Gradient looked around, seeing no sign on a blue guitar, no sign of black hair and eyes, no sign of Jay in general. Had he forgotten? No, Jay seemed pretty desperate. He wouldn't forget.

Gradient decided to climb a tree for a higher view, in hopes of catching Jay. He grabbed a low branch, and hopped on a foothold.

Jay smiled as he saw his friend approaching, climbing the tree. "Hey Gradient." He said, giving a small wave. "Long time no see." Jay said, grinning wide. Gradient just grunted.

"Long time?" He raised an eyebrow. "It's been what, two weeks?" Gradient scoffed. Jay just huffed, pouting.

"Buzzkill." He muttered as Gradient just rolled his eyes. "... Are those Pidgey eggs?" Jay asked, eyes staring at a bird's nest. Gradient hopped down onto the ground, answering Jay's question.

For a second, Jay saw eyes and hair. He bent his knees slightly, hands on guard. He started hopping on his two feet, ready to run, ready to fight. "Who was that?" He asked, raising his voice.

Gradient paused. Was... Star, perhaps? Maybe the Eevee had led Ailla here... No. Yes. His mind said. Gradient sighed. "I dunno. But, I have an idea of who it might be..." He trailed off, before shaking his head. "Anyways, back to you." He told Jay, smiling slightly.

"... One of my close friends got kidnapped by Team Skull grunts." Jay said at last. He refused to meet Gradient's concerned eyes.

"... I thought I was your only friend." Gradient replied, his voice soft. Jay's eyes burned a hole into the ground. "I thought you told me everything."

"... Her name is Ashley." Jay said, finally meeting Gradient's amethyst eyes that were shining with worry, concern, and fury all at once. "We have to help her."

"... Okay."

"Hey, Gradient's right over there, with someone else, I didn't think he had any friends, it doesn't seem like a 'Mr. Perfect' thing to do, but I guess he does have friends, er, I'm getting off topic, wanna invite him to go with us?" Rhys asked, letting his Buizel out of its ball.

Ren and Vul both enjoyed Rhys' petting, but Thomas interrupted " we could, that's up to you " he said shrugging at Rhys " Well what ever your decision we will need to hurry if we want to get anything done." Yuri said excitedly clutching Riolu's paw. " Yep and Aunt Mae has four guest bedrooms so it is not a big deal."Thomas finished running a hand through his hair.

"That's cool, having family so close by, munchlax while family live she back in Unova, except for a a few cousins, but since I moved here the only family's I have around is my parents, even nun siblings stayed back in Unova" Rhys said, somewhat jealous. "But you're right, we should get going" Rhys said.

Ailla listened closely. Before in a bright flash of light skittles hopped out of its ball and ran up to gradient. Knowing full well it was causing trouble. Ailla just shrank back trying to hide as best she could. Skittles ran circles around gradient. Meowing loudly trying to get attention. Ailla hoped thata gradient would forget she had a skitty.

The stranger watched silently. But he almost couldn't contain his laughter at skittles shenanigans. That Pokmon had always been a bit wild. Maby a bit too wild. He'd have to fix that at some point.

" Yeah its good for having a place to stay, but it can be a bit troublesome at times.... and i think we should let pretty boy catch up with his friend, if he is interested i can shoot him the address later" Thomas said before waving his hand in the direction of the woods Yuri bouncing along in front over joyed about their destination, " Come on Rhys! we got quite the walk in the woods be fore we get to the real excitement!." she said beaming with happiness as Vul and Ren sprinted ahead knowing full well where they were going.

"Woah, wait up for me!" Rhys said as he ran after then, buizel at his side. Rhys wasn't exactly the most fit person ever, sure he had to know how to run, but he usually escaped from trouble by weaving through crowds, not running after people.

"Oh! Hey ryhs!" Damion greeted easily catching up.

"Hey Damion, what's up?" Rhys said, struggling to keep up.

Thomas was pacing pleasurably behind Yuri and their Pokemon taking in the afternoon sun. " Oh Hey Damion! "he said turning to him and Rhys "Don't fell like you have to rush she is just over excited." he said sticking his hands in his pockets.