Princess of Harmonia Chapter 10

Princess of Harmonia Chapter 10 - Growing Tensions



Rindiny: Sorry it took so long.

Touko: Yeah! Especially when people begged you for it! You're so mean!

Rindiny: At least I DID it! Not like other fan-fictions that I never finish!

Touko: Like I always say. Enjoy.

Rindiny: N is such an asshole. Hahaha.

Touko: Yes he is! Wait... No!

Rindiny: Shut up now!

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Touko was now headed toward Nimbasa City. To where she sought out to challenge Elesa, the "Shining Beauty". Whatever that meant, none of it mattered. She just wanted to defeat Elesa and continue training her Pokemon. Watt had evolved into a Dewott, looking absolutely outstanding! And Pato had not evolved yet. (Even though he's level 26) He still didn't feel like evolving, and when he knew it would happen, it would. She also had another addition to the team. With her, was a little Zorua, given to her by a girl. It was disguised as a child, but after Touko had pulled on his unusual tail, he had transformed back into a Pokemon. Much to Touko's shock. The little Zorua had found her interesting, and had joined her on the spot. She named the little fox, Todd. She was walking through, when suddenly, she spotted a little Blitzle up ahead, munching on grass. Touko was astonished. Out of all the Blitzle, it's coat was different! It was sort of blue-ish instead of black. She was so intrigued, that she sent out her Zorua, and had weakened it, before throwing a Ultra Ball finally catching it.

"Yes! We caught a Blitzle!" Touko exclaimed.

Zorua snickered, jumping on Touko's shoulder. Touko picked up the Ultra Ball and sent Blitzle out. It looked at her and frowned, it's fur building up static charge to attack.

"Oh! Calm down. It's OK!" Touko smiled. The Blitzle stopped frowning and stood there, confusion on his face. "Umm... Welcome to the team-! Bolt!"

Bolt now tilted his head, blinking, and then a smile grew on his face, jumping in glee and sending little sparks over to her feet playfully.

"Aahaha!" Touko said, petting it's warm head. "We're gonna be friends! Very good friends!" She took out her Poke Dex, and it read the information out loud.

'Blitzle, the Electrified Pokemon. Blitzle catches electricity and stores it in its mane, which glows when the electricity is discharged.' It read. (I got this entry from Ash's Poke Dex)

"Got it! I hope we get to know each other more! Even though I can't understand you. I try to understand my friends as best as I can. I'll do the same for you! We're gonna have a good time!" Touko exclaimed with glee. The Blitzle went on it's hind legs and jumped again. "Rest up for now though, I have a Gym Battle first thing in the morning!" He whined silently. "Huh? What is it-" Then she heard loud grumbling. "Oh! I'm sorry! You were eating when I caught you! When we get to the Pokemon Center, I'll give you some Pokemon Food. OK?" It sent out a 'Spark' in glee, and smiled. Touko returned him into the Ultra Ball and smiled. She now walked through the entrance of Nimbasa City. After she greeted the Woman at the counter, she walked ahead, now finally at Nimbasa City. There were two water fountains on each side. There was a small staircase with four steps, nothing she couldn't jump over. She bounced up the stairs and smiled, seeing everything so colorful. But then what caught her eyes immediately caused her to frown. There were two Team Plasma grunts. She had messed with them before. They had tried to steal this little girl's Pokemon! And even tried to steal Bianca's Munna! She was crying so much, she was lucky her cousin was there to comfort her at the least. She wouldn't stop crying! But her and Touya had dealt with the assholes that had made Bianca cry, and she was ever so glad. She had even kissed Touya on the cheek and gave Touko a BIIIIIIIIG hug! She didn't get away with it though, for Iris, the Gym Leader at Opelucid City; Whenever she saw Touya, she would tease him about it.

The Plasma dudes were in front of a bald man, who Touko didn't recognize, but had a bike with him.

"Gramps! We know you run the Day Care! How do we know? Because we're Team Plasma!" The male Plasma said.

"What a lame excuse.." Touko mumbled.

