The sky had turned dusky-gold before Edward returned. Adriano hadn’t moved, content with relaxing along with his pokemon. Tor had situated himself in the middle of the plaza, acting as a public playground for a variety of different Pokemon throughout the day. Ella had been playing too, but now she was sleeping quietly leaning on Tor’s neck. Audino had come out for a while too, not to play but to bustle about checking on everyone and acting as the playground monitor. Eventually, she tired of nagging too and returned to her ball.

Adriano was just about to send someone in to check on Edward when the door opened and he stepped out. Looking around, he noticed Adriano sitting there and plopped down next to him with a sigh. Remaining quiet, Edward started talking on his own.

“Purrloin turned out alright. Without the pokeball, the nurse couldn’t use the healing machines. Fortunately, I had enough money on hand for a few potions.”

Adriano remained silent.

“She was untagged, and was beaten up pretty badly before our battle.”

“Not all trainers take good care of their Pokemon Edward. Some trainers don’t see Pokemon as partners, but tools or servants.”

Edward clenched his fists and lowered his head. Adriano could see his shoulders shaking slightly, and he noticed tears welling in the corners of his eyes. Pressing on, Adriano continued talking.

“Trainers can be cruel. Crueler than most people. Abandonment, abuse, forcing them beyond their limits. I told you before, the road to the top is coveted by everyone, not just the kind-hearted.”

“But still!”

Edward erupted.

“Those kinds of trainers should be ashamed of themselves! I’ll never lose to someone who treats Pokemon like that!”

Adriano stood up and dusted off his shorts. Fortunately, it was still deep enough into summer for the nights to be warm. Pulling out his pokeballs, he recalled Tor and Ella before shoving his hands in his pockets and walking away. Looking over his shoulder, he called to Edward.

“Try and get some sleep tonight. I’ll see you back here tomorrow morning.”

Edward mumbled an agreement as Adriano disappeared through the gate.

-

Running his hands over the gnarled bark of a particularly large tree brought back memories. Adriano stood there for a moment, glancing around, before poking around with his fingers. Catching a nail on a slightly upraised section, he gripped it and pulled. The bark came away in a rectangle, revealing a small space behind it. Behind the bark layer was a hollow space, barely large enough to stand up in and furnished with a single lonely cot, the rope fibers making up the mesh frayed and stained. Adriano poked his head in and glanced around, reaching his hand up to check the ledge above the hidden door. Finding nothing but a few shriveled berries and a single tarnished bronze coin. Hanging his satchel on a portruding hook, he eased himself down onto the bed, careful not to break anything.

Laying his head down facing the doorway, he watched the stars through the small gap at the top of the ajar door. Curling up, he watched the familiar twinkle, unchanging throughout the many years he had used this hideout. After the first year, money had grown tight. Hotel stays became out of the question, and he was forced to set up camp wherever he could find it. Apparently some trainers enjoyed camping out, but until he left Catstelia city he had never had the opportunity. Shivering slightly despite the warm summer air, he curled tighter and hugged his knees to his chest.

Being back in Unova felt… wrong. He had left with so many promises of never returning, it was childish really. But still, he couldn’t relax. Squeezing his eyes tight to block out the stars shine, Adriano thought about his parents. He had left in such a storm two years ago. Remembeing what he had said that night and his parent’s faces, his mother’s disappointment and his father’s stoic acceptance at the names he called them.

Rolling over, Adriano felt a strand pop beneath his back and stilled himself. Covering his face with an arm, he felt his pulse in his ears. Regardless of what he had said, he was back. And leading another naïve kid down the same path he had taken. Cracking a wry smile at the events that had led to his situation, he drifted off to sleep with a shaky heart.

-

Breakfast was a deceptively upbeat experience. Having lost the majority of his supplies in the storm, Adriano was stuck with only what he had carried so far. Glancing at Tor and Ella’s Pokeballs, he decided to let them sleep for a little while longer. Picking apart the Basculin jerky, he was sitting with his back against the tree. Audino had joined him for the meal, and sensing his emotions had decided to just snuggle quietly next to him, snacking on berries of her own. Checking the time on his old pokedex, Adriano finally mustered the resolve to stand up and put away the food he was half-heartedly chewing on.

Springing up next to him, Audino checked somewhat obsessively that they had packed away everything before helping Adriano pound in the corners of the fake door until it was hidden again. Setting off for town, the duo soon spotted the energetic kid kicking rocks by the bench they had parted ways at yesterday. Edward looked up and, spotting Adriano, called out enthusiastically.

“Morning!”

“Morning. Ready to get going?”

Edward’s eyes sparkled.

“So you are coming with me? Awesome! Nothing can stop us now!”

Adriano brushed aside his praises.

“I’ll just be coming along until you can handle yourself. Seeing how you battle, you’d be lucky to reach the first gym.”

Edward put up with his teasing for a while before giving Adriano a friendly shove. Chatting, they started heading for the north gate and the start of their journey together.