This idea was repolished and greatly improved after the last co-author crumbled it like an aluminum can. You know who you are...

Author's Note: The idea of making a pokèmon fan fiction had been collecting dust in my Flashdrive, as well as Gema J. Gall's laptop. Once these files were rediscovered, the idea demons danced. They danced like it was New Years'. Rising from the ashes of a fiction that hadn't even taken off for a first chapter comes drum roll ...Hoenn Epic: The Legacy of Aeon. Featuring the original characters of Courageous Dragon Knight. Happy Readings!

The salty air of the sea breezed gracefully along the small boat's open bow. Waves slid past the hull as the boat glided across the open sea. Fortunately, no one aboard was seasick. Aboard was its captain, an elderly man who refused to give up his sea legs, a Wingull, most likely his sea faring partner, and a boy just in the middle of his teens. His platinum blonde bangs over his headband whipped in the wind and his green eyes watched as the horizon of ocean raced by. He could almost fall asleep while being caressed by the atmosphere, he was just disappointed in one thing when he took this boat: there wasn't a DVD player, let alone a TV and the batteries in his portable were just about dead.

Just as his eyelids grew heavy for the umpteenth, the boat felt like it jumped out of the water. He grasped onto the bow's railing and snapped a look towards the captain. The captain had a hearty chuckle, "Sorry lad, I guess I should have mentioned there's a lot a wakes. It means we're getting close." His partnering Wingull cheered in its catch phrase.

The passenger sighed as he could just make out the new piece of land over the eastern horizon. "That's good news. Thanks again for letting me borrow the boat, Captain Briney."

"Think nothing of it. I was on my way back anyway, seemed the least I could do for the famous Knight family." Captain Briney acknowledged before his smile faded, "You do have my wishes of luck in your mission."

The passenger nodded and the boat began to slow down as the dock became visible. Soon the boat drifted into place on the dock and Briney and his passenger secured the boat into place. After finishing the knot tying, Briney looked up to the young man sporting a rather casual outfit of denim blue jeans, red T-shirt, and a pine green vest with a single pokèball over the left pocket on his belt. His backpack was pretty thick and heavy for his relatively skinny stature. Briney's white mustache wiggled over his lips, "Your destination is Rustboro City from here, correct?"

The passenger looked back at him in response, "Well yeah, that's where my parents told me to head first."

"Then I'll lend you in on a secret. There is a shoreline trail that goes around Petalburg Forest during low tide, it may take you twice as long as going through the forest but if you're not interested in catching pokèmon, it's the best route." He said and pointed to the sand strip towards north that was only seven feet between the ocean waves and the rocky slope.

"Much obliged Captain." The trainer smiled before heading off the dock.

"Safe journey and good luck! Make sure you give your folks a call when you reach the pokèmon center!" Briney bid his farewell; his Wingull fluttering above the boat, cheering its name. When he saw they trainer reached the beach trail. Briney's smile fainted under his mustache. "Hope that boy will be all right on his own. It's dangerous to travel solo in these parts. Don't you agree Peeko?"

His Wingull drifted onto the dock, its cheerful demeanor gone with his trainer's. "Wingull…"

The trainer watched his step, careful not to get his ankles deep in water or stepping on a Krabby "Maybe I should spend tonight at the pokèmon center…it is getting pretty late. That trip with Briney chewed up a good four hours." He mumbled as the sun reached its highest peak in the clear sky. The trainer trekked on the sandy path, every so often breaking open a small box of popcorn to snack on.

Eventually the dense forest over the rock wall thinned out. He looked as it seemed the forest was clear and the end of the path leading to land again. The trainer tucked away his popcorn and took a deep breath; the path back up to land was an extremely steep one, almost a climb. And his backpack was crammed pack with his supplies, weighing down on his spine.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally took to the path on all fours, driving his feet into the ground to keep him from sliding and his hands on the rock wall to the right of him to keep him from falling back. In about five minutes, he felt the grass in his hands, he had made it to land. While he rested he looked ahead, it was a large city with towering buildings of the grayish color. "That must be Rustboro. All right…first head to the center and contact my folks, then find the police station to see how they're doing. …Then I can finally watch my movies." He dreamed with satisfaction, it felt real because he had just been eating popcorn on his walk.

