Chapter 33

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="14800640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="mim27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 27"><U>Chapter 27</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 28"><U>Chapter 28</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 29"><U>Chapter 29</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 30"><U>Chapter 30</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 31"><U>Chapter 31</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 32"><U>Chapter 32</U></A>   |   <B>Chapter 33</B>   |   <A HREF="mim34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 34"><U>Chapter 34</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 35"><U>Chapter 35</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 36"><U>Chapter 36</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 37"><U>Chapter 37</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 38"><U>Chapter 38</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 39"><U>Chapter 39</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 40"><U>Chapter 40</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/oldnews.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Old News</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/zrfic/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>My Fanfics</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/zrart/" TARGET="_top" 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TITLE="http://pub46.ezboard.com/beeveesmb"><U><B>Message Board</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Chapter 33</I></div> <div> <B>A Master in the Making: Chapter 33: Of Love and Loss</B></div> <bR> <div>     "Well, Destiny, it seems that your Rattata is doing very well," Nurse Joy said, stroking Dash behind the ears as she said it.  Unsurprisingly, the rodent ducked his head away to avoid her touch.  "He's healed nicely," the nurse continued.  "He'll be battling again in no time."</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny shook her head, "I don't think so.  He's not a battling pokémon.   None of my pokémon are, really, except maybe Eva.  I'm not really a pokémon trainer.  That'd be Zeth's job."</div> <bR> <div>     "There's more than one kind of trainer, you know," Joy said.  "Not just the kind that wins gym battles, but the kind that raises pokémon just for the sake of raising them."</div> <bR> <div>     "I'm not a breeder, either," Destiny responded with a cheerful laugh.  "I just like having pokémon as companions."</div> <bR> <div>     "A pokémon friend," Joy agreed.  "Perhaps the best kind of trainer there is."</div> <bR> <div>     "If you say so," Destiny said, before waving her Rattata off the examination table.  "Go on, Dash.  Go find the other pokémon and have some fun.  I'm going to go see where Zeth is."  Destiny thanked Nurse Joy for checking on Dash's almost-totally-healed injuries, then headed for the pokémon center's dormitory.</div> <bR> <div>     She was just to the center door when she heard Zeth talking with someone.  She quickly recognized the other voice as belonging to Lucy, the girl whose Kecleon Snow and Talon had helped to find two weeks before.  Destiny frowned, remembering how Officer Jenny had told them later that she couldn't arrest the Rockets at the Jade City Zoo, simply because they had no record of criminal activity, and no proof that the Rocket zookeepers were doing or even planning anything illegal.  They had, after all, not kept Lucy's Kecleon, and once the chameleon pokémon was returned, Nurse Joy had given her a thorough checkup and found nothing wrong with her.  Still, Destiny didn't trust the Rockets, and she knew Jenny didn't either.  At the very least, she knew that the police would be keeping a close eye on the zoo.</div> <bR> <div>     Her mind returning to the present, Destiny was turning the doorknob when she suddenly heard a bit of conversation from within the room that made her freeze.  "So, when's Destiny going to find out?" Lucy's voice said, muffled slightly by the closed door.</div> <bR> <div>     "I don't know..." Destiny heard Zeth reply.  Intrigued, she let go of the doorknob and listened carefully.  "Let me think about it...  In the meantime, what do you think she'll think about it?"</div> <bR> <div>     "It's fine, Zeth, don't worry about it."</div> <bR> <div>     Outside the door, Destiny was trying to figure out what they could possibly be talking about in the dorm.  She felt a little guilty for listening in on a conversation that she wasn't supposed to be hearing, but it was just so mysterious.  Inside, Zeth and Lucy continued talking, still having no idea she was there.  "Yeah, I guess you're right," Zeth was saying.  There was silence for a moment, then he spoke again, "Okay, before you go, I have one more thing to ask you.  Are you free tonight at five?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Well, yeah.  But why?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Need I explain?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Ah, of course!  Sure, I'll be there."