(Word count: 1,269)

"Why must you go so soon?!" Raven pleaded with Astro as she and Stella helped him through the once again bustling streets of Laverre City. "Can't you wait another week? Maybe they'll find Kalliope!"

"I've already lost faith," Astro replied, wincing as he stepped on his now mended leg. "All those weeks wasted. No, it's better if I look myself. They don't have the same motivation as I do."

"It wouldn't hurt to stay!" Stella added hopefully while Nyx, who was walking beside her trainer, meowed encouragingly.

"Your concern for my wellbeing is touching, ladies," their friend said admiringly. "It is tempting, but I'd really like to get moving."

Both Raven and Stella exchanged disappointed looks. After a weeks of recovering, Astro finally decided that he was ready to start his personal journey in search of his partner. The girls tried persuading him to stay, but he stood firmly in place. That was the only downside about him: he was so darn stubborn.

"Is Caramia coming?" Stella asked Raven a minute later.

"She stayed behind a bit," Raven explained. "She told us to wait for her at the gate. She shouldn't be too long."

"I'm gonna miss her," Astro admitted. "She would never let me say it, but she was a great battler and friend. Not sure if she liked me, but I like her."

"Of course she likes you!" Stella argued firmly. "Who wouldn't? You're a brother to us all!"

They soon reached the gate to Route 15, which was known for it's abandoned hotel that was swarming with rebellious teens and gangsters. A dangerous and foreboding route, really.

"This is really it?" Raven squeaked as Astro took his bag from her and slung it over his shoulder. "We're really parting ways?"

"I told you, I can't let y'all come," Astro reminded her as he took a pokeball off his belt. He pressed the button and Blitzen the Fennekin popped out. He barked and landed happily in front of Astro. But Astro didn't look at Blitzen or Nyx as he turned to look at Stella.

"Stella, I have a massive favor to ask ya," he started nervously. "I want you to take Nyx and Blitzen."

His Meowstic and Fennekin both yelped and meowed with shock and Stella's jaw dropped. None of them were expecting this.

"Why?" Stella finally demanded.

"I don't wanna lose them like I lost Kalliope," he told her sadly. "They are strong, but...I'd never forgive myself if I let something happen to them. Blitzen is so young, and Nyx...she was my partner along with Kalliope. Besides, I think they would be great at Showcases, they'll help ya. Please, Stella..."

Stella looked down at Blitzen and Nyx. They looked horrified at being told that they had to be separated from their trainer. But it was going to be dangerous if they went Astro...

"I'll take good care of them," she finally sighed, accepting the two Pokemon's pokeballs.

"Thanks so much," Astro thanked, looking relieved as he knelt down to see his Pokemon. "You two be good for Stella, ya hear?"

"Meowstic?" Nyx whined, tugging on her trainer's sleeve while Blitzen whimpered tearfully, "Fen..."

"I'm sorry, I wish I could take y'all along," he told them while pulling them into a hug. "But I don't want to see you hurt, or worse... I promise I'll come back, but for now you gotta stay with Stella. Do I make myself clear?"

The Pokemon nodded, and Astro stood up and handed them to Stella. For a second Stella thought he might take them back, but he quickly turned away. She thought she had seen a tear go down his cheek before he did. She heard Raven sniff beside her as if about to cry.

"Astro," Stella suddenly started. "I almost forgot! Raven, can you hold them for a second?"

She handed Blitzen and Nyx to her sister before digging around in her own bag. She then pulled out a flat box that was tied shot.

"I got this for you," she explained nervously as she shakily gave it to him. "I got it a few weeks ago. Just something to remember us by."

Astro looked curious as he broke the string tying it and removed the cover. He chuckled as he removed a long coat from the box. It wasn't just any coat. It was designed with the galaxy on it, and more specifically, sparkling stars.

"You said you were nervous about people seeing your side brace, so I thought you might want a coat to hide it..." Stella said shyly while her face burned.

"I love it, Princess!" Astro laughed as he suddenly hugged her. Stella squeaked with slight embarrassment, remembering Caramia's teasing.

"I-I'm glad you like it," she stammered with relief as Astro let go and put the coat on.

"It's so pretty!" Raven complimented as she handed the sad Pokemon back to Stella. "It totally fits you!"

"But I won't need to wear this to remember y'all," Astro admitted. "You're all the family I got. Now I think I should take my leave now-"

"STOP RIGHT THERE, MISTER."

Everyone jumped at the shout. Caramia was running toward them, her bags in one hand while in the other she waved around a black cane.

"You thought you could leave me behind, didn't you?!" She snapped at Astro as she skidded to a stop in front of him. "That's just cold, honestly!"

"Caramia, what're you doing with those?" Stella asked, staring at Caramia's bags.

"Ain't it obvious? I'm going too!"

"Now hold on-" Astro began, but Caramia argued, "Your doctor said you can't travel by yourself with them ribs! Besides, you can't just get in a bro ship and simply slip out!"

She then shoved the black cane into Astro's chest. Astro, still looking bewildered, checked over the cane before saying seriously, "Caramia, this is a stun cane..."

"And you better use it, it cost big bucks! You'll thank me one day!"

"But-"

"No arguing! Look, you won't take all of us, so you might as well just take me! This way you won't walk completely out of our lives, unless that's what you want!"

"No, of course not-"

"See, we're in agreement!"

"Oh Caramia!" Raven whined as she burst into tears again and flung herself onto her cousin. "I wish you'd told us sooner! Now we're losing both of you!"

"It's not like we're going forever!" Caramia snapped as she tried pushing Raven off. "We'll meet up soon, I'll make sure of that!"

Stella was then the one to cry. She too threw her arms around Caramia and hugged her tightly. It took a long time for Caramia and Astro to stop the other two girls' crying, along with Blitzen and Nyx's protests and pleadings to come along with Astro.

"Now no more crying!" Caramia finally shouted at her cousins once they stopped crying. "You can cry when we leave! That's actually now, so come on, boy!"

As Caramia strutted toward the route gate, Astro turned sheepishly to the other two, "Well, I suppose I should go. I wish ya both nothing but the best until we see each other again. See y'all around, Blitzen, Nyx, Raven, and Princess."

He then turned away from his family before limping after Caramia. Stella watched her cousin and friend leave through the gate with great sadness. She too wished nothing but the best on their search for Kalliope.

Goodbye, Astro Gomez, she thought as she waved after her friends with her sister and her new Pokemon. Hopefully things will be different when I see you again.