"We are taking Pokemon away from people. And since you work at the Day Care, we figure you must have a lot of Pokemon! Hand 'em over!" The female one said.

"What kind of nonsense is this!?" The Day-Care Man exclaimed, looking frightened. He turned over to look around, seeing Touko, he ran over to her with his Bike. "Oh! A strong-looking Trainer! Please help me!"

"If you're going to get in our way, we'll take your Pokemon, too!" The male Plasma said, and before he knew it. His ass was kicked.... By a girl.

"This went downhill fast! So I think... We'd better.... SCRAAAAAAM!! Let's hide out at the amusement park!" The female Plasma exclaimed. They ran away from Touko and into the Amusement Park. The Day-Care Man sighed in relief and turned to Touko.

"Thank you so much! Please take this as a token of my gratitude. It's a brand-new Bike. I'd always planned on riding around Nimbasa City... But I ended up never riding it." He said.

"Oh! Uum.. No thanks, mister. I'd rather go walking and running!" She said. "But if I need it, I'll come back for it some other time, just not now."

"Oh, very well, I have a Day Care on Route 3! I'll have the Bike there if you ever need it. And if you have any Pokemon you want me to raise, please drop them off! Well, I'll be off! Thank you!" He finally left. Touko was smiling so much she forgot about Team Plasma. She slapped a hand over her face, realization hitting her like a frying pan. She ran to the Amusement Park, looking at the Pokemon Center. She looked down at the Ultra Ball in her hand.

"Sorry Bolt. I hope you can wait just a little longer.." She said to him, she could see his little form, he was smiling sympathetically and nodded. Touko put her UltraBall, and looked around the Amusement Park. It was pretty big, the Ferris Wheel was humongous! Around there, she also found a lot of games and rides to ride. She shook her head, she had to find Team Plasma. She turned around, scratching her head, and blinking. She heard someone clearing their throat behind her, turned around, and squeaked in fright. Touko blushed angrily, crossing her arms. "What's your excuse now? N?"

He blinked, looking back into the Amusement Park, where all the people were busy having fun. Children jumping, wanting to get into the rides eagerly, many eating ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy. He smiled, lifting his hat a little bit, and crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm merely enjoying the sight seeing, darling. What brings you here?" Touko blushed at the word that he used, she hid herself under her hat. She could've sworn he purred when he said the word, 'Darling'. She felt herself shiver, and frown, remembering he was her Rival. Not the friendly rivals, like Bianca and Cheren. N was much different.

"Don't call me DARLING. Alright?" Touko growled. "You have no right to say that after the way you've been treating me."

"Oh. But Touko... I have come to realize that you are treating your friends kindly and with much affection-- I would've been force to take drastic measures on you if you abused Pokemon... However, since you don't, there is no need for me to see you as a threat any longer. I apologize for breaking your Poke Dex, and on behalf of my regret-- I shall help you." He said. "You're looking for Team Plasma, correct?" Touko nodded quickly, remembering what she was here for.

"Yeah! Have you seen them?" Touko exclaimed. "Please tell me you have--!"

"They ran into the Amusement park. Come with me." He said, going ahead, Touko was walking right behind him in pursuit. Touko looked around, following N. She was coming closer to the Ferris Wheel. She was getting nervous, she didn't know why. He stopped in front of the empty Ferris Wheel, and looked around, tilting his head in confusion. "Hmmm... They're not here. Let's ride the Ferris wheel and see if we can spot them."

"W-wha-wha-whaaaat!? Me? Ride on THAT huge thing!? No way!" She said.

"Oh come now, you're not afraid. Are you?" He said, leaning on the door to the amusement ride with his arms crossed.

"H-hey! D-D-don't get me wrong! I love Ferris Wheels! I-I just... Don't feel alright riding it with you!" She exclaimed, blushing. He raised an eyebrow, and blinked. "OK. OK. Never mind! Let's just get on before I lose Team Plasma!" She got inside first, and then N came inside, they both sat down, the doors closing on their own authority. It was slowly rising. Touko looked out the window, ignoring the fact the N was now sitting down, a foot resting on his knee and arms crossed; WATCHING her. He looked so serious, but innocent at the same time. She would've been friends with him, if he weren't so uptight and moody.

