"Alright, I'll need Bolt, I have to go", Sam leans onto the couch. His parents are watching some comedy movie, with Yamper nested in between them.

  "No, can't do, chief", his father laughs, "Bolts likes it with us".

  He had arrived in the early evening yesterday, and things have been as normal. Life was just the same as he had left it 2 weeks ago. The only difference in his house now seemed to be the existance of Yamper. His parents became fond of the small dog almost instantly, and Yamper had been enjoying the buffet of belly rubs last night and this morning.

  "Really, I need to go see Peter", Sam smiles, "I want Bolt to meet him as well, you know".

  "Oh, sweetie, come on", his mother replies, "it's not a must, just let Bolt hang out with us today".

  "It is a must", Sam says jokingly, reaching over and grabbing Yamper into his hands. "You two can't hold my partner hostage, you know, you'll turn him into a couch potato", the boy protests.

  "There's nothing wrong with using weekends to be a couch potato, you know", his father raises his finger in explanation.

  "Yeah, I know, I know", Sam says, "but I'm only here for a bit, so I'll be using the weekend to see my friends". Well, he'll only be meeting Peter. Liam said he might come as well, but that was uncertain, and he couldn't get a hold of Fred at all.

  "Besides, Bolt needs to train as well", Sam notes, as an afterthought. Not that he has been doing much of that, other than running and having his partner practice Thunderbolt by using it repeadetly, Sam wasn't really sure what he was doing. Training an electric type was tough. He knew Joe's methods, but they were much better suited to a fighting type. He also saw Ace hitting soda cans with Rockruff a few times, but that worked for him. Not that he could have Yamper do that. He tried, but the can ended up getting burnt to the crisp. Aluminium was apparently not the best electricity conductor.

  "Really, you're going to torture him on your days off?", his mother says.

  "I have to, mom", Sam sighs, "I'm already last on the rankings, I'm falling behind". He doesn't tell them they are 500 points behind. That was a done deal, and there was no need for his parents to get worried about it.

  "Well, just don't over do it, son", his father said behind him.

  "And say hi to Fred and the company on our behalf", his mother added.

  "I will", Sam responded, a sting of guilt hitting his chest.

  He didn't have the heart or willingness to tell his parents he hasn',t spoken with Fred in a good while. His friend rarely responded to his texts, and when he did it was in the shortest way possible. Not that he didn't trust his parents, but they would find it strange. The 4 of them were friends since forever, and Sam's parents knew it well enough. Telling them about this would lead into a conversation he didn't want to have, force him to answer questions he just couldn't give an answer to.

  "Alright, so, how about we do a light run to the diner", he suggests to Yamper, lowering the small dog to the ground. The place where he was supposed to meet up with Peter wasn't far away, a mile at best. He could take the opportunity to train. Yamper barked in agreement, and the two of them set off, Sam having to slow down his pace as always, just to let Yamper catch up.

  Things with Peter were good, at least. He was looking forward to seeing him in person, after 2 weeks of texting and calls. It felt just a little bit strange. That it was Peter who ended up sticking with him. The two of them never felt particularly close. It was more of a Sam and Fred show, with Liam as a guest star. Peter was always just kind of there. Sam felt a wave of guilt wash over him, for simply seeing things that way. For all this time, he hasn't really been paying attention to Peter. Not that a short visit back home could make up for it.

  The day was surprisingly warm for late September, and the only thing that succeeded in getting Sam's mind off off things was the red of trees that popped up across the neigbourhood. He couldn't decide if the leaves were bleeding onto the pavement, or were they being shedded away. Somehow, it might've been both things at the same time.

  Yamper still struggled to follow along while they ran, but a good thing was that Sam was starting to see more and more electricity gather around his pokemon's fur. Ever since he taught him Thunderbolt, Sam has had Yamper gather power like that. Yamper proved to be somewhat of a natural when it came to special attacks, having managed to get of a Thunderbolt on his very first try. Alright, well, he had failed the following 5 Thunderbolts. That first success, however, did make Sam realise running helps gather electricity, which helps Thunderbolt release without an issue. Should've been obvious from the get go. After that, Sam had Yamper run laps in between 3 trees to gather energy before hitting the 4th one with Thunderbolt. It worked like a charm, taking Yamper 3 days to master the move, with Sam being pretty sure it could be used in battle. Moreover, he knew for a fact it had taken both Joe and Ves more time to get their TM moves in order, and he was silently proud to have beaten them in that. He did mention it in passing to Ace, who had informed him Yamper learned an electric move that matched his typing, so Sam has had an easier job there. Well, Sam was still proud to have won. Forgetting Nuzzle was definitely a bad idea, and he saw that now. He had Bite that he never used, as well as Sand Attack. He could've gotten rid of one of those. In his defense, he though, since he was teaching Thunderbolt, there was no need to keep the weaker electric move around. He ended up missing his ability to paralyse, so, lesson learned.

  The diner was a cozy place, they used to spend a lots of time there. Walking in through the doors, he was greeted by the familiar smell of coffee and fresh fries. Even though it's only been weeks since he left, the whole place felt somewhat foreign. The white tiles squeeked as he walked, and the benches dressed in red leather seemed uninviting. He got this feeling of alienation off of his mind, as he spotted Peter sitting at one of the boots.