</div> <bR> <div>     "Great, I'll see you then."  Destiny heard the floor creak as one of the two walked towards the door.  She quickly hurried back a few steps, then started walking down the hall again.</div> <bR> <div>     "Hey, Lucy," she said as she passed the girl leaving the dorm.  "How are you and Lizzy doing?"</div> <bR> <div>     "We're both fine," the other girl replied.  "How about you?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Oh, I'm fine," Destiny said, "It's good to see you." Destiny glanced in the dorm and waved to Zeth, "I'm going to go for a walk, Zeth.  I'll be back in a bit."</div> <bR> <div>     The teen was rummaging through his backpack, but he stopped for a moment to glance up, "Okay.  I'll see you later, then."</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny made a hasty exit, dozens of questions running through her mind.  She was puzzled by their conversation, as they seemed to be hiding something from her, but what could it possibly be?</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Eva had been napping in the sunlight streaming through one of the pokémon center's windows, but she awoke as she heard something enter the room.  Opening one eye, she saw Dash creeping across the floor.  The Rattata looked like he was deep in thought, he didn't even notice the Eevee as he walked past.  {Hey, Dash,} Eva said, yawning as she spoke.  {What's up}</div> <bR> <div>     The Rattata glanced over at her, {Oh, hi Eva.  Nurse Joy just gave me a checkup.  She said I was all better now.}  Surprisingly, Dash looked unhappy as he repeated the nurse's diagnosis.</div> <bR> <div>     Eva frowned, {Then why don't you look happy?  Isn't that a good thing?}</div> <bR> <div>     Dash stared at the floor, {Well, yeah, I guess so.  It's just, now that I'm healed...} the Rattata sighed, {I want to leave, Eva.  I never wanted to have a trainer and travel from city to city.  I just want to have a home, and stay there.}</div> <bR> <div>     The Eevee nodded, {I understand...  Why don't you tell Destiny.  I'm sure she'd let you go like you want.}</div> <bR> <div>     {I know...} Dash agreed.  {But she's been really nice to me ever since she got me, even when I wasn't nice to her.  And I really do like all of you, even though I pretended I didn't.  I feel kind of bad asking to leave when I know Destiny was hoping that I would stay.}</div> <bR> <div>     {She'll understand,} Eva told the Rattata.  {Just tell her what you told me.}</div> <bR> <div>     {I'll try.}  Dash said.  {But I still feel like I'm being a traitor.}</div> <bR> <div>     Eva flashed the Rattata a friendly smile, {It's not easy asking your trainer to let you go.  I know exactly how you feel.  I did the same thing once with Zeth, back when I first met Teak.}</div> <bR> <div>     {You did?} Dash asked, {But then, how come you're still here?}</div> <bR> <div>     {Well, it's a long story,} Eva said.  {Basically, after a series of troublesome events involving the Dragons, Teak and I both decided to stay with Zeth.  Still, I sometimes wonder what our lives would be like if we had stayed.}  The Eevee chuckled, {Probably less exciting, for one thing.}</div> <bR> <div>     {I don't think I'd mind having less excitement,} the Rattata told her.</div> <bR> <div>     {No, you like a quiet, peaceful life.} Eva agreed.  {Well, go ahead and talk to Destiny.  She'll let you go, and probably even find somewhere nice for you to stay.}</div> <bR> <div>     Dash nodded, {That sounds good to me.}</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     {I think it's nice,} Starlight commented to Florio and Lizzy the Kecleon.  The three of them had been on their way back to the pokémon center after having fun with Lizzy and some of her friends.  Then Florio had mentioned Zeth's latest plans, and they had stopped in front of the center as they chatted.</div> <bR> <div>     {Of course it's nice.} Florio chimed in.  {Zeth is always nice...  Well, most of the time, anyway.  I'm just jealous that he has a girlfriend and I don't.}</div> <bR> <div>     {I wouldn't call her a girlfriend,} Star said.  {Not yet, anyway.}</div> <bR> <div>     {Oh, come on, it's obvious} Lizzy told Star.  {I could tell they were meant for each other from the first time I saw them together!}</div> <bR> <div>     "So that's what's going on!"  Destiny's voice suddenly came from right behind them.  Florio yelped and spun around, Star blushed, and Lizzy disappeared for a second in a surprised reflex.  "I don't believe it!  Did everyone but me know about this?"</div> <bR> <div>     {Know about what?} Florio asked, trying to sound as if he had no idea what the girl was talking about.</div> <bR> <div>     "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about," Destiny growled.  "Zeth and Lucy."</div> <bR> <div>     {What about them?}</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny glared at the Ivysaur.  "Go ahead, and play dumb then.  It's bad enough that Zeth didn't tell me he's got himself a girlfriend, but for all you to keep it from me?  I thought we were all better friends than that."