Hi everyone, SK here.

I was just thinking about Ash's Kalos League experience.  The writers led up to the fact that he was going to win, but at the very last second, Greninja fainted and he lost.

If you're wondering why I'm thinking about this... no reason.  Anyways, let's start the next chapter clean and fresh with Valerie.

I hope you enjoy it!! :)

Valerie

"I knew you guys would get in trouble," I fret, pacing around his room.  "I'm so sorry I-"

August puts his strong hands on my shoulders, calming me down.  "Valerie.  Stop.  We're not in trouble, I promise."

I look down at my toes.  "I ruin everything."

"Hey, don't say that!" he protests.  "You're amazing, and you don't ruin anything.  Take my life for example; you make it better by being in it."

That earns him a flustered smile from me.  Dammit, August.

"See?" he says slyly.  "I knew you'd agree with me."  He grins, and I try my hardest to not make it look like my heart's beating a thousand times a minute.

He's always been good at this, pulling me back up out of the hole I crawl into.  My dad- no, both my parents have caused me a lot of mental trauma.  I don't like thinking about it, but I've never been fully happy.  I didn't exactly live a normal childhood.  It's not like I don't have friends who help me, because I do!  My friends have always been there for me.  Well, them and August, once he came around.

Without a knock this time, Verity pushes the door open.  "Guys, I think I figured something out!"

"Wait, so you both overheard stuff?" I question.  August himself only came back about a minute or two ago.  He didn't really tell me anything yet.

Verity flashes an annoyed look at August.  "Auggs, why didn't you tell her?"

Auggs?  That's a cute nickname.

"You stayed there for like a minute after me, I had no time to tell her!" he protests.

Verity sighs.  "Well, it looks like it's my job, again, to get things done around here."  She motions for us to sit down, so August and I sit on the edge of his bed while Verity sits in his desk chair.  

"They were saying that you have similar looks to someone else they'd met before," the fairy explains.  "Someone named 'Star'."

"Star?" I echo.  "That's a rather odd name."

"But the question is, who would they meet outside the Colony?"  August questions, staring blankly forward.  "We all like breaking rules but this is Heliux and Layra we're talking about- well, specifically Heliux."

"He doesn't like to break rules?" I ask him.  I hate it being left out.  

He nods.  "He's a rule-freak," August explains.  "He obsesses over them.  Layra, on the other hand, is way more lenient with that kind of stuff.  She's more fun.  Honestly, I don't see how they became a couple in the first place, they're both so different."

"They're a couple?" I ask.  From what I've heard about them, these two fairies sound like polar opposites.  The quiet guy who is scared to break rules and express himself and the extroverted girl who takes chances and risks just for the thrill of it.  

They sound like a perfect match.

"Yeah," Verity answers with an eye-roll.  "But we're getting off-topic here.  We need to figure out who Star is, and how they knew the Ministers.  This Star person obviously did something to them and we need to find out what it is and why."

"But isn't one of the Queen- er, Her Majesty's friends named Star?  Couldn't it be her?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," the dark-winged fairy sighs.  "It's been centuries since we've seen Star though, I can't even remember what she looks like or if she fits the Ministers' description.  That being said there's probably a higher chance that it is her, but I didn't think that she and the Ministers were very close.  They only see each other twice a year after all.  But that doesn't change the fact that we need to investigate."

"So what, we're supposed to go about this like some kind of mystery show?  What's the point anyway?"

"To find out Star's connection with Valerie!"

"But... didn't you just say we're going to figure out Star's connection with Heliux and Layra?"

"Okay okay," I say before Verity can get another word in.  I really don't want to break up a fight.  "Even if it's not that important overall, you guys should still figure it out because it seems this Star person was an important part of their past.  Since you guys will be Leaders eventually, shouldn't you know this stuff?  Although I don't know why this person would have a connection with me-"

"Valerie."  The softness in Verity's usually proud-sounding voice startles me, and I stop talking.  The fairy's eyes are soft as she looks at me.  "This Star person has the same eyes as you."

It takes me a second.  "... what?"

August nods from beside me.  "Valerie, I don't know much about biology, but I know enough to say that it's not common for someone to have eyes like yours."  He sounds quiet, almost too quiet.

I'm still processing this information.  "What are you saying?" the words come out of me all at once like a gust of wind.

Verity stays still.  "Valerie, whoever Star is could be one of your parents.  Or, at least someone related to you."  

"No."

August catches me with a glance.  "Valerie-"

"NO!" I shout, standing up.  "Why are you guys saying my name like that!?  I don't need coddling, and I certainly don't need parents or a biological family.  They all abandoned me, why would they want me back?  Arceus, I'm not letting myself get hurt again.  I don't need a real family, because that's proven to be an absolute load of crap for me.  I need my friends.  I want my friends back, they've always been there for me and they will until the very end.  But I can't go back to them, because I know I'm going to be trapped here until I die.  I have my entire future planned!  I have a scholarship to go to Wyndon University, almost fully-paid.  I can finally leave my dad and start a life of my own, without his daily a-abuse.  I'm so close.  I just have to write my final exams, and then I'm out of here.  I want to live my life!  I want to be with my friends.  I want to graduate.