The trainer pulled himself together and roamed into town. He hardly drew attention because many of the pokèmon trainers traveled through, mainly because it had a pokèmon gym. The trainer browsed around, first tapping someone on the shoulder. "Excuse me? Where's the pokèmon center here?"

The passerby answered, "You should see it on your left in the next block. Can't miss it."

"Thanks," the trainer answered and hurried towards his destination. Just take a rental room in the center and I'm set for tonight. He thought with a wide smile on his face. The pokèmon center just seemed to jump out with its big white dome. "Yes! They just gotta have some rooms open!" The trainer cheered and dashed towards the glass doors. They slid open automatically just as he got in the sensor's range. The lobby was just like any other; Plenty of windows to let in sunlight with waiting benches, and the main desk with the doors to the back to either side of it. A section off to the left had several video phones and a pokèball transfer device. There were several trainers on the benches waiting for their pokèmon.

At the desk was a nurse just like every, and any, other. She had light red hair tied back into hair loops under her white nurse cap, and welcoming blue eyes. "Welcome to the Rustboro pokèmon center." She greeted.

The trainer slowed down to at least catch a quick breath, "Thank you Nurse Joy. Do you have any rooms open?" He asked while trying not to pant.

"Of course." She answered and took a room key from under her desk. She handed it to a big pink egg-shaped pokèmon known for its desire to be helpful, in fact it's almost a custom to have these pokèmon in any pokèmon center.

"Chansey!" It cheered in a high voice. "Chansey, Chansey!" The Chansey beckoned the trainer to follow it to the rooms past one of the doors. He followed without question as the pokèmon led him through the corridor. The patient rooms grew into the rented rooms for the trainers. Once Chansey found the key's room it handed the keys to the trainer.

The trainer nodded, "Thanks Chansey." He said and the pokèmon waddled off to tend to the patients. He unlocked the door to his room and entered in; as with every other rented out room in the pokèmon center-slash-hotel, there were two pairs of bunk beds on both walls either side of him, and a window in the opposite wall over a nightstand. "Figures, no TV," he sighed and placed his backpack on one of the bottom bunks.

He unzipped his main pocket of the bag and pulled out a charcoal black device roughly 14 inches long and 10 inches wide. Then he pulled out a cord and plugged one end into the device and the other into an outlet into the wall. "I'll just let that recharge…" He mumbled cheerfully under his breath as he put the device on the nightstand. After which he brought himself back up and out the door, locking it behind him and reminded himself of the room number.

The trainer passed through the main doors and headed for the video phones. He picked up the phone and dialed in; the signal traveled and rang on the other end, soon a woman picked up on the other end of the line. She was in her late thirties, her almond hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and wore a lavender apron under a pastel blue shirt. The trainer smiled, "Hey mom, I made it to Rustboro, and in one piece."

"That's great Kenyon! Did you just get there? Is there any news?" She jumped straight to the questions.

Kenyon sighed, trying to hide the bummed look. "Yeah I just got a room and I haven't made it to the police station yet. That's what I'm going to do next, believe me. I'm just as worried as you are."

"That's good to hear. Just remember that now you're in Hoenn, we can't keep supplying you with what you really need." His mom sounded less confidence as she spoke.

"Moooom, I know."

"Well if you knew then why did you take half our DVD collection?" She asked. Kenyon could just about face fault, but instead his head banged on the tabletop under the video phone. Half the trainers in the lobby turned their heads towards him, wondering what was going on.

"I didn't think anyone would notice." He chuckled pathetically. His mom sighed, knowing that this was a lost cause to begin with.

"Just be careful, and please don't chew up the time you need to do this by watching your movies." She reminded him.

"I will mom, I've given myself the routine of watching DVDs when I'm at the pokèmon centers after it gets late. I swear." Kenyon tried to assure.

"That's what I'd like to hear at the very least. Goodbye and take care Kenyon." She said.

Kenyon nodded, "You too mom." He said before the video phone cut its transmission. Sheesh, a little faith wouldn't hurt. …Just a little. He thought with grief as he headed back out into the city.