"I love Ferris wheels… The circular motion… The mechanics… They're like collections of elegant formulas." He said softly, trying to kill the silence. Touko looked over to him, as his eyes were closed, looking as if he was sleeping. Touko remembered something, she took out her Ultra Ball. She sent out Bolt, who was now next to her on her seat, looking around in confusion. N glanced up, and stared at the Zebra. Bolt stared at him for a long time, and looked at Touko, who pet him on the head, afterwards looking through her bag, taking out a bowl, placing it in front of the eager Blitzle.

"You're going to feed him?" N asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Touko replied with a snark in her tone of voice. N visible flinched slightly, and looked away slightly, a growing frown on his face. Touko's face soften a little bit, feeling guilty.

"I'm sorry. It's just you've been so rude to me, I feel like I have to defend myself. I don't mean being... mean. I just hate people who jump to conclusions about things and then get angry with ME about it; When there are obviously millions of people in this world doing the same thing. Like... using the Poke Dex.." N looked up at the mention of the information collector.

She took out a bag of Pokemon food and emptied some on his bowl. He wagged his small tail, sending little sparks again. Touko put the food away, and smiled down at Bolt. He looked up at her and began eating his food hungrily. "It's a Shiny Blitzle."

"A what?" Touko said.

"A shiny Blitzle." He said. Touko shook her head, looking at Bolt. He DID look different. Touko looked up at him, and they stared at each other for a long time. Then she glanced further down, seeing his necklace. It was sort of strange.

"I noticed that thing hanging around you waist for some time now. What is it?" Touko pointed over to his pants, he looked down and back up.

"....Um... Pants..." He said slowly.

"No! I know what you're wearing!" Touko said, flapping her hands. "I mean, that cubey Rubik's thinga-majigie! What is it exactly? A Rubik's cube?"

"That's a Menger Sponge." He spoke, removing it from his belt and holding it in his hand.

"Aren't sponges supposed to be.. well... Spongey?" Touko asked, looking rather confused. And for the first time she's met him. He laughed, not a phony laugh. But a sincere laugh.

"No, it looks like a Rubik's cube, but I assure you, it is not. In mathematics, the Menger sponge is a fractal curve... In which that it has a topological dimensional curve, and any other curve is homeomorphic to some subset of it..." He explained. Touko was lost.

"What? Speak English! Please! More simpler words if you don't mind?"

"It cannot get simpler that that. It is rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts." He said, bouncing it in his hand.

"Can I borrow it for a second?" Touko said. He had a look of hesitation, but went to put it back around his belt. "Aw, don't be like that."

"I apologize, but I cannot lend this to you." He said.

"I'm not gonna break it..." Touko mumbled, hugging her knees close to her chest and frowning. There was a silence in the ride. N rolled his eyes and sighed in defeat. He held the Menger Sponge out to her, and she beamed. She leaned over and grabbed it, holding it like it was gold. "Wow. I've never seen any of these before! I wonder if it's turnable-" She tried to turn it like a Rubik's cube, but N stopped her right there.

"No! Don't turn it!" He yelled. "I've told you before! It's not a Rubik's cube!"

"But it looked turn-able..." Touko said, she huffed, frowning at the small device. "What the heck does this even do? I don't find any usefulness in this! This is no fun."

"Touko, give it to me." He said, holding his hand out. Touko pouted, giving it back to him and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Boring piece of junk." Touko said out loud, this apparently, had offended N.

"It's not BORING. It's simply too complicated for you to understand." He replied snottily, before chaining it back to his belt.

"What's THAT supposed to mean!?" She was getting angry. Bolt was done minutes ago, and was watching as both were getting agitated. Bolt used his hoof to scratch at Touko's pants.

"Neee?" He was asking a question, tilting his head.

"It's OK, Bolt. He's not bothering me." Touko said, taking his bowl and putting it back in his bag. Bolt leaned forward to her waist, to her set of Poke Balls, and pressed one of them. And the Ball opened to reveal Todd on Touko's lap.