"I... I want to go home."

I feel a tear drip down my cheek and I rapidly try to wipe it away, feeling pathetic.  Why am I crying?  Stop crying!

Verity comes up to me and clasps my hands in hers.  "We're going to get you home, alright?  There's no need to cry."

"S-Sorry," I stammer, not letting go of Verity's hands.  What I've just said makes it sound like I'm miserable.  Which, maybe I am, but I'm truly excited to be here.  I just don't want to be here forever, that's all.

August makes eye-contact with me, his blue orbs filled with sympathy.  "You don't have to apologize.  You've been through a lot."

"That's an understatement," I say sarcastically, letting out a small laugh.

"Why don't we do something to get your mind off of it?" Verity suggests, a bright smile back on her face as she lets go of my hands.  Gesturing towards the door, she adds, "Want us to take you on a tour now?"

I nod.  "That could be fun," I muse, relief evident in my tone.   I feel a smile begin to creep back on my face, but it knows that it's not its place.  Not time.

August leaves his sitting position and almost waltzes toward his door.  He has a big grin on his face as he swings it open, and it doesn't leave as he turns to look at me.  "What are we waiting for?  This is gonna be awesome!"

He looks so eager it hurts.  Even though I know this is going to be an amazing experience, there's still a part of me that just wants to ignore all of this and go back to my normal life.  I want to tell myself to just ignore that part of me that's holding me back, but I know it isn't that simple.  If only life worked like that-

"Val?" Verity cuts in, testing out a new nickname.  "You okay?"

I quickly shake my head up and down, not wanting the siblings to worry about me.  "I'm okay," I assure them, trying out a smile.  It doesn't quite fit, but I know I just need to grow into it.  "Sorry, I was just thinking... that I should bring Nombles with me."  I calmly walk over to the nightstand and pick up the Frosmoth's Pokeball.

Turning back toward the twins, I give them a thumbs up.  "Now I'm good.  Let's go!"

As we exit, Verity looks curiously at the Pokeball.  "What kind of Pokemon is Nombles?" she questions.

"Nombles is my Frosmoth," I tell her with excitement seeping into my voice.  "She actually evolved last night!"

"Woah, really?  That's awesome!" the fairy exclaims.  "Frosmoth is such a cool Pokemon."

As we walk down the rose-covered hall, which I actually think is quite beautiful, I stare the girl questionably.  "Was that a pun?"

Verity looks confused before grinning.  "Yes, but an unintended one," she assures me.  She lets out a chuckle which makes me amused.  Verity certainly seems like a fun-loving fairy, that's for sure.  I like her.

The three of us walk down the hall then down some flights of stairs while the siblings share idle chit-chat with each other.  I envy their relationship; if one of them messed up the other one would always be right there, no matter how many times they'd fought.  I wish I had that kind of relationship with my siblings.  I frown.  You don't have any siblings.  Where on Earth are these thoughts coming from?

"This is the exit," August says suddenly, breaking my thought chain.  "You're about to see a lot more fairies."

"I'm a bit nervous," I admit while playing with a strand of my hair, my nervous tic.

Verity smiles, turning her head toward me.  "It's not like everyone is going to jump on you."

"I guess that's true," I admit with a small chuckle.  "Okay then, let's go."

We leave the building, and I am in utter amazement.

There is so much here that I can barely process it all.

August must see his expression because he smiles fondly.  "I know, it's a lot to take in, even if you might've seen a little last night.  The Colony is amazing, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I say absently, still taking everything in.  He's right that I did catch a glimpse of his home during the night when he brought me here, but it was super dark, too dark to really see anything in detail.  Now, however, I can see everything.  

Scattered throughout this place- the Colony?- there are buildings similar to the ones that we came from, although not as grandiose.  Those must be where the fairies live, I figure.  The buildings form almost a spiral shape around the space, but because of how they are placed it still looks open.  In between the taller structures there are smaller ones, which I assume are restaurants and gathering spots for leisure activities.  Beautiful pathways crafted from marble and stone flow throughout the Colony almost like streams in a forest.  There are beautiful decorations everywhere, from the fairy lights strung from building to building, the fountains that sprinkle water, or the well-maintained gardens.  I glance upwards, where the seemingly giant trees dapple the sunlight that shines down on this place; when I do, I see what must be at least a hundred small floating islands that only add to the whimsical appearance of the Colony.

I might be forgetting one more thing; that's the fairies themselves.  There are so many of them, all flying around and being busy with what I assume to be their daily activities.  I notice some of them are practicing magic, some of them are sharing a meal with friends, and others look like they have too many things to do with not enough time.  I breathe in and let out a long sigh; I can almost taste the magic, there's so much of it here.  A true genuine smile, one that fits perfectly, finally forms on my face.  Maybe staying here forever wouldn't be that bad after all.

