, about half a mile away, are rolling white hills covered in snow.

    "I miss the tundra," says Asha unexpectedly, in a softer voice.

    There's a pause, and Dare says, "Me too."

    <><><>

    Ayyyyyy! You like?

    Comment down who's POV I should do next!