When Kenyon first stepped into Rustboro, he thought he saw the police station further back. Out of the pokèmon center he headed north towards the center of the city. It was a lighter walk since he didn't have his backpack, the weight was a relief to him, but he was proud in his collection.

As he rounded the corner, there was a large fountain, is seemed like a marker to the center of the city, there were stands of food and tables occupied with customers enjoying a lunch on the pleasant day. Everyone seemed to enjoy their friends and food but one seemed to catch his eye. Kenyon first watched a blue-haired trainer and his Marowak, a pokèmon easily identified by its skull helm. They appeared to be posing, a pair of buddies that wanted to show for it.

Kenyon then followed what appeared to be why they were posing. A girl just slightly older than him stood direction in front of the Marowak and his trainer with a relatively large sketchpad in her right arm. Her attire was both off from the mainstream trend and yet familiar at the same time. She had a violet undershirt and pants with a pale kimono top with sleeved that belled out at the elbows and the bottom ended just above her knees. Around her waist was a thick belt of a darker color to her kimono and tied off behind her. Just like every traveler, she had a backpack slung over her shoulder, wide enough to slide her sketchpad in from behind when she's done.

He didn't have a good look at her face. He guessed she was a sketcher. Absentmindedly, Kenyon approached the artist, curious at just how well she was. Kenyon just glanced back her shoulder and his brow arched in surprise; she was definitely almost done and it was a sketch by pencil alone to behold. Every detail was precise to her targets.

In seconds, the artist seemed satisfied and beckoned the trainer to see the work. Kenyon saw that the trainer was just as astounded. Upon seeing the trainer's smile, the artist carefully tore out the page from the bindery. She handed the paper to him, and exchanged received several bills of money.

Finally the artist turned towards Kenyon as if she knew he was there all along. She took a glance at him, specifically his belt. Just one pokèball… He must have just started out. She thought and smiled. "Well hello. Would you like a sketching of you and your pokèmon?"

Kenyon was taken aback just a little; he finally saw her face, or a part of it. Her growing red bangs covered most of her right side of the face, and it seemed a deep blue headband was tilted on her head as it was under her red bangs and over the rest of the brown hair. Kenyon was mostly curious as he followed her headband over her right eye. "Um, not really. Actually, I need to get to the police station."

The artist cocked her head in query, "Is something the matter? Pardon me for asking, it probably isn't my business of knowing."

Kenyon chuckled, "Heh, yeah. Well, I'm Kenyon Knight. I just traveled here from Johto." He said, holding out a hand in greeting.

The artist accepted the handshake after she put the pencil in her headband, "Miranda Ryu, I'm from Ecruteak City."

Kenyon's eyes glittered, "No wonder you're dressed like the Kimono Sisters."

Miranda exchanged the smile, "I used to sketch their fan posters before I moved to Hoenn. What region of Johto do you hail from?"

"I live on the outskirts of Olivine City by the Miltank farms." He answered before the little red flag went up. "Aw man I gotta go, see ya around Miranda! Happy sketching!" He said before sprinting off towards the police station.

Miranda watched Kenyon speed off, practically kicking dust behind him in his sprint. "He did say he needed to go to the police station. Is it an emergency?" She thought mostly to herself.

Kenyon finished his sprint in front of a building with a blue cap-shaped roof. "That must be it." He panted before stepping towards the building. Standing in front of the motorcycle garage was a woman in a navy blue uniform with a skirt, stroking the fur black-striped orange of a dog-like pokèmon, Growlithe.

The Growlithe caught whiff of Kenyon and perked ears in his direction. The officer shared his gaze, "Oh, do you need any help?"

"Not anything in the emergency, but I need to know, have you found anything on the Knights' case? My name's Kenyon Knight." He introduced to the blue-haired officer.

"Oh that case from Johto. Jenny's Case Number 5471, the case of the missing—" Jenny almost declared before Kenyon interrupted.

"Excuse me, Officer Jenny? I only asked if you had any progress with it." He said timidly and somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm sorry but I can't disclose that information. Even if you are a relative." Jenny said informatively.