  "Hey, Pete", he gave a small wave as he clumsily sat down across from him. Hanging out alone with Peter was a novelty as well. Was this a first time they were hanging out like this, just the two of them, Sam wondered. He realised he couldn't remember.

  "Hey Sam", Peter's voice came out soft and uncertain. Maybe life has turned upside down for both of them, Sam thought. Maybe they were both just learning to walk again, in these new shoes.

  "What's up", Sam says cautiosly, not sure how to start up a conversation. They talked a good bit over the phone for the past 2 weeks, but this was different. Seeing Peter in the flesh made Sam realise he wasn't always the best friend.

  "Nothing much", Peter replies simply, shuffling in his spot. "Well, actually", he shifts around, producing a carboard bag from beside him, "I've got you something?".

  "You got me a gift?", Sam says in surprise, a sense of guilt appearing again, "dude, thanks, sorry, I... didn't get you anything". And was in Canalave just yesterday, he could've gotten him something. For a split second he thought about giving away that necklace professor Nolan has gifted him, but it felt too personal.

  "Yeah, just... I thought you'd like this", Peter says sheepishly.

  From the bag, Sam pulled the soft looking fabric, spreading it in front of himself to get a better look. "A leatherman jacket", Sam smiled, realising. It was bright yellow, interrupted by white, and Sam almost wanted to laugh at the idea. Is this how Peter imagined him? Like a guy who'd leatherman jackets? "I love it, dude", Sam says, smiling still.

  "Glad to hear that", Peter seemed to relax, "I got it from the school shop, thought you'd like it".

  "It's great, for real, thanks", Sam says, sliding off his zip-up hoodie and quickly putting on the leatherman jacket. "And it fits", the boy noted.

  "Yeah, glad to have gotten the size right", Peter scratches his head.

  "Yeah, sorry I haven't gotten you something as well, I really should've", Sam says, noting that he'd have to make a trip to the gift shop back at Old King's. What did they even have in their school's gift shop? With how Old King's was, they probably had anti-depressants, hopfully some stress balls.

  "Hey, don't sweat it", Peter waves him off with a smile, "I know you've had a lot on your mind, besides, I wanted you to have this, you know, just to remind you you still have folks back home".

  "Um, thanks", Sam smiled again, some sort of saddnes making his shoulders rise. Peter had seemed a bit differetn than he had remembered him. His hair was still a mess, the bags under his eyes seemed more prominent, but the boy himself seemed to be glowing.

  "So, what's up", Peter says cautiously.

  "Same old", Sam replies. He had already burried Peter in his problems, and he didn't want to do it again. There was no need after all, nothing new has happened.

  "How'd that school trip to Canalave go?", Peter inquiers.

  "As well as I expected", Sam says shortly, "I've ended up going to a museum with our mentor".

  "You? A museum?", Peter almost laughs.

  "Hey, what's funny about that?", Sam finally relaxes.

  "Nothing, you just don't seem like the type, that's all", Peter responds.

  "Hey, I met this really hot girl there, and...", Sam starts.

  "Oh, so you went into the museum after a girl, yeah, that makes more sense", Peter laughs.

  "Hey, what do you think I am", Sam rolls his eyes playfully. "Besides, I ended up getting this", Sam says showing off his talisman, "so you know, it was fun".

  "Looks cool", Peter says, taking a better look at the necklace, "got that from the girl?".

  "No, from my mentor", Sam notes.

  "Cool, the only thing out professor's give us is stress", Peter laughs, "and homework".

  "Would you guys like to order?", the waitress appears next to them, cutting off the conversation.

  "Um, I'll have Sitrus Burger, Pecha-Rawst smoothie, and fries", Sam recites his usual order.

  "We don't have Sitrus burgers on the menu anymore", the waitress notes shortly.

  "Oh", Sam says, realising he has no idea what to get now.

  "Oh, try my order", Peter offers, "I'll do Oran-meat tortilla and squeezed Chesto juice".

  "Yeah, I'll have the same tortilla then", Sam says absentmindedly, as the waitress jots down the order. "Um, by the way, do you have pokemon food?", Sam asks. "Is the diner pokemon friendly?", the boy adds.

  "Uh, yes", the waitress says cautiously, "you have a pokemon?".

  "I'm a trainer", Sam notes, quickly loading his permit.

  "Alright then, what meal do you want?", the waitress asks expectantly.

  "Um, you have pellets, or?", Sam wonders.

  "Only sweet and sour, and yellow and green pokeblocks", the woman says. "Not too many trainers come around", she explains.

  "Fine, we'll do yellow pokeblocks then", Sam nods.

  "Alright, it'll be a minute", the waitress notes dully before leaving.

  "Oh, right", Sam says, turning to Peter as he produces Yamper's pokeball, "you've met over the phone, but I want you to meet Bolt in person as well".

  He lets his partner out on the seat beside him. Picking him up, the dog starts waving his legs merrily in an instant. Peter laughs. "What's funny?", Sam asks, thinking Peter finds Yamper cute.

  "Your hair, Sam", Peter's basically dying from laughter now, and Sam notices other people in the diner looking at him and shuckling as well.

  He starts the camera on his phone, and quickly figures it out. His hair has gone wild, aimimg for the ceiling. "Dude, it's not funny", Sam laughs along, "we just ran here, Yamper still has a good bit of electricity in him".

  "I...can't", Peter utters through the fit of laughter, "you... look like... a throwaway character... from some... teenage romcom".

