>fanfiction

	The air was clearer today, more than it had been in previous months. Alex breathed deeply as he woke up, willing himself to get out of his tent and into the open. Sunlight painted green filtered through thick foliage onto the floor of the Eterna Forest. Activity bustled about as breakfast was served, he was late to wake up again.

	"Morning, guys. We should go." Alex reached for the two Poke Balls beside him and opened them. A Gastly and Gible fell out, both energetic for the day. He then moved out and was greeted by a Starmie, who had a plate of roasted berries waiting for him right outside his tent.

	"Henriette? Oh. Thanks a lot." Alex stroked the Starmie a little, a soft humming sound was its only answer.

	"Concerned? We'll be fine. We've planned our route and timing already. Besides, I highly doubt any of them would look for anything around the city now. And where's Alpha?"

	Alex felt a pair of small feet on his head. A butterfree looked at him from on top, chirping a greeting.

	"Alright, that's everyone. Let's eat." All the Pokemon let out cries and began devouring their share of food. As Alex ate he drew the maps and plans he had written over the last night, going through them to make sure he had memorised them.

	"We'll need to eat up well, if any of us get tired later we'll have to cut our trip short, or it might not end at all. We clear?" The Gastly froze in the midst of its meal, startled by Alex's words.

	"...Sorry for being so grim, Ed. But it's true. I've been preparing for this for weeks now so we can get back alright. Come on." Alex prodded Ed the Gastly, who shook herself and continued with her meal, though less enthusiastic than before. He decided to leave the topic alone for now and stayed quiet with his thoughts in the meantime.

	One year ago. It was a week before he'd be given a Pokedex as the start of his journey to explore the region. To become a great Pokemon trainer, just like big sis. That night, he remembered, he was woken up and told to pack his bags for a long way away from home. He and other young trainers from Canalave were corralled off to Eterna Forest and told to hide deep inside for a long, long time. Big sis was with him, though, so he didn't mind. Over the next fortnight there was strange news from the radio. Regular broadcasts were replaced by announcements by Team Rocket, claiming that they were here to conquer the region and already had major cities captured. He didn't see her much, she was flitting about with the older trainers, discussing things.

	One night, she didn't go to bed earlier as she usually did. Alex had a feeling something was up, something that kept him awake no matter how hard he tried to sleep. He kept still as Sis came to him and whispered to him before covering him with a blanket for the last time. Minutes later when he could no longer hear her footsteps, he rushed out to where he heard them, out to the forest's edge. All that was left was her faint silhouette vanishing into the distance while her Starmie blocked his way, pushing him back.
	He had been happy there, but no longer . Alex trained harder than anyone, practicing everything sis had taught him. He wanted to go out and find her, and being strong enough to leave was a first step.

	"...Reee?"

	Alex was shaken out of his thoughts by Alpha, holding a herb in his tiny hands. Everyone else had already finished their breakfast and were looking at him in concern.

	"Looks like I've got to keep my own advice in mind. Thanks. You all go ahead and rest up for now."