"Zooo?" Todd said, sitting down on Touko. "Niee!" N seemed to have a shocked look on his face, right after seeing the Zorua.

"You have a Zorua?" N asked, sounding surprised and shocked. Touko sweat-dropped, Bolt had pressed the wrong button.... He sent a spark to her leg, making her jump a little bit.

"Neee!" Bolt exclaimed, pointing at the ball.

"You wanna go back inside?" Touko asked, Bolt nodded, and she fulfilled his wishes, she returned him back into his UltraBall. N flinched when she did so.

"How can Pokemon enjoy being inside Poke Balls? It must be dark and cold in there..." N said.

"Oh come on. You haven't been in a Poke Ball, so stop saying those things! I didn't command Bolt to go back into his Poke Ball. He did so on his own, because he likes it in there. You like being inside your Poke Ball too, right Todd?"

'Yeah! It's really cozy and warm inside! It gets annoying walking around! One size fits all! Heeheeheehee!' He snickered, nodding happily, agreeing with Touko.

"I have never seen Pokemon so happy-" N said, suddenly, the ride moved, coming to a halt. Touko looked down the window, and noticed there was a jam in the system.

"No! It can't be jammed! Of all the people I had to be stuck with it was you!" Touko exclaimed, pulling on her hair, she glanced at N, seeing him raise an eyebrow at her. "Uhh, I mean.. Yeah. We're stuck up here.... Together.." She was now laying comfortably on her side of the cart. Zorua lay down on her stomach as she looked down at her watch.

N watched Zorua as he was happily on Touko. He looked down at the device on his necklace, hearing something.

".... Bzzzzt.... Bzzzt...L.. Lo......Lord N! Are you safe!?" It was coming from the device that was lingering around his neck, and it was whispering. Touko looked over, hearing someone talking but shrugged. He lifted the ball around his neck up to his mouth, quietly.

"This is Lord N speaking. There's no problem. Go, quickly, and let this cover your retreat." He whispered back before turning it off. Touko was confused as she glanced at N. He knew she was staring and answered her before she even asked. "This is a communicator device, I was speaking to some comrades..."

"Hey, N...." Touko called.

"Yes, Touko?"

"Why do you care about Pokemon so much?" She said, playing with the fur on Zorua's face. N tightened his grip on his arms, he looked away from her.

"I've lived with Pokemon for most of my life." He simply said. Touko was surprised at his answer, and she actually knew the reason. "Do you not care for Pokemon?"

"Don't get me wrong! I love Pokemon as much as you do. But, it's like.... you relate to them more or something..." Touko said, "It's like.... you're more comfortable to be around Pokemon....than you are with humans..."

He looked at her with another surprised look on his face.

"I'm not as stupid as you think." She said, using the same words he had used on her before. He looked at her for a while more and then chuckled silently to himself, shaking his head.

"Sometimes, you amaze me." He replied. Touko stuck her tongue out playfully and scratched her head.

"I have a question then... If you're more comfortable being around Pokemon... Why is it OK to you... for us to be in the same Ferris wheel, having this conversation right now?" Touko said.

"You and I both are affectionate to Pokemon, is that not reason enough?" N replied.

"Seems to me it's more than that." Touko countered. "Any other reasons?" N went silent, not really knowing why he was more comfortable with her than with other humans. He finally shrugged, shaking his head.

"I don't really know the reason... But it seems like.. We've known each other for a long time..." N mumbled. Touko shrugged, then gasped, frantically looking out the window.

"Oh no! Team Plasma is gonna get away!" Touko said. "Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no-! Noooooo!" Pulling her hair, she turned to look at N. "N, do you have any flying Pokemon?"

"Not that I know of.." He said. "Why don't you have Pato help you?"