"Are you serious? These are the prized pokèmon of my family we're talking about! I'm supposed to say that to my parents back in Johto?" Kenyon snapped and his voice jumped an octave. Officer Jenny showed Kenyon an open palm.

"Rest your family assured we'll find you're missing pokèmon. Don't you worry, leave it to me!" She announced proudly just as her radio signaled in.

"Unit 29! Unit 29! Come in, Unit 29!" Her radio blared, "Theft in the Devon Corporation, rumored Team Aqua! Requesting assistance!" Officer Jenny nearly ripped the radio off its clip on her shirt.

"This is Unit 29, I'm on my way." She reported into her radio before jumping on her motorcycle and quickly starting the motor. Her Growlithe jumped into the sidecar and the vehicle blasted by Kenyon. Kenyon apparently saw this as a bigger threat, there was just one thing.

"What's a Team Aqua?" He asked before looking towards the direction Jenny had sped off. Indeed in the distance there was a commotion by the fountain and he thought to look as a bystander himself. As he merged with the crowd, he saw Miranda again, looking on with a more intense gaze than the rest behind the police barricade. "Miranda!"

The Ecruteak artist responded to her named. "Kenyon?"

"What's going on? I heard Officer Jenny got a call about this place…what is this building?" Kenyon wondered.

Miranda looked back on it, almost anxious to answer but just as quickly did. "This is the Devon Corp, they invent and export devices in which makes our lives easier. You're saying Officer Jenny got the call just as you visited her?"

"Yeah." Kenyon nodded, "The emergency is said to be caused by…Team Aqua." Miranda grimaced at the name. "You know them?"

"Team Aqua is like Team Rocket in Johto, but twice the pain, there's also Team Magma." Before Miranda continued, a tiny purple hankie appeared just in front of her. Kenyon just about jumped out of his jeans when it appeared all of the sudden, but seeing Miranda not act the same way was short of embarrassing.

"Shup, shup, shuppet!" The thing spoke; it was obviously a ghost pokèmon now that Kenyon thought about it. Shuppet appeared to have a concerning look in its yellow eyes as Miranda listened to it. "Shuppet, Shupshupshuppetshup."

"I see. You don't think Officer Jenny will find him or the researcher inside?" Miranda asked, Shuppet spun side to side in attempt to shake its head.

Kenyon tried to listen in, but no luck on his half. "What's it saying?"

Miranda turned towards Kenyon with worry in her eyes. I can't let him follow me to chase the thief. "Kenyon, can you do me a favor?"

"What?" Kenyon's heads bounced back in surprise, getting s sudden favor from someone who he had just met today.

"Follow Puppet into Devon Corp., she says there's a researcher that's tied up and Jenny will not be able to find him. I'm going after the thief." Miranda stated. "Please Kenyon?"

Kenyon nodded, "Of course. But," he trailed off while his eyes scanned the barricade, "what about them?"

"Like I said, follow Puppet. She'll lead you into the Corporation and through it." Miranda repeated herself before shifting out of the crowd and out of town. Another twist threw Kenyon into a loop and made him stand there dumbfounded until Puppet bit his sleeve and tugged on it.

Asks me to follow her pokèmon and then she skips town? Hoenn's a crazy place already. He thought before responding to Puppet's inane coaxing. "Alright, where is he?"

"Shuppet pet!" The tiny ghost pokèmon replied and drifted carefully through the crowd, Kenyon not far behind her. Soon they found the end of the barricade and a staff entrance. Kenyon jiggled the handle but found it locked. After seconds of effort, Puppet simply drifted through the door, there was a tumbling of the locks and then Puppet called Kenyon in.

Kenyon opened the door and closed and locked it behind him. He continued to follow Puppet through the facility, ever so cautious of any surprises. It was like any sort of office building would be, wing after wing of offices and other various rooms, including testing labs. At the next turn, Kenyon found Officer Jenny and Growlithe searching a room of clutter.

"Jenny," Kenyon called.

It wasn't pleasant, "What are you doing here? This is police business! It's not safe for you here!"