  Wow, an Ace-type of insult, Sam thinks. He can't escape those even at home.

  "Cmon Pete", Sam smiles again, picking up Yamper.

  "And you're wearing a leatherman jacket", Peter notes, finally calming down a bit.

  "Yeah, the one you got me", Sam snarks playfully, offering his partner over the table to be held.

  "Oh, wait", Peter says, taking the dog. Yamper starts licking his face immediately.

  "Huh, is my hair alright", Peter laughs away.

  "Yeah, looks good", Sam notes, "and by the way, Bolt likes belly rubs".

  "Dude, I think he's trying to eat me", Peter protests, as Yamper contimues attacking his face.

  "Oh, no, he just wants to play", Sam says.

  "Yeah, that's what they always say", Peter retaliates. He finally manages to place Yamper down, and starts petting him immediately. "Well, he's cute, I guess", he notes to Sam.

  "Wait until he evolves", Sam says proudly.

  "No, he's so cute and chubby like this", Peter protests in a sweet voice, as Yamper rolls around on the bench to have his belly rubbed.

  "Well, I will have to evolve him sooner or later?", Sam notes.

  "And how do you do that?", Peter asks.

  "No idea", Sam admits, "well, I've read up about it, but evolution is pretty hard to trigger".

  "As far as I know, it's the energy thing, right?", Peter says somewhat absentmindedly.

  "Right, when a pokemon reaches certain energy level, evolution happens", Sam nods, "though, that's very hard to measure".

  "Right, and it needs a trigger as well", Peter says about it.

  "Well, yeah, it's basically a huge energy release, as far as I know", Sam says, "pokemon builds up a huge amount of energy in his body, and it's expressed through evolution".

  "Right, it's like an attack, but it isn't an attack", Peter nods away, still scratching Yamper's belly, "I've read somewhere different things can trigger it, but it mostly comes down to feelings of a pokemon, well, in a way, or at least that goes for pokemon that evolve without items like stones, for those the item is what triggers the energy release, and starts the evolution".

  "Huh, you sure know a lot about it", Sam smiles at his friend. Another round of sadness rings through his mind. "Um, Pete", Sam says, "you are going to aim for passing the government test when we're 18, right?". Sam thinks about it. Even if he fails the year at Old King's he can still be a pokemon trainer, and together with his actual friends. It might not be the worst thing if he failed.

  "Um, well, I'm not sure", Peter shifts in his seat.

  "We did always want to be trainers together", Sam reminds him, forcing himself not to add 'the four of us'.

  "I... I know", Peter says slowly, "I mean, Fred and you always wanted that, and... I went along with it".

  "Peter", Sam reaches forward.

  "Don't get me wrong", Peter says defensively, "I mean, I did want it, really, it seemed like fun, but I think... I think it was my way of feeling like the part of the group, you know, that's what I actually liked about it".

  "Oh", Sam says in surprise. Did Peter always just tag-along? "Sorry", Sam says, just cause he feels the need to.

  "It's fine, I don't really know what is it that I want", Peter admits.

  "Yeah, I get it", Sam nods. Peter was going through a similar thing as he was, Sam realises. Liam and Fred were no longer there, and Sam was gone as well. In a sense, Peter was left alone.

  "It's not you guys", Peter says as if he's reading Sam's mind, "well, I don't know, it feels like I've been going along with the three of you all this time, and now I'm left to look for myself".

  "I'm sorry", Sam repeats himself.

  "Don't be", Peter says firmly, "I'm not".

  "Oh, that's good", Sam says, still feeling bad. He never meant to make Peter feel as if he was just following them around.

  "Look, you guys were a big part of my life, and I don't regret that one bit", Peter clears his throat. He seems bigger to Sam than he ever was. "But things change, and that's not a bad thing", the boy states, "it's not easy, I... I know some things won't ever come back to me, and it's not an easy pill to swallow".

  "Not at all", Sam says wearily.

  "But it's also a good thing, you know", Peter says, "I get to fine me, I get to become something entirely new".

  "That's...", Sam's not quite sure how to react, "I'm happy for you Pete, really, you're... so smart, I'm really sorry we never talked like this before this".

  "Well, nothing's stopping us now", Peter laughs lightly.

  "No", Sam smiles at him.

  "It's funny, huh", Peter looks away, "it took us separation to come together like this".

  "Yeah, that's... sweet, I'm glad, this is one good thing that came out of it all", Sam admits.

  "Well, whatever my life turns out like, I hope you'll stay a part of it", Peter says in determination.

  "I will", Sam nods, "promise".

  "Thanks", Peter nods, "you know, I do like talking to you more, school's been tough". He raises his eyebrows adding: "well, I did not have anyone leading me into a trap, but there's too much homework, and people are not much better around here then they are over there, you know".

  "Oh, you having problems?", Sam asks, "are you making friends?".

  "I am, I mean, I did meet a few new people who are cool", Peter admits, "but most of them are not really up my alley".

  "Well, at least you made some friends", Sam offers.

  "Yeah, they're cool, I'm not complaining", Peter says.

  "So, you thinking about what you want to do?", Sam asks, "now that you don't want to be a trainer".

  "Actually", Peter scratches his head, "I signed up for basic medic course at the pokemon center".

  "Oh, you did?", Sam says in surprise, "that's, that's amazing, dude".