"Because, I don't wanna get him tired! Then how are you gonna get down? Oh noooo... They might be running away with smirks on their faces and saying- 'Hahaaa. We got away from that stupid little girl that defeated us earlier when we tried to steal those Pokemon from that Day-Care man!' Oh no! Oh no! I'm freaking out man! I'm freaking out!!!" She paced around like a headless Combusken around the ride. N merely watched in his seat. "I'm gonna lose them! I'm gonna lose them! I knew I shouldn't have gone on this ride! I knew it!" Suddenly it began moving again, and Touko stumbled next to N. Almost as if the Ferris wheel ride was telling her to just shut up and sit down. Touko fixed her hat, sitting up straight and looking at N to her left. Then she looked out the window. "Come on Ferris Wheel! Faster! Fasterrr!"

"You yelling in my ear isn't going to make this ride go any faster." N said shaking his head in disapproval. Touko glared at him, and looked back outside. Todd jumped from the other side and on Touko's back, looking from her shoulder for Team Plasma. She jumped eagerly in her seat, not wanting to wait a second.

"I can't believe I forgot all about them." Touko said, sinking back into her seat slowing. "What the hell is wrong with me?"

"That's why we entered the ride in the first place-"

"And you didn't remind me I was digressing and doing something OTHER than looking! Those creeps were asking for it when they battled me! I wanted to send their asses to jail for even assaulting and harassing an old man!" Touko yelled. "Wait till I get outta here, I'm going to toughen up my friends to challenge the gym leader and THEN go and get their asses in jail."

"I'm afraid you won't be doing that." N said darkly.

"Huh?"

"...I can't let you send them to jail..." N replied. "It is only natural that I protect the people who are aiding me..."

"Aiding you in what? What are you talking about?"

"... You see.... I am the king.... of Team Plasma..." Silence just hung there like a Woobat on a tree. Her eyes widened, she got up from her seat, looking down at him. "Ghetsis asked me to work with him to save Pokemon.... I do wonder... how many Pokemon live in this world."

"You're... their king...? But..-" Touko started.

"Do you not understand why I brought you here? It wasn't to help you look for Team Plasma, it was to cover their retreat." He said, finally standing up. Touko's left eye twitched, she began hyperventilating slightly, making the most angriest frown in the world.

"You.... You tricked me..." Touko growled, tightening her hands into fists in anger. "You jerk!" She yelled, holding her hands over him like they were claws and baring her teeth. She held back, looking out the window, seeing as the ride was coming to an end. She didn't wait, she opened the doors and jumped off, landing on her feet. It wasn't that high up in the air anyway. She was going to run off and follow them, but suddenly the Gurrdurr from before stopped her in her tracks with it's Steel Beam. N had jumped off as well and was now in front of her. She was trying to get past him, but he kept side-stepping her.

"Out of my WAY!" Touko yelled. "You- You..." She didn't know what to say, she was extremely angry with him. "How COULD you!? I should've known! I NEVER should have trusted you!!" N held a blank stare.

"Do you follow my logic?" He asked. "Do you understand why I am a part of that group?"

"Perfectly well! You asshole!" Touko said.

"If true.... your words please me.... Ah. Then... The future I envision... Where Pokemon are liberated at last.... But for that future..." He stepped closer to her, their faces coming very close. She had a glare on her face, he had a glare of his own. "I'll defeat the Champion and become unbeatable, unlike any other! I'll make all Trainers free their Pokemon! Just try and stop me! If you want to be together with Pokemon, your only hope is to collect the Badges from each area and head for the Pokemon League! Try and stop me there, if you dare! If your conviction is not strong enough, you will never be able to defeat me." And with that. He left with his Gurrdurr, who growled at her. She just stood their, a tear sliding on her cheek as he left..... She wiped them away, setting out for the Pokemon Center. She was sitting at the lobby chairs, all her Pokemon eating, Bolt rubbing his head against her leg. She shed a few tears from her eyes, wiping them away again. Why did he have to be so cruel to her? He tricked her... She felt so betrayed... She was in a rented room in the Pokemon Center, she was now on her bed, all her Pokemon curled around her in her sleep. She looked out the window, and at the Ferris Wheel which was glowing in the night. She sighed, scratching her head, and thinking about N.