"Well, yeah. But," Kenyon tried to explain before Puppet floated on ahead. It hovered next to a door that led into another corridor.

"Shupshuppet shuppet," Puppet said.

"Growlithe!" Jenny's partner barked and bounded towards the door. Again, it was a locked door, locked in from the other side; and just as before, Puppet phased through and unlocked it. As Jenny burst through, Puppet led them further down the hall.

Finally Growlithe had caught a scent and dashed ahead Puppet, stopping short of a janitorial closet. Jenny jiggled the handle, "Oh no, this one's locked." There was a muffled voice on the other side.

"Isn't it just locked from the inside like the rest?" Kenyon asked.

"Closets aren't normally inside locks. If they're locked in anyway, it's because someone had the keys to it." Jenny answered, trying to think fast.

"Shuppet." Puppet interjected strongly and stared at the door.

Jenny looked curious, "Is this your Shuppet, Kenyon?" Kenyon shook his head. Just in front of them Puppet had a hard look of concentration on her face. Then her eyes glowed purple, soon the doorknob did. Kenyon and Jenny heard the lock tumble and become unlocked. "It used Psychic! That's a clever little ghost." Jenny praised it and finally opened the door.

A shamble of cleaning tools as well as a white-coat researcher fell out, bound and gagged. Jenny and Kenyon both caught him and propped him against the wall just outside the closet. Jenny carefully removed the gag, in which he spat out, "What are you doing here! You need to catch Team Aqua!"

"What has Team Aqua stolen?" Jenny asked.

"A member of Team Aqua has stolen a very valuable piece to a submarine we are developing in Slateport City! You need to catch him officer!" The researcher panicked.

Is that why Miranda bolted? I think she headed west. Kenyon gulped to ask something a little off-topic. "Officer Jenny, what's west of here?"

"Huh? West is the Whismur Tunnel. It's incomplete because the construction of the tunnel disturbed the Whismur living in the cave." Jenny answered short and sweet while untying the researcher.

Kenyon sprang on his feet and left Devon Corp, turning to Puppet. "Is that where Miranda headed? You saw where the thief went?"

"Shup, shup." Puppet nodded and Kenyon wasted no time.

As Kenyon circled out of Devon Corp and in his jog he thought about himself. Wow, this is a little surprising, I have been doing nothing but running all over Rustboro and I'm hardly breaking a sweat. Maybe I should carry my backpack more often. Kenyon's smiled faded when his cons of the scenario entered. What am I thinking? The more I have to do things unnecessarily, the less time I have to myself and my movies. I'm not getting fat.

Once Kenyon reached the outer limits, he stumbled over a ridge to find a quarter-scale piece of mountain. There was no way around it and apparently it was the discontinued tunnel project to travel through it; there was even a rest house for the workers that once took part of the project. While Kenyon pondered about where Miranda could have gone next, Puppet flew by, going into the cave.

"Miranda went that way?" Kenyon asked to get a double-check of the situation but the ghost pokèmon already flew into the cave. Oddly enough there was still temporary electricity running through it, mining lights hung from the tunnel ceiling. Puppet soon reunited with her trainer who was knee-deep in battle.

She had another ghost pokèmon, this one had a bulbous head with red eyes and a red necklace just under her chin and shrouded in a purple veil-like form, a Misdreavus. Her opponent was a tiny gray-furred wolf pup, a Poochyena, and his trainer was dressed in a sailor themed costume with a black shirt under a blue vest, blue jeans with white circles running down the right leg, and a rugged black beard to complete the distraught sailor expression; under his left arm looked like a piece of equipment. He had been cornered and was forced to fight a battle in order to escape. "Miranda!" Kenyon called out.

"Kenyon, what are you doing here?" Miranda looked back just as the tiny Poochyena lunged for a bite. Misdreavus barely dodge and kept her eyes on him until she got the next order. "Possessor, use Shadow Ball!" Miranda commanded. By the order, Possessor's eyes turned black and a sphere of black energy crackled in front of her. In an instant the ball flew in Poochyena's direction, but it was hardly a hit.

Kenyon watched with an arched brow, "Do you only have ghost pokèmon?"

"On me, yes." Miranda answered while still in battle.