  "Yeah, I mean, I do like pokemon, I just think I'm not really a type of guy that's meant for battles, you know".

  Stolen novel; please report.

  "Yeah, you were always the calm and nice one", Sam smiles.

  "Well, one of my professors told me there's the course", Peter smiles, "and you know, I signed up".

  "Great, when it starting?", Sam inquers.

  "Next weekend", Peter informs him. "It's only basic training, you know, meant to operate healing machines, learn about the first aid on the field, that kind of stuff".

  "That sounds fun", Sam says.

  "Yeah, I mean, it's going to take extra work, since I have school as well", Peter admits, "but get this, if I pass the basic training, I can take the intermediate courses".

  "Even more work, huh, you're on fire, Pete", Sam laughs.

  "Yeah, but look", Peter perks up, "if I pass the intermediate course, the branch of Ranger's Society in Jubilife has courses I can sign up for as well, the field work course as well, so, you know, basically, I could earn a permit for medic field work as early as this summer".

  "Wait, does that mean...", Sam raises his eyebrow.

  "Yeah, I could get a pokemon of my own like that", Peter confirms, "Ranger's society would assign me one, and I could help out wild pokemon that get injured, as well as trainers that find themselves in trouble".

  "That's great Pete, you'll do great", Sam says. At least someone knows what they're doing with their life.

  "Well, they'll probably assign me a Cleffa or something", Peter laughs, "but it's fine, I've always liked those milder pokemon amyways".

  "Yeah, I figured", Sam laughs.

  Their food finally arrives, cutting off the conversation yet again. Together with food, Liam arrives as well. Sam stares at him in surprise, as the brown haired boy slaps his hand on his shoulder in a greeting, and orders cola and Pecha-meat burger. Sam greets him quickly, noting his friend has gone through a growth spur, and is now towering over both him and Peter.

  "Well, I made it into the school's basketball team, so I'm treating", Liam says, as soon as he slides next to Peter. He notices Yamper immediately, reaching over and picking it up. "This is your partner Sam, huh?", the boy talks swiftly, "he's cute, but he doesn't really seem like much of a battler, you know, if you wanted an electric dog, you should've gotten an Electrike".

  "I didn't have a choice", Sam reminds him.

  "Nevermind, this little guy's cool", Liam turns Yamper around, scratching away. Sam's sure Yamper likes him instantly. "So, am I interrupting here", Liam looks away rapidly, noting Sam's and Peter's reactions, "you did invite me, remember".

  "Well, we're a bit surprised you showed up, is all", Peter admits.

  "I said I'd try to come", Liam shoots off, "and so I did try". Liam hangs back in the boot: "so, catch me up, if it's not a problem".

  "Peter wants to be a field medic, and I'm back home for the weekend", Sam notes quickly.

  "Cool, that's cool Pete", Liam says, "Fred didn't show up, huh, you did invite him right?". Without waiting for an answer, Liam adds: "he's been acting like a little bitch, if you ask me". Noticing his friends looking increasingly uncomfortable, the boy adds: "what, am I not supposed to say that?".

  "I did imvite him, I don't think he's seen the message though", Sam admits.

  "Yeah, sounds about right", Liam rolls his eyes. Looking between Peter and Sam he adds: "what, are the two of you uncomfortable with me mentioning him, huh?".

  "I mean, it's complicated", Sam says slowly.

  "Oh, my God, Sam, it's not complicated at all, Fred's been acting like a bitch, and I can say it", Liam goes into a fiery fight with himself, "what, are you two uncomfortable with saying his name, I mean, he's not fucking Voldemort, well, he's not fucking anyone, although I think he's been trying, but that' s beside the points I can say his name, see, Fred, Fred, Fred". Liam stops short to catch his breath.

  "Liam, that's... fine", Sam says.

  "Yeah, it's not fine", Liam rolls his eyes, "he's been butt-hurt this whole summer since you made it into that school, and he's been only getting worse".

  "Cmon, Liam", Peter reaches his hand towards him, but Liam doesn't even sound mad.

  "Cmon Liam what, I mean, I'm saying what we all know already", Liam states, "did that little asshole talk to either of you since the school year started?".

  "A bit", Sam admits.

  "So I suppose that means no", Liam sticks his tongue out, "dude, he changes after he's seen those results, just admit it". No one responds to that, so Liam keeps talking to himself: "sure, I was bummed when I found I didn't make it either, but like, who cares, that's just a sign pokemon training isn't for me", the boy blurts out, "dude needs to learn how to let go, for fucks sake".

  "In his defense, he did barely fail", Sam points out, he was only one spot beneath him. He understood why Fred would take that hard. Maybe Fred would've done better than him amyways, maybe he was the one who should've made it.

  "Well, first off, he shouldn't be ignoring any of us because of it", Liam rolls his eyes, "we all had equal chances, you made it, the three of us didn't end of the story". Liam pauses to take a breath again. He has always had this habbit of talking himself out of air. "Second thing, he shouldn't be going to this fucking extreme, I mean, I get being sad about it, but like, mate, why get a fucking pokemon illegally, just wait 'till you're 18 and get the licence then, like everyone else".

  "Wait, what?", Peter reacts before Sam gets a chance to, "wait, he got a pokemon illegally".

  "Yeah, dude, you didn't know? He payed some guy to catch a Shinx for him, a week ago, he' d been saving up for that for most of the summer", Liam says it like it's no big deal, "he's been training it at the football field ever since then, the fool's not even trying to hide it, literally everybody knows it".