Then, like a crash of thunder, reminders come flooding back to me.  I have friends back in Pallet Town.  People that I still care about, despite everything that happened last night.  I have a future.  I have my whole life ahead of me.

Maybe this will be your life.  It doesn't look too bad.

I sigh.  I need to stop arguing with myself, this is becoming a serious issue.

"Where should we take you first, Val?" she asks, thinking out loud.  "It is okay if I call you that, right?"

"Sure!" I say brightly.  No one's ever had any nicknames for me before, not even my friends.  It makes me feel special.

"The Battle Arena?" August offers.  "Or maybe the Theatre?"

"Battle Arena?" I ask.  "For Pokemon battles?"  I grow excited.  I've always wanted to try battling with Nombles, but my father never let me.  My friends have battled before, though.  I always love experiencing that feeling of suspense whenever one of my friends' battles comes down to the dime; I still remember that one time I actually fell off the edge of my seat watching Rosa battle her sister, Hilda.

Verity nods.  "Yes!  You and Nombles could probably try battling later today if we get the chance.  I can tell you that battling is super fun, if you've never tried it before.  Have you?"

"It's not just for fairies?" I check.  "And no, I've never battled before, though I've always wanted to."  I pause.  "If you've battled before, does that mean you have Pokemon?"  My curiosity peaks as my questions continue pouring out.  "August, do you have Pokemon as well?"

Looking slightly amused, both siblings nod.  "Fairies usually have one Pokemon, which is connected to our souls; we don't store them in regular Pokeballs.  When we send them out, they look like they're made of some kind of mist, so we call them our Mist Pokemon."

"You see the Necklaces that everyone's wearing?" Verity asks me, and I nod.  "Every Light and Dark fairy has one, and they help us use magic easier.  The Soul Necklaces- but we just call them Necklaces- can help us communicate with dead fairies, and help us summon our Mist Pokemon easier."

"But you guys aren't wearing Necklaces," I point out.  "And the Ministers weren't either."  The three of us proceed to one of the pathways and begin walking.  I catch some fairies glancing at us, but to my surprise, their gazes are warm and friendly, not suspicious.

"Well they're immortal," August explains, "so since they don't have anything to pass on when they die, because they won't die, they don't need Necklaces."

"Auggs and I don't have Necklaces because our parents are wearing ours," his sister adds, lightly shaking her head as she steps forward.  "When him and I one day take their positions, we'll wear them."

Verity's voice takes a dark tone at the end; it makes me realize what her last statement means.  Their parents have to die for them to become Leaders.  I shudder slightly, even though I will never have to go through that, it still sounds awful to me.

"Thanks for the explanation," I say awkwardly, fully knowing I'll probably be repeating this phrase countless times throughout today.  There's so much here I don't understand, but I'm willing to learn.

As we walk down the path, August and Verity begin pointing out various stops along the way.  There are tiny shops where it looks like fairies are crafting clothes and little nicknacks, and restaurants where fairies are eating and serving food.  We approach what seems to be the main plaza, which is just a large open area with a small side-section that hosts a microphone and some instruments.  They must have dances here, I think to myself.  When I look up, I get a clear view of the building where we came from, specifically a large balcony on the outside of it.  

"Do your parents make announcements from there?" I ask curiously, pointing to the balcony.

August nods.  "Sometimes," he says absently.  "What do you think so far?"

"It's beautiful," I tell him truthfully.  "I can't wait to tell my friends about this!"

"Don't tell that to anyone else," Verity says quickly in a warning tone.  "If everyone believes that there's a risk of information about us being spilled to humans, they won't let you leave.  August and I won't tell anyone, just don't mention that to anyone else.  Okay?"

"Okay," I say mutely, my anxiety rising a little.  You have to be careful what you say.  Do you want to leave or not?

"Ah, there you three are.  I've been looking all over for you!" the voice sounds somewhat familiar, and when we turn around, we see Heliux standing behind us.  

"Hi," I greet politely.  "I didn't think we had a proper introduction last time.  Are you feeling any better?"

The Minister's eyes avert to the side.  "Yes, I am.  Thank you."  He turns back to me, looking awfully shifty.  "If you're not doing anything important, would you mind having a small chat with me?  I'd like to talk with you before the Council later today."  His voice sounds kind but there's something in his eyes that sends a different message, and that's fear.  Is he afraid... of me?  I hardly think that I'm something to be scared of.

Nonetheless, I nod at Heliux.  "Sure," I tell him lightly.  Turning back to August and Verity, I ask them where I should meet them when I finish.

"Come by the Battle Arena when Heliux is finished with you," Verity says with a smile.  "You can try battling for yourself."

"Okay, I will!  See you guys later," I tell them with a smile, then go to follow the Minister back in the direction we came from.

I AM SO SORRY THESE CHAPTERS ARE SO LONG.

That being said, I hope you enjoyed it.  I'm gonna try and make them shorter but you know me... I overdo things.  Oops >w<

Well that's it from me today.  Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for next chapter!! :D