</div> <bR> <div>     Florio stuttered, {But.. but...}</div> <bR> <div>     "But nothing, Florio!  I'm not blind and deaf!  I can tell when people and pokémon are trying to keep secrets from me!"</div> <bR> <div>     Star blinked in confusion, {Wait a minute...  You found out?}</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny stared at the three pokémon for a moment, shaking her head in disbelief.  "Yes, I found out!  Did you all really expect me not to?!"</div> <bR> <div>     {And you're...  upset?} Lizzy probed cautiously.  One more glare from Destiny answered her question, {Okay, so you're downright furious...}</div> <bR> <div>     "You bet I am!  What, did you expect me to be jealous?!  I could care less if Zeth wants to date someone, but it'd be nice if everyone wasn't intentionally keeping it a secret from me!" Spinning away, Destiny marched away from them.</div> <bR> <div>     As she passed the pokémon center's doors and continued on down the street, Dash came outside and called to her, {Hey, Destiny?  Can I talk to you for a minute?}</div> <bR> <div>     "Not now, Dash!" She called back, continuing on without even turning to look at him.  The Rattata blinked in surprise, flattening his ears back against his head and looking as if he were wondering if he had done something wrong.</div> <bR> <div>     {Well, uh...  That was unexpected,} Florio said, after Destiny was too far away to hear him.  {I think I need to go talk to Zeth...}</div> <bR> <div>     Lizzy nodded slowly, {Yeah, good idea.  I'll come with you.}  The two pokémon went into the pokémon center, leaving Star and a very confused Dash behind.</div> <bR> <div>     Star walked over to the Rattata, who was watching Destiny disappear down the street.  {Is she mad at me?} he asked as the Clefairy came up behind him.</div> <bR> <div>     {No, not you.} Star told him.  {She was mad at us and Zeth.  It had nothing to do with you.}</div> <bR> <div>     {Okay...  That's a relief,} the Rattata said, turning to look at Star curiously.  {Why was she mad, anyway?}</div> <bR> <div>     {Don't worry about it,} the Clefairy said.  {It's probably better not to get involved at this point.}  Star patted the Rattata on the shoulder.  {So, what did you want to talk to her about anyway?}</div> <bR> <div>     Dash frowned, {Well, it's something that can wait...  At least until she's in a better mood.}</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     {Zeth, we have a problem.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth turned around to find Florio and Lucy's Kecleon walking toward him.  He smiled cheerfully, expecting the Ivysaur to start complaining about something minor, as he usually did when he had a "problem."  "What kind of problem?"</div> <bR> <div>     Florio grinned sheepishly, {The kind where Destiny figures out something's up, listens to things she's not supposed to, jumps to wrong conclusions, and then gets very, very angry.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth's smile vanished, "What?  Angry?  But why would she--"</div> <bR> <div>     {She just came up to us and chewed us out for not telling her that you had a girlfriend,} Lizzy interrupted.  {She said she's very upset that you didn't tell her you liked Lucy and for thinking that she'd be jealous...  Or something like that.}</div> <bR> <div>     {She was too mad to really be understood properly,} Florio agreed.  {I think that was pretty much where she was going, though.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth sighed, "Wonderful...  Just what we needed...  Why didn't you tell her--"</div> <bR> <div>     Florio cut him off, {Tell her what, Zeth?  Even if we had gotten a chance, how am I supposed to convince her that you're not dating Lucy when I can't tell her what you're really up to?}</div> <bR> <div>     "You have a point," Zeth grudgingly acknowledged.</div> <bR> <div>     {What now?} Florio asked.  {Is there something else we can tell her?  I mean, she was really mad.  You think maybe you could fake some kind of messy breakup with Lucy so she feels sorry for you instead of upset?}</div> <bR> <div>     "And risk having her find out that we planned the whole thing?  No thanks.  She's mad enough as it is, Florio.  If she's that upset, we must have really hurt her feelings."</div> <bR> <div>     {Well, we didn't mean to,} Lizzy said.</div> <bR> <div>     {You should tell her the truth,} Florio suggested.</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shook his head, "Not yet..."  A flicker of a smile came back to his face.  "I think I'm going to play along with her, first."</div> <bR> <div>     Florio stared at him in disbelief, {You have some kind of death wish?}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth chuckled, "I hope not."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Spotting Dash curled up under one of the pokémon center's bunk beds, Eva trotted over to him, {Hey, how'd it go?}</div> <bR> <div>     The Rattata peeked out from his resting place, {It didn't...  I didn't get a chance to talk to Destiny.  Not that I didn't try.  She had just had a big argument with some of the other pokémon and didn't want to talk to me.