It takes about an hour before the others catch up with me. We've boarded a Lapras that is taking us across the short waterway. Jasper is raving about his victory against Peridot.

"Oh come on Jazz," Peridot says while adjusting his backpack. He has another one that he's holding in his lap. I assume it is Malicai's. "I don't even want to be a battler even I grow up."

"Yeah, I know," Jasper responds. "But still, it's like you don't know anything about being in battles."

"What do you want to be Peridot," I ask him curiously.

"Oh," he turns with a bright smile on his face. He's been smiling a lot more since Jasper was released from the hospital. "I want to be a Pokémon breeder." That seems like something he would want to be.

The Lapras arrives on the other side. We dismount but continue our conversation.

"What do you want to be Jasper," Peridot asks. "You never told me."

"It 'cuz I don't know if it's something that's a job or not. I want to catch ever Pokémon ever. Even Legendary ones."

"That's a big dream you got there," Russet says. "I'm sure you can do, though."

"Of course I can," Jasper says cockily. "Then I'm going to have one of each species of Pokémon."

"Oh, so you want a living Pokédex," Cerise asks. Jasper nods. "That sounds difficult, but like Russ said. You can do it. " She turns to me, sweeping a platinum blonde strand of hair from her face. "What about you Sienna? What do you want to be."

Hmm. What do I want to be? "I don't know," I answer truthfully. "I've never really thought about it ." That's also very true. I've always thought I'd never get a job, what with everyone under the impression that I am insane. During the trial, the prosecuting attorney did ask me had I ever wanted to be an actress. He said I was a good one. Maybe I'll pursue a career in the entertainment industry. I heard it's really starting to pick up, especially in Unova. Perhaps I'll go there. Averie could be in it too. She is very adorable.

It takes about 30 minutes before we reach Couramine City. We take the monorail up to the north side of town, skipping the hotel and getting a room at the Pokémon Center. Cerise says it's because the center is closer to the gym and closer to the route for the next town.

"Hurry up guys," Cerise calls into Jasper and Peridot's room. She wants to challenge Ramos now. I've met the man before. He's very eccentric but kind all the same..

"Just a minute," Peridot answers. "We're checking the news." Oh yeah, they're still looking for Malicai.

I can honestly say I don't feel a bit of guilt. That doesn't make me a bad person, does it? No...right? Don't get me wrong, I want to tell them. I really do. But I'm afraid. If I tell them, I'll get arrested. Not only that, but they'll send me back to Lumiose, with those people who treat me like I'm worthless. Or even worse. They'll send me to that man, in that horrible town. I can't go with him. I just can't. If I am sent to him, I'm afraid well all learn what it really means to be unstable.

Peridot sighs sadly, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Still no sign," Cerise asks, though it almost comes as a statement. Peridot didn't respond. Instead he just stares at the ground. Cerise friends. "Perry? Pe~rry?"

"Perry," Jasper calls. Peridot still doesn't respond. "Earth to Perry! Peridot! PERIDOT OLIVINE!"

"Huh? What," Peridot says when he snaps back to reality. "Oh I'm sorry." His eyes are rimmed red with unshed tears.

"Don't be such a pessimist," Cerise says softly.

"A what," Peridot asks.

"Somebody who expects the worst. Don't worry. They'll find him just fine. Now let's go! This gym closes at six!"

"Peridot smiles. "Okay. I'm ready." He and Jasper come over to us. We go down the hall to where Russet is waiting and make our way to the gym.

Cerise frowns upon entering the gym. Like the gym in Cyllage, you have to climb to the battlefield. Unlike Cyllage, there isn't another option for spectators. Jasper and Peridot pale at this.

"How about we sit this one out Cerise," Jasper offers.

"Oh come on Jazz," Cerise says. "Be a man! It shouldn't be that hard." Jasper and Peridot moan but follow Cerise and Russet to the first rope. I follow too, but only because I want to see Ramos. It's been quite a while since I have.

Climbing and swinging on the ropes is very easy for me. As a little girl, I loved playing in this gym. Ramos always let his grass types out when I visited and I would run around climbing, swinging, jumping, falling. It was one of the few happy times I had.

I have taken the lead, Averie sitting safely on my shoulder. Even after all these years, the gym is still the same. Peridot swings across the last rope and collapses on the ground with the others, breathing heavily all the while.

"Please tell me we don't have to climb down," Russet moans.

"No," I say helping up Cerise. "There should be a slide here."

"Oh thank Xerneas," he celebrates. Russet pulls himself to his feet and helps up his little brother who helps up Peridot.

"Okay," Cerise says finally. She's been leaning against a wall while trying to steady her breathing. "Let's go."

We walk around the corner and see Ramos sitting at his large desk drawing designs for new additions to his garden. His oversized gardening scissors hangs at his side. A Gogoat stands not far from him. That one isn't the one he's had for as long as his scissors. That's the one from my childhood. The one I'd named Gijit. I recognize him by the leaves around his neck. They were always a lighter green than normal. Gijit looks up and cries before running over to me. Startled, Averie jumps from my shoulder.

"Hey Gijit," I say bending down to pet the grass type. "How are you? I haven't seen you in so long."

"Sienna," a quiet masculine voice asks. "Sienna, is that yeh over there?" I look up to see Ramos looking my way.

"Yes sir," I say. "It's nice to see you again."

He looks quizzically at me. "Yeh too, sprout. Yeh've grown up so much. Ain't yeh supposed to be in Lumiose City, though?" He says it warily. With good reason. "Or was it with yer aunt?"

"I had been staying with my aunt for the past few months. I decided to start a journey. I wanted to see the world up close." That's not a lie. I don't think I could ever lie to Ramos.

"Well, that's good. I'm glad they're lettin' yeh out, sprout. It's a good experience, travelin' the world. It'll help yeh some kid." He pauses. "So are yeh here for a battle, or is it one of yer friends here?" I point back to Cerise who waves shyly.

"Yeh look like a fine trainer, whippersnapper," Ramos says. "Hope yeh battle just as fine. Gijit, come on over here. It's time for a battle." I smile at knowing Ramos still call Gijit by that nickname. Gijit nuzzles me once more before going over to Ramos.

The battle was a good one for both sides. Sienna uses Niays, her Fletchinder Silex, and a Pokémon I didn't know she had. Well, I supposed someone might have mentioned it before: an Axew named Viz. Viz isn't very strong and is defeated by Ramos's Jumpluff easily, but it still put up a good fight.

In the end, Cerise wins, though she struggled against Gijit, which I was pretty happy about.

Ramos smiles affably. "That was a good battle, whippersnapper. Yeh've earned this Plant Badge." He hands her the green and gold leaf shaped ornament. I have one too. An honorary badge.

"Yeh're her coach, right," Ramos asks Russet. "Yeh're a good one. Yeah, yeh are. I reckon it might seem a li'l rough right about now, for the both of yeh but remember, mighty oaks from acorns grow. Go on, then. There's a slide over yonder. Yeh can take it down nice and easy."

"Yes sir," Russet and Cerise say in unison. "Thank you." We begin to walk away when Ramos talks again.

"Sienna, do yeh mind staying here? I'd like to talk to yeh for a bit."

"Oh sure," I say. "I'll catch up with you guys later." The four other children nod and start back walking. I turn back to Ramos who now has a deadly serious look on his face.

Looks like I have a lot of explaining to do. Hmm...I've never been more happy to be such a good actor.