The opponent declared his next attack, "Poochyena, Bite it again!" The wolf pokèmon darted headlong into the Misdreavus and marked a direct hit. In a panic, Miranda caught her pokèmon in her arms after she was seriously injured.

Kenyon saw how weak the ghost pokèmon had become. Against the dark types, ghost pokèmon can barely inflict damage and take twice as much. "Miranda, I'll take over." He volunteered.

Miranda jumped, "But Kenyon, you only have one pokèmon! Aren't you just starting out?" Half-ignoring, Kenyon stepped ahead and plucked the pokèball off his belt. With a tap of his finger, the marble-sized ball increased to fit his palm. "Kenyon, are you listening to me? This is Team Aqua!"

"All the more reason to step up to the plate," Kenyon tossed the pokèball in his hand a few times before actually throwing it. "Sapphire, you're on!" The pokèball burst open in midair and a stream of white light erupted from the hollow sphere. The light landed on the ground and molded into its shape of the occupied.

"Eevee!" A new voice chirped to Miranda's surprised. In front of Kenyon was a tiny brown pokèmon with a powder-puff mane around its neck, long brown ears, and a fluffy brown tail. It had a collar around its neck just over the mane with a sapphire pendant. "Eevee!"

His only pokèmon…is an Eevee? Knight…Eevee… Miranda's gears turned slowly in her head as it came together.

Kenyon boasted, "All right Sapphire, your time is now! Tackle!" The Eevee took a stance before charging headlong.

The Aqua trainer grumbled, "Poochyena, match his Tackle with yours!" The opposing pokèmon charged in like it was a jousting competition. Both Tackles landed head-on but Sapphire won it out, the Poochyena was thrown back. When Poochyena tried to recover and keep fighting, a black mark on the back of its neck pulsed. The wolf collapsed.

Kenyon looked just as confused as the Team Aqua trainer, until Miranda answered. "That was Curse. At the cost of half of Possessor's health, the opposing pokèmon gradually has its health drained."

The Aqua trainer growled deathly and held out a pokèball. "Poochyena, return," he commanded and Poochyena was zapped with a red laser, the pokèmon itself glowing red and warped back into the spherical machine. He was about ready to toss out another pokèball when Growlithe tackled in and bit his right arm. "Gah!" He cried as the pokèmon's fangs sank in.

Officer Jenny was right behind Kenyon and Miranda, pointing a gloved finger sternly at the Team Aqua member. "You are hereby under arrest for attempted theft!" She announced in the cave boldly, making the walls whimper.

With her spare hand, Miranda jerked at Jenny's shoulder. "Pardon me officer but do remember this is the Whismur Cave." She reminded harshly under gritted teeth.

Kenyon's eyes were glazed with confusion. "Whismur?" His Eevee bounced onto his shoulder, guessing that the battle was over.

"They're pokèmon that are extremely sensitive to sound and will cry out with an ear-splitting Screech if they feel they're in the slightest bit of danger." Miranda answered swiftly and pointed behind the subdued Aqua member. There was a small pink pokèmon with yellow-tipped lop ears quivering with a whimper in the corner. "That's one of them." Miranda's voice turned into a bare whisper.

By now the Aqua brute surrendered, with Growlithe still on his arm. Without disturbing that or other Whismur, the thief was cuffed and the group moved out of the tunnel. Once they got away from the tunnel, Officer Jenny declared in a proud voice. "I appreciate your help and bravery in capturing that thief. The city thanks you and the Devon Corporation thanks you. I will now take this man in for interrogation. But I will need one more inch of your help."

"You need us to return this to Devon? No problem." Kenyon said while holding the stolen device in his hands.

"Greatly appreciated. We'll let you know when we've found your missing pokèmon. Have a good night." Officer Jenny marched on with the broken Aqua grunt. It was as she said; by now the sun was only a thin line of gold across the horizon and the sky to the east was already violet.

Kenyon smiled contently, "Shouldn't take us that long. Or…shouldn't take me that long. I'm sure you had other plans than…" Kenyon's own mind finally clicked. "Did you know that happened all along, that thief in Devon?"