}</div> <bR> <div>     {Well, don't worry about it,} Eva said.  {I'm sure you'll be able to ask her later.}</div> <bR> <div>     {I hope so,} Dash grumbled, {or else I'll never get to leave.}</div> <bR> <div>     The Eevee winked at him, {Would that really be so bad?}</div> <bR> <div>     Dash smiled unexpectedly, {Maybe, but at least I'd be with friends.}</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     {Still no sign of Destiny?} Florio asked Zeth, as he came into the center's waiting room to find only Zeth there.</div> <bR> <div>     "Nope," Zeth responded, glancing at the clock on the wall.  "Quarter to five...  Lucy'll be here soon, but Destiny's still gone.  What about you?  Are you leaving now?"</div> <bR> <div>     The Ivysaur nodded, {Yeah.  I should be back in a couple minutes.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth nodded, then looked out the window again, "Hey, here comes Lucy."</div> <bR> <div>     A moment later, the girl hurried through the doors, looking excited, "Well, is everything ready?"</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shook his head, "Well, yes and no.  There's a little bit of a problem..."</div> <bR> <div>     {And here she comes now,} Florio said, having taken Zeth's place at the window.</div> <bR> <div>     "Whatever she says, let me do the talking," Zeth quickly told Lucy, a moment before Destiny entered the pokémon center.</div> <bR> <div>     "There you are, Zeth." Destiny said as she entered.  Zeth wondered for a moment where else she had expected him to be, but he said nothing.  "Before the two of you go off on your little date, I wanted to talk to you."</div> <bR> <div>     Lucy started to say something, but Zeth quickly interrupted, "Sure, whatever you want."</div> <bR> <div>     {Don't hurt him too much,} Florio joked.</div> <bR> <div>     "Don't you have somewhere to go?" Zeth shot back.</div> <bR> <div>     Florio made a face, {Touchy, aren't we?  Okay, I'm leaving...}</div> <bR> <div>     "And, Florio..." Zeth said as the Ivysaur plodded out of the center, "Get the pink flowers."</div> <bR> <div>     {White's better for a funeral!} the pokémon called back as he left.</div> <bR> <div>     "I don't understand..." Lucy began.</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny held up a hand, "Just a moment with Zeth, if you don't mind.  He's all yours after that."  Pulling Zeth back into the center's dorm, Destiny closed the door behind her.  "Okay, this won't take long."  She waved toward the nearest bunk, "Sit down."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth did as he was told, "So, are you as mad at me as Florio thinks you are?"</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny shook her head, "You mean, are you really going to need those white flowers?  No, I'm not that mad anymore, but I was earlier.  Now I just want to say what I have to say while I'm still relatively calm."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth sighed, "Okay, go ahead."</div> <bR> <div>     "You really hurt me, Zeth," Destiny began, pacing in front of Zeth.  "I thought we were best friends, and yet you decided to start keeping secrets from me."</div> <bR> <div>     "And what gave you the impression that I was dating Lucy and not telling you?" Zeth asked her, stopping her in her tracks.  "I know none of the pokémon said anything to you.  I asked them all about it this afternoon."</div> <bR> <div>     "Well, I..."  Destiny was lost for words for a moment.  "I overheard you talking to her and heard you say you were keeping secrets from me," she finally said.  "And I heard you ask her to meet you here tonight - that sounded like a date to me!  And then I heard Florio say you had a girlfriend.  I'm not stupid.  I can put two and two together."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth frowned, "So here you are, accusing me of keeping secrets from you.  What about you?"</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny scowled at him, feeling some of that anger that she had said was gone coming back, "What about me?"</div> <bR> <div>     "You're the one who was spying on me and Florio," Zeth snapped, jumping to his feet.  "You couldn't possibly have heard that much of our conversations, otherwise!  I never would have expected that from my best friend!"</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny was shocked at the sudden reversal, "But I was only-"</div> <bR> <div>     "-listening in on a conversation that you weren't meant to hear." Zeth finished her sentence.  "And then getting mad at me over something that didn't even concern you.  Since when do I have to come to you whenever I decide I like someone, or have a crush, or go on a date?  You're not my mother, I don't have to tell you every little detail about my love life unless I want to."  Zeth finished his tirade, waiting for her to speak.</div> <bR> <div>     "You're right," she finally acknowledged, staring at the floor.</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth stepped closer to her, wondering if had been a little too hard on her.  "I can't see any reason for you to be this upset about all this, anyway, Dest.  What's really bothering you?"</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny shook her head, "I don't know..."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth patted her shoulder and smiled.  "Maybe a touch of jealousy?" he said, with a touch of humor in his voice.</div> <bR> <div>     "Yeah right," Destiny shot back.  "Why should I be jealous?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Maybe you like me more than you think," Zeth teased her.</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny realized he was joking and rolled her eyes.  "I'm not jealous that you like her more than me."  Then she was quiet for a moment, looking pensive.  "Or maybe I am...  I don't know..."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth extended his hand, "Truce then?"</div> <bR> <div>     She smiled, and shook his hand, "Truce."  Then, Destiny waved her other hand at the door, "Now go on, Lucy's waiting for you."</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shrugged, "Is it okay with you?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Not entirely," Destiny confessed, "But I'll survive."</div> <bR> <div>     "Thanks," Zeth said, and then he was out the door.  Alone in the room, Destiny sat down on the bunk she had told Zeth to sit on, feeling silly.</div> <bR> <div>     {So, are you in a good mood now so I can talk to you?}</div> <bR> <div>     Looking down, Destiny found Dash looking up at her from under the bed.  "Hey, were you here the whole time?"</div> <bR> <div>     {Unfortunately, yes,} the Rattata said, causing Destiny to blush in embarrassment.  {I'm glad that the two of you made up, though.  I wanted to talk to you, and I didn't want you to be already upset.}</div> <bR> <div>     "It's bad news, isn't it..." Destiny sighed, having already had a bad enough day without anything getting worse.</div> <bR> <div>     {Yeah, I guess you could say that.}</div> <bR> <div>     "Well, go ahead and tell me so I can mope around some more."</div> <bR> <div>     Dash took a deep breath, {Well, to put it simply, I want to leave.  I don't care where you let me go, I just want to go.  If you have some place in particular you think I'd like, you can leave me there.}</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny shook her head, "How did I know that's what you were going to ask?"  She closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead with one hand, "Well, I guess I have to let you go, then.  I said I would when I got you, and I try to keep my promises.  I just wish you would stay with us."</div> <bR> <div>     {Yeah, I know,} the Rattata said.  {I wish I could stay too, but I'm not cut out for traveling.  I don't like lots of adventure and danger.  I'm not really interested in going new places.  I'm the kind of pokémon that just wants to have a home and stay there.}</div> <bR> <div>     "This is just not my day..."  She said, then nodded.  "Okay, Dash...  I guess I can send you over to Professor Ivy on Valencia Island.  Then you wouldn't have to go anywhere, and we'd still be able to call you up and talk to you, or send our pokémon over to visit.  You'd also be living on a tropical island.  That's always a good thing."</div> <bR> <div>     {Except during hurricane season,} Dash joked.  {That sounds like it would be perfect, Destiny.}</div> <bR> <div>     "Then it's settled.  You going to stick around for a little while longer and say goodbyes?"</div> <bR> <div>     Dash nodded, {Yeah, I will.  I'll stay until tomorrow.}</div> <bR> <div>     From outside the room, Destiny heard Zeth call, "Hey, Dest?  Could you come here a minute?"</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny stood up, "Okay, Dash, I guess I have to go see what Zeth wants now."</div> <bR> <div>     {I'll come with you,} the Rattata said, jumping into her arms.  Destiny nearly dropped him in surprise, as the Rattata had never let her carry him before.  She thought it was best not to ask what sudden change had come over the pokémon.  It was better to just accept some things without question.</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny walked out of the room and found no one around, "Zeth?" she called.  "Where are you?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Dining room," she heard his voice call back.  Wondering why he didn't just come to her, Destiny walked down the hall and pushed open the door to the dining room.  Immediately a shower of streamers and balloons flew through the air around her as Zeth, Lucy, and all the pokémon in the room shouted "Happy Birthday, Destiny!"</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny's jaw dropped in surprise as her friends stepped away from the table to reveal a cake with white frosting and pink roses covering it.  On top of the cake was written "Happy 15th Birthday, Destiny," and a set of fifteen lit candles ringed the words.  "I don't believe it..." Destiny managed to say.</div> <bR> <div>     "Believe it, Dest." Zeth told her, handing her a present.  "Florio and I started planning this a week ago.  