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It all starts on a stage with bright lights and beautiful decorations, sparkling confetti drifting aimlessly to the floor. A prize is being awarded to a young girl, two Zorua poised elegantly at her sides for a camera that will immortalize them for the rest of history for their achievement.

A white and pink coat flowing in a non-existent breeze. Her amber eyes are focused on her trainer's ecstatic face, glad that their hard work has paid off so well. She took a chance in trusting this human, and has never regretted it.

A black and red coat bouncing at the slightest movement, turquoise eyes fixed on the trophy being handed to his trainer. A mark of the mountain of progress they've made since meeting. He is lucky to be here with his trainer.

They all worked hard for this victory. Hundreds of hours, months of falls, sprains, continued practice... Encouraging their bodies to twist, balance and leap in just the right way that they could stun the crowd while generating the sparkles, lights and effects that would shock the crowd just so.

Every failure building upon the last success until everything was perfect, and all they had to do was repeat it on the stage.

"We did it, Yin!" the young girl squeals, picking up the darker one and whirling him in a circle happily, "Look, Yang!" she continues, kneeling with the black Zorua cuddled in her arm, setting the trophy down in front of the white and earning a happy trill from her as she circled the trophy.

Music still played, confetti and streamers still falling on the stage and the audience.

Everything was amazing.

Jerking awake, I groaned and sat up, rubbing my neck where an awkward sleeping position had earned me several painful kinks and tense spots.

"Attention, everyone! We'll shortly be landing in Unova. Please be ready, fasten your seatbelts and expect a slight bump as we hit the runway. Thank you for flying Pidove Air, and we hope you enjoy your stay in Unova."

Right... The flight to Unova. I forgot while I was asleep. There was some weird letter from a guy that claimed to have a trace on my old Pokémon that left when I was thirteen.

Groaning, I pulled the seatbelt closed and rubbed my face. Still so tired... I have to wonder how long its been since I had had a proper night's sleep... It's always nightmares, or just the ever-present emptiness of being alone. I never did have the courage to go catch another Pokémon after they left.

Several minutes later, the seat jolts, and I look out the nearest window to see buildings to the side of the plane. Yeah... We landed.

Standing, I unsteadily walk my way from the center row to the aisle, legs asleep, glad that the flight I chose didn't end up having that many passengers.

Reaching up, I grabbed my carry-on bag from the baggage and head toward the doors, confirming with the flight attendant that I would be hooking up with my next flight the next day.

"Have a nice day, Ms. Camarin!"

Please don't say my name too loud...

"Amile Camarin?! The contest superstar?!"

Aaaand I'm gone. Walking through the path quickly to avoid any further contact with people, trying to retain what little dignity I could.

What good was a Pokémon Contest Star whose pokémon abandoned her soon before her most important contest?

I didn't do something right. Why else would they leave, other than I no longer deserved to be their trainer?

Come back to the beginning, and I will help you understand the fate of your partners, Amile.

Odyssey for Yin and YangWhere stories live. Discover now