Miranda blushed, almost matching her bangs. She quickly turned away with an offended look. "You think I'd act sooner if I knew? When I arrived in Rustboro this morning I saw a shady character enter Devon's back door. Only natural to have Puppet or another of my ghost pokèmon check it out." She said while cradling her Misdreavus. "And what about you? How do have an Eevee as your only pokèmon?"

Kenyon chuckled, "Well, my name should have given it away, since you lived in Johto, too. I'm Kenyon Knight, of the Knights of Eevee breeding and research center."

"Heh…guess I should have guessed. Unfortunately I'm not sure how common 'Knight' is among these parts, or how phony Knights will brag that they're a part of that center." Miranda said and looked down on her Misdreavus. "I'm going to have to stop at the pokèmon center first. If you want to go ahead and take that to Devon Corp, I'm not stopping you." She said and headed towards the center once they reached Rustboro again.

"A machine can wait a few minutes, your pokèmon looks hurt." Kenyon worried and stuck by Miranda as they strolled the brisk night towards the building. They entered through the sliding doors and a Chansey had taken the front desk. By now most of the trainers in waiting had gone to their rooms. "Hey Chansey! Could you take a look at Misdreavus here?"

"Chansey!" The pokèmon nodded and turned to one of the doors. "Chansey Chansey!" The door was opened by another Chansey pushing a stretcher. Miranda nodded and carefully placed her exhausted Misdreavus on the stretcher, giving her a light stroke on her head before she was taken into the back.

Kenyon put a hand on Miranda's shoulder. "She'll be fine."

Miranda softly smiled, "Thanks Kenyon." Then turning to her Shuppet, "And thank you for helping him out there." She picked a pokèball off her belt and prepared to return the ghost.

"Shuppet." She acknowledged and flew back into the pokèball.

Kenyon found his next favor to be the last thing for the night. "You can stay here and wait for Misdreavus."

"At this late hour? I mean I know Nurse Joy's busy, but Possessor only has battle damage. Like you said, she'll be fine. I bet all she needs is a good rest and recovery. As for that thing, I'll come with you. I'd like to see it returned as well." Miranda insisted and started to head out towards Devon again.

The city streets were quiet with streetlights shining over the main road. The night had finally got cold enough to send Kenyon shudder. "Should have brought a coat." He mumbled and looked at Miranda. "Aren't you cold?"

Miranda's exposed skin was her face, and hands but her outfit seemed to be thin and not meant for enduring brisk chills. "It's tolerable." She answered and her mind went on to other things. "You have missing pokèmon?"

"How'd you…?"

"Hard to miss with Officer Jenny's declarations."

Kenyon tilted his head, "Yeah, a little while ago our center was broken into and several of our pokèmon were stolen, among them was Sapphire's dad." His Eevee whimpered and his ears fell.

Miranda's fingers covered her lips in a quick light gasp. "I'm…I'm sorry."

"Not your fault. After a month or so it led the family to Hoenn, so that's why they sent me. That and I need a 'lesson in responsibility.'" His last phrase changed in tone from depression to irk.

Miranda had a minute's thought. "Do you mind if I help?"

Kenyon tried to sound endearing, "No, I can't drag you into this. You probably had other plans."

"None in particular that needs my immediate attention," Miranda rejected his answer, "Besides, Team Aqua has your face now, and mine. It's best if we stick together for survival purposes. On top of that I'm a traveler, a wandering sketcher. I don't have a lot on my plate accept care for my pokèmon and make my living."

"Well, if you want to come." Kenyon shrugged.

"I feel I'll have to, you're new to Hoenn and I've traveled the region the past six months. I have a better feel of the region than you might have." Miranda answered. They had just entered the main doors of Devon and approached the front desk. "Excuse us. We have come to return this. It's what the thief stole earlier today."

"Oh yes, thank you." The receptionist replied, "The president's office is on the third floor. Please take it to him personally." The trainers nodded and took a set of stairs in the corner of the room. They heard as the receptionist called the office. "The navigational system has been recovered. It will be to you shortly, Mr. Stone."