We never expected it to turn into a scandal, though," he added, winking at her.</div> <bR> <div>     "You mean... all this time..."</div> <bR> <div>     "Yep," Zeth confirmed.  "That date I invited Lucy to this morning was really this party for you!"</div> <bR> <div>     "And I spent all day mad at you," Destiny said weakly, feeling silly.  "And I even fought with you about it..."  Then she glanced over at Florio, "So I guess it was me you were referring to as Zeth's girlfriend, then?"</div> <bR> <div>     The Ivysaur blushed, his face turning a dark green.  "I have the right to remain silent," he declared.</div> <bR> <div>     "Too bad you never do," Destiny retorted.  Smiling, she walked over to join her friends.  "Thanks, guys.  I'm just sorry I almost ruined it."</div> <bR> <div>     "Hey, this is no time for regrets," Zeth said, cheerfully.  "Right now we eat cake, and have fun.  Everything else can wait until later."</div> <bR> <div>     "Sounds like a plan."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Destiny finished her cake and tossed the paper plate into the trash can, "Thanks for everything, Zeth.  I didn't expect you to remember my birthday, much less throw a surprise party for me."</div> <bR> <div>     "Well, I'm full of surprises," Zeth told her.  "Here's another one.  Florio, the present!"  The Ivysaur pulled a small package out of his leaves and handed it to Zeth before going back for his second, or perhaps third, piece of cake.  "Here," Zeth said, handing her the present, "this is for you."</div> <bR> <div>     She tore away the wrapping paper to reveal a book, <I>Pokémon Legends.</I>  "I thought you might like that one," Zeth explained.  "It's full of different myths and stories about different kinds of pokémon, especially rare ones.  I had a bookmark in there, too."</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny flipped through the pages, stopping at the marked page.  She chuckled as she looked over that place in the book.  "I wonder what Sani would think of all that?" she asked Zeth as she put the Mew bookmark back and closed the book.</div> <bR> <div>     "I don't know," Zeth said.  "I'm sure some of it's true, but I know she'd get a kick out of a lot of it."</div> <bR> <div>     "I know I will," Destiny agreed.  She set the book down on the table, then smiled at Zeth, "Well, this has been a lot of fun, but can I ask you something?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Sure, anything you want."</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny laughed, "Next time you throw me a surprise party, would you mind telling me about it?"</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth joined his friend in her laughter.  "Sure, Dest.  Whatever you want."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     Dash quietly left the party, hopping up onto a windowsill in the next room over and staring out at the setting sun.</div> <bR> <div>     {You sure look thoughtful,} he heard Starlight say from behind him.  He hadn't noticed the Clefairy follow him, but he was glad she had.</div> <bR> <div>     {I'm leaving tomorrow,} he told the Clefairy.  {Destiny's going to send me to Valencia Island to stay with Professor Ivy.}</div> <bR> <div>     {I'm sorry to hear that,} Star said.  {I like having you around.}</div> <bR> <div>     The Rattata looked back at Star, the pokémon that had cared about him -- who had followed him when he had run away from Destiny, and then brought him back, despite his own stubbornness.  It had only been a month, and yet it seemed like a lifetime ago.  {I'm going to miss you,} Dash admitted.  {You were my best friend here.  I'll probably still see you every now and then, but it won't be the same.}</div> <bR> <div>     Star nodded, {Life's never the same.  I left my parents when I joined up with Destiny and there's pretty much no chance I'll ever be able to see them again.  Still, I remember what they were like, and how much I loved them -- and how much they loved me.  It's not the same, and I miss them, but I've made my choice and there's no going back...  Sometimes I wonder how they're doing...  There's no way for me to find out, of course, but I still wonder...}</div> <bR> <div>     {How do you do it?} Dash asked curiously.  {How do you get by without knowing if the ones you love are safe?}</div> <bR> <div>     Star hopped up on the windowsill by Dash, {Faith...  Faith that they're still doing well.  Faith that nothing bad has happened to them.}</div> <bR> <div>     {That must be hard,} the Rattata said.</div> <bR> <div>     {It is,} Star agreed.  {It is...}  The two of them stayed on the sill for a few more minutes, watching the sun go down, then Star patted Dash on the back.  {Come on, my friend, let's go back to the party.  No need to feel lonely until we actually are.}</div> <bR> <div>     The Clefairy hopped down, heading back for the dining room.  After a short moment, Dash followed.  {Yeah, you're right about that.}  He caught up to the Clefairy, and the two of them walked back to the party together.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>