  Looking between Sam's and Peter's shocked faces, Liam adds: "I mean, I get Sam not knowing, but Pete, this is not some sort of secret, literally everyone in the school knows about this".

  "Not in my circle", Peter says.

  "Dude, how?", Liam laughs, "there's literally a whole-ass club for people who got pokemon illegally, there's like 40 of them, ranging from freshmen to seniors, I mean, it's literally an open secret".

  "Hey, I'm too busy with schoolwork, not exactly too much time for gossip", Peter protests.

  "Well, now you know", Liam says, "God, I'm busy for 2 weeks, and you're alredy falling behind socially, Pete".

  "I am doing very well socially, thank you very much", Peter crosses his hands.

  "Yet, you still need me to fill you in on the gossip", Liam laughs.

  "Well, you are mister social butterfly", Peter rolls his eyes playfully.

  "So, um, Fred", Sam imterrupts them, feeling his heart racing. The talisman starts feeling warm against his skin, so he nervously adjusts it under his shirt. "He's got a pokemon, a Shinx", he says finally, not really sure how to react to these news.

  "Yeah, dude, you can see for yourself, I take it he'll be on the football field in a few hours, he never skips training, I don't know, he's trying to prove something to himself", Liam spits out in a single breath.

  "Huh, well, I'm not sure if that's smart, I don't know what he'll think about it", Sam says, still feeling alienated. What was his life turning into?

  "I mean, I say you probably should pay him a visit, all of us should", Liam says decisively, "he's been acting like an asshole, ignoring all three of us, and I think it's a prime time we close this chapter, one way or another".

  "Liam, stop being dramatic", Peter says calmly.

  "I'm not, come on, he's been a bitter little bitch to all of us, and we did nothing to him", Liam sighs, "I just want to know where we stand, either he wants us there or he doesn't, let's fuck around and find out".

  "And what if he doesn't want us around anymore", Sam says realising he hates the idea of settling things. Like that guy that put a Meowth in an exlpoding Box, the boy thought, as long as he didn't go and talk to Fred they could still be friends.

  "If he doesn't want us, then that's that, you crush him in a pokemon battle, I give him a few well-chosen words...", Liam shrugs.

  "No", Peter protests, "you're not giving him any chosen words".

  "Have to, I've been choosing them for a bit, they want to come out", Liam says. His voice turning serious he adds: "look, this whole thing lasted for the whole summer, and it's still going on, I for once want to know if he's still our friend, or not".

  "I guess...", Peter says, looking at Sam cautiously, "since you're here for the weekend".

  "Let's just pull the plug on this, now that we're all together again", Liam says firmly, "it's been a slow death for far too long".

  "Right", Sam says reluctantly.

  *****

  Sam remembers the day they were all 8 and decided they want to be pokemon trainers. They were in a kids park, one not too far from Fred's house when a group of wild Shinx came around.

  The pokemon seemed to be scared of them.

  As they make their way towards Twinleaf High School, Sam tries to remember that day.

  Funny things about memories is the way they fade away. He could remember the slides felt cold on that day, Fred had a bright yellow jacket on, Peter had a dumb hat with bear ears. The air smelt like dead leaves but it didn't bother him. Those things he could rember.

  He couldn't remember what went on after that. They somehow managed to get the wild pokemon to play with them. Fred and Sam tried chasing them first. Liam tried talking to them. Liam was the one who got them to come in closer. Then Peter managed to grab one and start petting them.

  Sam knows he grabbed one and made it go on the slide. Poor thing hit the ground and got scared. He basically used Seismic Toss on the thing. It avoided him the rest of the time. He took the one that Peter was playing with and decided to go on the swings with it. That was fun to him, for some reason.

  After a bit, he remembers, Fred started throwing a temper tantrum because Liam and Peter refused to have a pokemon battle. Peter thought it was scary, Liam ignored them all cause he was showing his Shinx how to pass the monkey bars.

  Sam thought it would be fun, so he said yes. It was pretty much always like that. Fred would think of something, Sam would agree to go, and they'd drag the other two into it somehow.

  They had to convince Peter to be a referee, because Liam wanted to be an announcer.

  As soon as they started a battle, Fred yelled out for a Wild Charge.

  They wanted to make the battle look like the ones they've seen on TV.

  Sam ordered his Shinx to use a Flamethrower.

  Fred called him stupid, because Shinx could not use Flamethrower, so Sam called for a Wild Charge of his own.

  Naturally, nothing happened, maybe the two Shinx gave them confused looks. Fred concluded the Shinx are either broken or stupid.

  He told his Shinx to attack. Sam did the same thing.

  It was a stupid memory, Sam knows. He doesn't remember that day in detail. He doesn't even know who won that battle. The battle might've never actually ended at all. Maybe the Shinx got bored, or either him or Fred got mad and quit.

  Only a few things he remembers well.

  The four of them had fun that day. So much fun that, when they got back to Fred's place, they announced they'd become pokemon trainers.

  Other thing he was certain about was that the pokemon in question were Shinx, he remembered that well. Mostly for the fact that they've had the deal they'll all catch a Shinx for themselves when they became trainers.

  As he walked towards the football field, Sam quickly became certain about one more thing about that day. The battle never ended.