'Why..? Why would he do something like that? I can't believe I had started to trust him! He's my enemy! But... I can't help but feeling betrayed for some reason...' She thought, then shook her head in reality. 'No. If I keep my mind on him I'll just be distracted with the gym battle! I have to stop thinking about it... I can't get the ride out of my head!' She fell asleep with that last thought.

It was morning. Pato was chirping in her ear, waking her up like Touko told him to do. "Pato." Touko said, sitting up on her bed. "Thanks." She got off of her bed, going to the bathroom and washing up.

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She was so distracted. She couldn't stop thinking about N's words. "Why am I so scared?" She said. "Maybe I should walk around...." She walked around the place.

"Hey! Touko! Yoo-hoo!" Someone called. Touko turned around to see Bianca and Touya coming her way. Bianca skipped over to Touko. "The Professor told us Nimbasa City has a lot of things to see and do-- the amusement park, Big Stadium, Small Court, and the Battle Subway! We're going to the Pokemon Musical, wanna come?"

"Oh, yeah! I need to get my mind off of some things." Touko agreed. "Wait... Touya agreed to this?"

"Yeah. She says I have to come or she's going to drag me by my hair." He grumbled.

"Heehee! You got that right!" Bianca giggled.

"And we all know Touya would have followed you anyway." Touko smirked. Her cousin scoffed and crossed his arms.

"Let's just go already!" He said looking away from them. They all walked to the Musical and entered the colorful building.

"A. Mazing. Isn't it?!" Bianca exclaimed. Suddenly, a man in a suit appeared in front of them, all formal and dressed.

"Hello, you three! How do you do?" He said politely. "I'm the owner of this theater. Pleasure to meet you! Ooh! I must say that you three seem like phenomenal Trainers! What do we do here? We us Props to make your Pokemon fashionable and glamorous! Do you want to join in and play Dress Up? Here's a Prop Case to get the three of you started!" He handed all three of them a Prop Case. Touko and Bianca squealed, but Touya glanced at it like a virus.

"It's pink." Touya said.

"Oh, my apologies, but we only have the Prop Case in the color pink. I do apologize." He said.

"Oh goody." Touya rolled his eyes. Looking at Bianca who was laughing at him. "I should've ditched you when I had the chance..."

"You wouldn't ditch moi!" Bianca said. "I mean..This is all I can say! You wouldn't ditch your BESTEST friend in this entire WOOOOOOOOORLD~!"

"Not to mention that he just ADORES you! He's not the sweetest person in the world, but even HE wouldn't have the heart to be able to do that." Touko grinned. Touya blushed deeply, sending daggers over to his cousin.

"Awwwww! That's so sweeeet Touya!" Bianca giggled.

"As I was saying- This Prop Case lets you store Props for decorating your Pokemon! If you wish to know more, talk to the receptionist and she will explain everything. Let us say a brief farewell. I eagerly anticipate seeing you all on stage!" After saying that, the owner walked away, leaving them to ponder.

"Oh, I don't know what to do!" Bianca said.

"Doing the musical would be totally cool, but there's stuff I gotta do." Touko said.

"OK. That's it!" Touya said, putting away the prop case in his bag and beginning to walk out. "I'm going to see the sights in Nimbasa! Catch you girls later."

"What happened to you adoring meee? Heeeey! Touyaaaaa." Bianca whined, both Bianca and Touko following after him. When they walked out, they saw Touya stop next to the sign, apparently frozen like a Deerling. "What's up Touya? Why are you-" She stopped and gasped, dropping her Prop Case. Touko was equally surprised. Standing right in front of them, was Bianca's Father. Steven.

"D-D-Daddy!? W-w-what are you doing here?" Bianca stuttered. Touko picked up Bianca's Prop Case and put away her own without taking her eyes off Steven.

"I've come to take you back home, young lady!" He said, his arms were crossed in a stern manner. He didn't look very happy. "When you mother told me that you'd made it all the way out here, I was furious and disappointed in you, Bianca!"

"But-" Bianca started.

"Haven't you gone far enough?" Steven said. "Your mother and me have been worried sick!"