At the second level, there was a large room filled with computers, and gadgets among gadgets. Kenyon and Miranda could have watched in awe if they weren't busy, and moved on to the stairs leading to the third floor. They came to a red oak door finely polish with a bronze plaque stating, "Mr. Stone Devon Corporation President." Because Kenyon had his hands full with the device, Miranda tapped her knuckles on the door.

"Mr. Stone?" She asked after knocking twice.

"Door's open. Come in." A voice called on the other side. Miranda grasped the metal handle for the knob and pushed it open. The room the trainers stepped into was a splendid burgundy with intricate ceiling molding all around. At his solid oak desk was an elderly man who still had a strong of youth, much like Briney. He had a very formal wear. Of course, what businessman wouldn't? Especially the president of a corporation. "Ah, you two caught that Team Aqua thug and returned the navigational system. I thank you on behalf of the company."

Miranda looked at the device Kenyon held in his arms. "Is that really what it is?"

"Yes it is. That is the Devon Corp's navigational system specifically designed for a submarine in the works in Slateport City. It was supposed to be delivered by the end of the week." Mr. Stone stated.

"Supposed to?" Kenyon repeated, "You mean because of this you're going to have to delay the delivery?"

"It's apparent that Team Aqua will strike again before the delivery, and may strike the delivery en route. Which is why I'd like to ask you two a favor." Mr. Stone leaned onto his desk, his knuckles propping his head as the elbows stood on the desk.

Oh no. Kenyon and Miranda thought in unison.

"At your earliest convenience, I'd like you to deliver that for me to Captain Stern in Slateport City." Mr. Stone made his request.

Must be joking. Again Miranda's and Kenyon's minds synced. Don't you have some other messenger in mind?

While Kenyon felt obliged to reject because he had other things, Miranda stepped up, "If it means that there won't be a repeat of this, I can take it." She volunteered.

Thank you Miranda. Kenyon praised in thought and handed the machine to her carefully.

"I greatly appreciate it." Mr. Stone thanked her, then turned to Kenyon, "May you travel with her too, to Slateport at least?"

Kenyon smiled pathetically. "Yeah sure, no big." Not like we agreed to travel together in the first place.

Things were wrapped up and the two made their way back to the pokèmon center just as the doors were closed for the night. Just as they entered the sensor was shut off and Nurse Joy locked the door. Her eyes looked over onto Miranda. "I don't believe I got you a room here tonight."

"Are they filled up?" Miranda asked.

"All the rooms are occupied but most of them have one trainer." Nurse Joy answered solemnly.

"Well she can have the other bunk that I'm not using." Kenyon suggested, making Miranda jumped and stare at him with thoughts of what he plans afterwards. "What? What are the odds that if you knocked on any door they'll be already asleep or full-up?" Seeing his point, and how Kenyon had acted through the day, he didn't seem to have any particular interest. Keywords: didn't seem.

Reluctantly, Miranda found no other choice and agreed to bunk with Kenyon for the night. The two headed back towards Kenyon's room. He locked the door and the two entered in; Kenyon snatching up his bag from the opposite bottom bunk and placed it at the foot of his. "Wanna movie tonight?"

"Pardon?" Miranda didn't seem to pay attention as she slid off her bag while still holding the device.

"A movie, you know." He repeated with a grin of glee and found that his machine had fully charged. He opened his up and the inside of it consisted of a LCD plasma monitor and a DVD reader. Then he visited his backpack and pulled it open.

Miranda had to have counted at least three dozen titles inside his bag, along with microwave popcorn packages and sorts of candies found in movie theatres. Miranda nearly slipped the navigator system from her hands. What…the…heck?

Kenyon didn't seem to mind it until Miranda had the expression of shock and confusion for too long. "You know I get the same face from my parents. At least I'm not getting fat."

Miranda shook her head, clearing away her expression. "Sure, maybe a movie. What do you have?" She asked as she slid the system into her bag in front of her sketchpad.

"Take a look for yourself." He offered and Miranda browsed the titles, picking one and they both watched it from the nightstand. Near the end, both of them had drifted off. Thankfully, if the menu screen that reappears after the movie was in idle for more than ten minutes, the player would shut itself off.

To be continued...