  *****

  He spotted Fred almsot immediately, pulling both Peter and Liam behind the bleachers. Liam was right, their friend didn't bother hiding the fact he now owned a pokemon. Instead, he let Shinx run across the field, attacking air with different attacks. Sam couldn't recognise exactly what they were from the distance, but they seemed like Spark and Bite. Shinx would switch between those two attacks, while Fred waved his hands through the air, possibly in an attemp to do some training. He was attacking air, and Sam was not sure what a training regime like that does.

  "Let me have a little chat with him", Liam hissed, trying to leave their hiding spot, but both Sam and Peter held him back.

  "Will you calm down for a moment", Peter whispered, "we can't just jump him like that".

  "Why not?", Liam protests, "you do realise he has a pokemon? We could call the cops on him".

  "We're not doing that", Sam says reluctnantly. It had seemed like too much. Whatever happened, Fred was still their friend. It was, however, surprising that no one has called the cops so far.

  "As I said, there's a whole school club", Liam says, as if he's reading his mind, "principal's son and mayor's daughter are both in it as well, no one's going to call the police on any of them".

  "Some company did Fred get", Peter sighs.

  "We could call the cops, however, what do we have to lose", Liam stays adamant, "I mean, just because no one wants to, doesn't mean it can't be done".

  "Cmon Liam, why would we want to get him in trouble?", Sam retorts.

  "I want to get him out of the trouble, Sam", Liam says sharply, "look at him, he has a superpowered lion-dog thing that shoots lightning, and he's letting it run rampant, he'll get himself killed".

  "It's a Shinx, it's not that dangerous", Sam tries calming him down.

  "It is if you don't know what you're doing", Liam notes.

  "Well, he should probably have something to direct his attacks at", Sam admits.

  "See, I told you", Liam says, "so here's the plan, I try talking to him, if that doesn't work, Sam, you and Yamper beat him in battle, then, I try dimplomacy once again, if that doesn't work, we're calling cops on him".

  "Okay, wait", Sam slows him down, seeing too many flaws in his plan.

  "You're probably not our best diplomat", Peter chimmes in.

  "And we're not calling the police", Sam adds.

  "And how is it safe having him battle Sam?", Peter finishes.

  "Oh, God, you're overthinking this, let's just go with my plan", Liam waves them off, heading away from their hiding spot yet again. Both boys reach for him, but he darts forward, managing to escape them.

  As soon as he steps his foot from behind the bleachers, Liam starts yelling: "Hey, Fred, care for a little chat?". His voice carries over the field, getting drowned out by the open space between them. As Liam walks forward, Sam and Peter have no choice but to follow.

  Fred turns around, his legs glued to the one place he was standing at, as he waits for three of them to come closer. Through racing thoughts, Sam sees him. He hadn't changed much in these two weeks, Sam was not sure what he expected. In front of him, i front of them, stood a boy they had known their entire lives.

  "Hey, buddy, you weren't responding to my texts, so I thought I should find you", Liam says with sharp sweetness as he plants himslef in front of Fred. "Thought I might find you out here", the boy says, pretending to look around the field.

  "What do you want?", Fred raises his eyebrow, not flinching for even a second.

  "Just wanted to see how you are, you know, catching up culture", Liam says mockingly, "Sam's here, by the way".

  "I know", Fred replies shortly. His Shinx inches in closer, nudging at his leg, but Fred pays it no attention.

  "Well, good to know you're informed", Liam clears his throat, "I take it, you couldn't meet your friends because you had to attend to more pressing matters?".

  Sam felt uncomfort buzz in his body, making his legs feel separated from his body. Becoming more awarexhe nervously shifted in place, fixing the necklace that started weighing him down. At least Liam hasn't call Fred a bitch, so things could've been worse off.

  "Yes, thank you for being so understanding", Fred nods, giving Liam a dry smirk.

  "Well, now you're just being a cunt", Liam laughs.

  There he goes.

  "Running your mouth, as always", Fred rolls his eyes, "just leave me alone".

  "No, no", Liam waves him away, stepping in closer, "I came here for one thing, and one thing only".

  "Do tell", Fred retorts, running his hand through his black hair, trying his best to act unbothered.

  "No, you don't get it", Liam says, his voice turning grave-serious, "I'm not here to say anything to you, I'm here so you can say what you have to say to me".

  "I have nothing to say to you", Fred shrugs.

  "Listen here, you little asshole", Fred swiftly reaches grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, "I want you to stop acting like a fucking butt-hurt child, grow some balls and tell us you don't want to be our friend anymore to our faces".

  Fred's face shift, from cold expression into something much sharper. "Okay, if you really need to hear that", his voice comes out flat, "I don't want to be friends with any of you". Liam drops him in a second of silence, and the boy quickly fixes his shirt.

  One would think those words would echo through Sam's mind. They don't. Instead of them, he feels silence waterfalling in every part of his body.

  This is how life happens. All of a sudden, on some random Saturday afternoon.

  But they chased it, didn't they? They came here looking to hear Fred say those words. Sam was sure now, he knew this was the end even before it happened. All he did up until now was running. The Meowth dies when the box explodes, and wheter you chose to look at it or not, the truth still stands.

  "Good, that's all I wanted to know", Liam's voice comes of firm, "next time you leave someone, at least be a man about it". The taller boy turns around to leave, and Sam can tell his eyes were sparking, bearing some sort of anger. He must've known as well.

