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Alive's POV
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Alright, so now we're about halfway between Pallet Town and Viridian City, where we have decided to spend the night tomorrow unless we can get there today. Tracey and I have practically been talking to each other ever since we left so we can get to know each other better, and this is what I've gotten so far:

1) Tracey's last name is Sketchit.

2) He has 3 other Pokémon, a Venonat, a Marill, and a Scyther he caught when he was traveling with Ash.

3) He used to live in the Viridian Forest with his family, before they moved to the Orange Islands when he was 8. Tracey later became a Pokémon Watcher, and traveled around the islands before he tagged along with Ash and Misty.

4) When Ash came back home to Pallet Town after defeating the Orange Crew, Tracey decided to stay behind to help Professor Oak with his studies and to become his assistant.

5) And I've also learned that for the past year, he's been helping other trainers from around Kanto as well as doing favors for Prof. Oak.

"Hey Lively?" Tracey asked. "Why are you entering the Indigo League here in Kanto anyway? Are you going to be a Pokémon Master like Ash?"

"Nah, I'm entering because I want to show people how well I get along with Eve, and to prove that Eevees don't have to evolve to be strong." I replied. "You should see how well Eve and I get alone in battle." I chuckled. "I've known Eve for a very long time. I don't remember a day in my life when she wasn't by my side. She always makes me proud. Not only in her, but that I get the privilege to be there for her when she needs me." I proclaimed.

"Wow, that's...incredible!" Tracey exclaimed in undeniable awe, making me blush.

"I know, but other than that...I don't know what I'm really gonna on my Pokémon Journey." I shrugged. "I don't really have a good reason to be here other than to escape."

"Escape...?" He asked me, puzzled.

"Yeah...Let's just say that life at home has changed the way I've been thinking over the past year. I don't want to talk about it..." I trailed off, before an idea popped into my head.

"We should really battle sometime! Right Eve?"

"Eve! Eevee-Eve!" My companion cheered in response.

"That would be great! That way you can train your other Pokémon to get them prepared for the Gym Battles soon." Tracey soon replied.

"That's true, but aren't you going to enter?" I asked him hopefully, because I think that I knew why he wouldn't.

"Wwhat!? With millions of people watching? No thanks!" Tracey freaked. "Not by myself!"

"You wouldn't be by yourself. You have me!" I exclaimed, with a playful giggle.

"Yeah I know, but I'm scared of being alone in the spotlight! I would much rather compete in a double battle with a friend, than enter the Pokémon League. Even with my friends on the sidelines." Tracey explained, a whole lot calmer than before.

"That's okay, I understand. I didn't really expect you to enter it anyway. I just wanted to be sure." I said reassuringly. I paused a moment to think of what to say. "Luckily you're aren't in my shoes."

"Why is that?"

"My mother used to be a Pokémon Trainer when she was 12 years old and entered the Indigo League with my father. She won that year and became the youngest female trainer to win the Indigo League. My dad later traveled to other regions to compete in their leagues, although he still hasn't beaten my mom in a Pokémon Battle since the day they met!" I joked. "Anyway, so I'm sort of pressured to say the least. Everyones going to want to see me enter the Indigo League, and they're going to expect me to be this grand legend that has been hardcore training since birth or something. And I don't know if I'm ready for that sort of attention yet, let alone met their expectations." I explained, almost finding myself lost in anxiety before Tracey put his arm around my shoulders, which shocked me. No one has made me feel that feeling in ages. I don't know why, but a jolt of realization struck through me like a bunch of daggers.

"Don't worry yourself Lively. Of course it's going to be hard, but you need to be strong. I can't control your mother's fans, but I can help you train. I know that you'll pull through it Lively, you just have to trust me." He said quietly in an all too familiar gentle tone, as comforting as the breeze through the grass.

It's been so long since someone's made me feel that safe. Could it really be? All I know is that if it is him, I'm not going to let him go. Not this time.

I need a friend more than anything right now, and if it is him, it'll make things so much easier for me. To know for sure to know my life is back to the way it was. To the way it was five years ago, when we all were kids wanting to reach our dreams.

When I knew what friendship was, and what it meant...

That's a normal life I want to have again...but I don't want to be empty inside again.

Even if Tracey isn't that boy from five years ago, and we do become good friends...I know I won't let him leave me forever like he did. I hate goodbyes, especially when there won't be anymore hellos.

"Thank you Tracey, I'm glad that I get to be you're friend!" I exclaimed, giving him a quick, sideways hug before glancing at the faraway city lights. "Come on Tracey, if we hurry, we can make it to Viridian City before the Pokémon Center closes! Last one to get there's a Slowpoke in the mud!" I dashed away.

"Hey wait up!"

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Author's Note

Okay, I'm just going to flat out say that I need emotional support guys! Please comment and vote, cause all of my friends don't understand the importance this story is to me! I have this huge idea and I can't get over all of the things I have in store for you guys!! So I need to know what you all think I need to improve on!

Stick around for the next chapter! I promise that you won't be disappointed! Especially if you have read/are reading, "If The Pokemon Characters had Facebook" by Sylveon12!

Cause...you're going to need to.

(No, I didn't make the next chapter in calibration with Sylveon12, or know them personally in real life. But I'll try to dedicate the chapter to her if I can figure out how to do that.)

Thanks 4 listening!
Teari Howl't!
:P