Starting your Pokémon journey late was never part of the plan - neither was leaving Professor Oak's lab with an Umbreon who barely tolerates you, or rescuing a small army of Pokémon from a forest fire on your very first night. But that's exactly how it begins. What follows is a journey through gyms, leagues, and hard-won battles, carried forward by a team that chose her just as much as she chose them. Along the way, a secret she's fought to keep hidden threatens to unravel everything - and the one person she least wants to worry is the one who keeps finding her anyway. A story about stubborn hearts, unlikely bonds, and learning that letting someone in isn't the same as losing your footing. Author's Note: Hey everyone! Thank you so much for reading this little story from start to finish - it genuinely means a lot. I do want to apologize for how rushed the ending feels, especially the Johto arc. This story was always meant to be short and sweet rather than a full multi-arc journey, so some things got wrapped up faster than they deserved. I appreciate your patience with it! If the response is good I may revisit certain moments and give them a little more breathing room. Thanks again for coming along for the ride - it was a fun one. 💛