  "Like I'm the one who left", Fred says behind him.

  "Well, you did", Peter's voice turns into daggers as well.

  "Funny, as far as I can tell, I'm still here, you know", Fred grins, his lips twisting almost beyond the reach of nature, "unlike Sam, who packed up and left, you do realise that".

  "What sort of bullshit are you even spouting", Liam draws out, "Sam at least knows how to respond to a text".

  "Yeah, but he left first", Fred crosses his arms adamantly.

  "Yeah, he got accepted into that school, we're aware, Fred", Liam rolls his eyes, "you butt-hurt about it?".

  "That's besides the point", Fred stands back, his Shinx now cautiosly taking place in front of him.

  "Well, what's your point then?", Liam turns around to face their friend.

  "I'm just saying, if it was me who passed instead of him...", Fred starts.

  "Yeah, figured you'd start about that", Liam cuts him off.

  "If it was me, I wouldn't have gone", Fred's voice raises, "I would've stayed here, we could've all just waited to turn 18 and gone on to our journey together".

  "As far as I can see how good you are at waiting", Peter nods towards the Shinx.

  "Don't give me shit, Pete", Fred scoffs.

  "So, what, you mad that Sam didn't drop the opportunity and stayed here with us?", Liam scoffs, "we didn't ask that from him, and we would never ask that from you".

  "It's not just him", Fred steps in closer, "it's all of you, as soon as that went through you and Peter just decided to go do your own shit you know, as if we never wanted this".

  "Well what do you want us to do ablut it, huh, be bitter little bitches about it for the next 4 years?", Liam yells out, his voice breaking.

  "No, I just want you to say it, you never actually wanted this, none of you did", Fred yells back readily.

  "Fine, fuck you, you cunt, I love basketball, I don't care about pokemon training all that much", Liam laughs almost manicaly, "you happy now? I mean, I thought it would be cool, trying that with my friends, but no, I wasn't super sad when I failed, because, guess what? Life fucking goes on".

  "Great", Fred throws his head back, "that's all I wanted to hear". Scanning through the three boys, his eyes lamd on Sam. "Now, you say it as well", Fred says firmly.

  Making a step forward, Sam wipes the sweat off of his hands. "What do you want me to say?", the boy manages to keep his voice steady. However much all of this dug into his chest, he hated it even more. "I did something you couldn't do", Sam slurs, "doesn't mean it okay for you to ditch all of us, Liam's right, life goes on".

  "Cmon Sam", Liam smiles weakly, "wasn't it me who convinced all of you to try this, did you ever really want this?".

  "I did", Sam coughes up, not even sure where the confidence is coming from.

  "Come on Sam, it was pure luck that put you above me, and we both know it", Liam scoffs, "guess that's why you decided to go, huh, you knew this was the best chance you'd get".

  Thousand things come to Sam's mind. He could scream right now, tell Fred that people at that island are monsters in more ways than one, tell him how unfair he has been, he could even take Liam's example and call him a cunt.

  Instead of all of that, his hand find's Yamper's pokeball. "Let me give you a taste of Old King's", it surprises Sam how even his voice is. He holds his pokeball up for Fred to see. "This is how we settle things", Sam blurts out, "you have to beat me before you start spouting shit".

  The constant bickering of the past two weeks had prepared him for this very moment. He could stand his ground, even if his heart was pumping. And he battled guys much better than Fred anyways. He didn't really want to battle Fred when Liam suggested it, but now, he was burning up from everything. Battling seemed much easier than talking.

  "Huh, do you even here yourself?", Fred laughs, "that's how you do it over there? What are you now, some top secret club member, huh?".

  "Battle me first, then you can say whatever you want", Sam ignores him, keeping his voice calm.

  "Well, if you wanna make a fool of yourself", Fred shrugs, taking a few steps back and nodding for Shinx to stand in front of him.

  "Yo, Sam, good gooing, that was neat bud", Liam grabs at Sam's shoulders and leans in to whisper, "now hand his ass back to him".

  "Right", Sam slaps back at him, focusing at Fred.

  The boy stands across from him, his feet still firmly planted on the ground. Sam realises in a moment, it doesn't really matter. He's home for the weekend. Tomorrow night he'll fly back to the island, and Fred will be far away once again. So will Peter and Liam. It's all different now. He's not sure how he feels about it, but he knows it doesn't matter. Who cares if Fred doesn't want to be their friend anymore? Life goes on.

  "Bolt, let's go", he says, letting Yamper hit the grassy field.

  "Really, you named your pokemon Bolt?", Fred facepalms, "God, you think you'll win like this?".

  "Liam, be a referee", Sam ignores him, as Yamer merrily hits his feet against the grass.

  "Alright", Liam stands in between them, flying his eyes across them. After the silence settles, he storms: "Battle, begin!".

  "Thunderbolt, Bolt", Sam says immediately. He didn't practice this move for nothing. Besides, he's not losing to Fred, he was going to show him those two points weren't pure luck.

  "Dodge it, Shinx", Fred reacts just in time, his partner quickly jumping out of the way.

  He must've gotten some battles in with other kids who had acquired pokemon illegally. Sam was, however, pretty sure Fred wasn't used to a faster pace.

  "Run to the right, hit him again, Thunderbolt", Sam says readily. He practiced this already, running helped Yamper generate electricity, making the Thunderbolt both faster and stronger. Plus moving around made Yamper harder to hit.