"No way!" Bianca exclaimed, going behind Touya and holding onto his arm. "I'm going to keep traveling with Touya and my Pokemon!"

"Absolutely not!" He yelled, taking a step forward while Touya took a step back, a glare on his face. "Others do things their way, and we do things ours!"

"Really? Then, how about you do things your way, and I'll do things mine!" Bianca said bravely.

"No. You are coming straight home! Don't disobey me Bianca- Or-"

"Or what?" Touya growled.

"Touya!" Touko whispered.

"There are many people in this world whose way of thinking is completely different from yours. Sometimes, it means you can get hurt." Touya said.

"And you are exactly right! It's because I'm worried about that..." Steven trailed off.

"But it's important to know other people's way of thinking. It lets you see things differently that you never thought of before." Touya said, his anger disappearing.

"Being different is OK." Touko smiled. "And you shouldn't worry about that."

"We have Pokemon by our side that we can depend on. To be our friends." Touya said. "I know there's gonna be painful stuff like you're worrying about. There's tons of nice people out there. And because Bianca has been traveling with Pokemon, I can tell she's gotten tougher." Bianca looked at Touya with a big smile on her face, something that Steven has never seen before.

He looked to the ground, and thought about it, frowning afterwards. "Please, sir. Even though I look scrawny, I'm tough too. And no matter what, I'd do anything to protect Bianca. Even if it means giving up on my adventure too, if she can't travel with me..."

"....Hmm.. I guess. If wanting to continue your journey is selfishness on your part, wanting to stop you is selfishness on mine." He said. "I'm surprised to find I'm the one being childish-- at my age! Bianca, what your friend has helped me realize something. I'm sure it's better that you take the path you want to take now, learning new things, but also becoming stronger on the inside. I hope that your journey will be fun, but be sure to be cautious to who you're meeting. If you ever decide to come home, we'll welcome you with open arms. Be sure to call once in a while, just to make sure you're all right. Well, bon voyage.." He said his good-byes, but stopped, his back to them.

"And Touya?" Steven said. "Protect my little girl."

Touya smiled, and nodded. "I promise."

"Thank you." He finally said, before leaving at last. Bianca exhaled rapidly, covering her mouth with her hand. She was so happy, she started to cry. Touko and Touya both turned to her and smiled.

"You did it Touya!" Touko exclaimed. "You convinced him! Bianca! You can still travel!"

"I can't believe it.." Bianca said, covering her eyes from crying. "He.. He actually let me! I was so scared he would take me back!" Touya and Touko both hugged her at the same time. "Thank you so much for standing up for me!"

"Hey. It was no problem." Touya said, a hint of a smile on his face. Touko smirked at him as they both hugged Bianca.

"Oh, here, Bianca." Touko smiled, handing her her Prop Case. Bianca smiled back, taking it and putting it away.

"Thank you." Bianca said, wiping away her tears and taking deep breaths. "I'm OK now." Touya pulled away from her and smiled. "I'm so lucky to have such good friends."

"Hey. You know you always have us!" Touko said. "Right?"

"Right! Well...Come ON Touya! Let's go already!" Bianca said, taking his hand and pulling him. "Well! See yah later Touko! And good luck with the gym challenge!"

"Thanks BB! I need it! See you love birds later!" Touko said.

"We're not-" Touya started.

"Be quiet...!... HILBERT!" Bianca taunted.

"Hey! You know how much I hate my real name!" Touya exclaimed.

"It's OK Hibbie! You don't have to like it for me to use it!" Bianca said.

"Haah!" Touko said, and they were gone. Touko smiled, afterwards sighing, her sad look returning to her face. She walked along the streets, slumping slightly. Feeling depressed. She frowned, a look of anger on her face. 'When I see that bastard again- I'm going to-- No.. no.. violence is not the answer... I have to calm down... If I see him again- I won't trust him anymore- That's it!'


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Rindiny: I'll say this once, and once only.... WTF!

Touko: STUPID! YOU WROTE THE STORY! NOT ME!

Rindiny: Oh... right... Hahaha! I totally forgot. Well you desperate readers... You read your story!