  "Dodge it", Fred growls, as his partner tries to get out of the way again. Yamper shoots his second attack, faster, making Shinx's attempt at avoiding it bad.

  Too little damage, Sam notes. Shinx barely felt that. Electric types took on electric types well. And Yamper still lacked a little bit of power. At this rate, it would take him way too long to finish this battle.

  "Charge", Fred yells put.

  Sam lets it go. It doesn't matter, physical electric attacks won't hurt Yamper, and Charge wouldn't help.

  For a second, Sam contemplated going for Bite. But he didn't want Yamper getting close in, with his lack of agility, it would make it easy for Shinx to retaliate with a Bite of his own.

  It crossed his mind, Shinx had Bite. Right? That was the attack he saw from behind the bleachers. It was worth a try.

  "Bite, Bolt", Sam yells out, and Yamper rushes across the field.

  "Spark, Shinx, hit him head on", Fred responds, and his partner makes his way towards Yamper as well.

  "Yamper, cut the attack, dodge to the side", Sam says decisevly.

  "Catch up to him, use Bite", Fred says, realising Shinx can't start the second Spark in time.

  "Stay put Bolt, just take the attack", Sam says. He watches as Shinx tears its teeth into his partner. "Now, Thunderbolt", Sam orders. Yamper gather power as far as he can, hitting back at Shinx.

  "You're not too bright, that won't do much to Shinx", Fred taunts him.

  Sam doesn't care much what Fred things. He did the same thing as well, trying to attack Yamper with Spark. Besides. No talking during a battle.

  "Bite, go again, Bolt", Sam uses the opportunity to connect the second attack.

  "Dodge, hit back with Bite", Fred growls.

  Shinx manages to get out of the way again, snapping his jaw at Yamper. The dog pokemon squels as the lynx digs its teeth into him again.

  "That's enough Bolt", Sam hates seeing his partner take attacks, but this was necassary. "That should be enough, get back, start running", Sam yells readily, "get ready for Thunderbolt".

  "Huh, what", Liam laughs noticing that Yamper's started running in circles after escaping from Shinx. "You just gonna run around now?", the boy protests, "and why do you say what attack you're about to call".

  It doesn't matter if Fred knows what attack will come. Yamper was running around the field faster and faster, more energy gathering around him. Two hits. That's how much it would take to knock Shinx out now. It would've taken him at least 8 at the start of the battle. He almost wants to thank Fred for activating Rattled and raising Yamper's speed. The faster his partner is, the more power he gathers.

  "Stop him", Fred orders, "Bite, Shinx".

  "Thunderbolt, now", Sam says, noticing electricity's started to trickle down Yamper's body.

  As the lynx pokemon rushes in, Yamper surrounds himself in electric energy, shooting a Thunderbolt straight at his opponent.

  "Get through it, attack", Fred yells in retaliation, but Thunderbolt stops

  Shinx dead in its tracks this time, throwing the small pokemon flying back.

  "Good, keep running Bolt", Sam says, feelimg himself brim with excitment, "we need one more Thunderbolt".

  "What was that", Fred yells through gritted teeth, "why did that hit so hard?".

  "You rattled us", Sam can't help answering. "Bolt, hit it, Thunderbolt".

  "Shinx, dodge and retaliate", Fred orders quickly, but it doesn't help. With increased speed, and still very much in element, Yamper shoots the next attack quickly, electryfying his opponent, who ends up falling to the ground, fainted.

  Fred wastes no time in recalling his Shinx. Still keeping his eyes on Sam he walks up to him, stopping a few steps away. "Whatever, I have no idea what you just did", he scoffs, "but fine, I don't care, you had a head start and a pokemon that was professionally bred".

  "Whatever, I won", Sam has had enough of anyone telling him where he was or wasn't supposed to be.

  "If you're happy that you won with a cheap trick", Fred rolls his eyes.

  "It's called an ability, Fred", Sam pays him no attention, looking at Peter and Liam instead. The two approach them, keeping at Sam's side.

  "Fine, then we all got what we wanted", Fred looks over them, "you heard what you wanted to hear, I've heard what I wanted to hear, so I'll be going".

  "You in a rush buddy?", Liam smirks.

  "I was here just for training", Fred says, "no sense in sticking around for that now that my pokemon's been fainted".

  "Not even to talk to your friends", Liam says mockingly.

  "We're not friends", Fred says dryly, "thought we settled that". He walks forwards, in an attempt to leave them behind. "And Sam", he adds, "don't bother notifying me next time you come to visit".

  Right, Sam thinks. He's only visiting here now.

  Silence falls upon the three of them for a moment.

  "I can't believe him", Liam's voice finally falls down, "he could've said it, at least, he could've just been fair about it".

  "Let it go, Liam", Peter says calmly, but Sam can tell this is hurting him as well.

  As for him, he felt nothing at all. He simply didn't care any longer. What was there to care about?

  Even if Fred had gotten over it, it wouldn't matter. Sam would pack up and leave tommorow anyways.

  Having Liam and Peter was nice, he couldn't deny that, but they were not a part of his life the same way they used to be. And he wasn't a part of theirs either. It was only two weeks. Who knows how larger the space between them will grow in the future.

  The battle was over.

  "Hey, guys", Sam says, his voice emtpy, "I think I'll go home now, I'll see you tomorrow".